Values and ethics: Are our leaders "walking the talk"?

By Vincent DaLuz, Values and Ethics Champion, Chief Audit Executive, March 2013

In my duties as Chief Audit Executive of HRSDC, I take part in many senior management committees and meetings. These meetings give me the opportunity to voice my role as champion of values and ethics and to gauge the pulse of our senior leaders regarding their level of engagement on values and ethics.

So you might be wondering: How are our leaders doing in putting in practice the HRSDC Code of Conduct and heightening awareness of values and ethics in their workplace?

Well, I'm happy to tell you that our leaders are on board! At a recent Corporate Management Committee meeting, we had a robust discussion on how to keep conversations on values and ethics alive. My colleagues' level of commitment was palpable. During the meeting, my colleagues and I expressed our commitment to "walk the talk" by actively living out the Code of Conduct. Assistant deputy ministers have started engaging their branches and regions in discussions on the Code of Conduct, and training their employees by using tools, such as case scenarios. Our managers, team leaders and supervisors have been using the Toolkit for Managers provided by the Office of Values and Ethics, applying advice, suggestions and tips to initiate or continue a dialogue with their employees. We are going even further by exploring mechanisms that will help us track managers' efforts in engaging their employees in dialogues on values and ethics, and report on these efforts.

I hope you feel reassured that, as employees, you can turn to your manager, team leader or supervisor to discuss ethical dilemmas or questions on values and ethics, such as:

• Can I accept a gift from a client?
• Do I have to disclose my intentions before leaving the public service?
• How can I report discrimination or harassment?
• I'm an employee; what are my rights and obligations under the Code?

Remember that you can also consult the tools and resources on the HRSDC Code of Conduct and seek objective, yet personalized guidance on values and ethics from the Office of Values and Ethics, as well as values and ethics regional advisors.

Let's continue the values and ethics discussion to help create the kind of healthy, productive and safe workplace to which we all aspire!