PP110: Ethics and Public Administration Faculty Sheila Toppin, DPA (abd), MPA

Welcome to the Class Greetings Availability ◦ Office hours: Sunday & Tuesdays 7:00 to 9:00 pm EST (AIM ID: Sheila Toppin, by telephone) ◦ Appointments: call or send an message Warm-up Questions???

Course & Syllabus Reminders Units (10 weeks), Wednesday to Tuesday Discussion Board – 1 to 2 discussions per Unit, Wednesday to Tuesday MST Weekly Quizzes – Complete by Tuesday 12:00 midnight Midterm Exam – Due End of Unit 5 (11/23) Announcements: Informational & Reminders Questions????

Course & Syllabus Reminders Holiday Break: Thanksgiving, 11/ /27 No Seminar on Sunday, 11/20/11 & 11/27/11 Last day to request an Incomplete: Tuesday, 12/13/11 (end of Unit 8). Last day of class: Saturday, 12/24/11. Seminar : ◦ Cap & tassel icon denotes important information for assignments & quizzes. ◦ Seminar Alternate assignments due within 1 week of missed seminar. Archive available 4 hours after seminar concludes.

Unit 4 & 5 To-Do List Readings (E-Book Chapters & Links) Discussion Board (1 Topic) Quiz (Due end of Unit 4) Midterm Exam (Due end of Unit 5) Assignment (Due end of Unit 5) (See the To-Do Checklist PDF that is available in the classroom to keep track each Unit)

Unit 4 & 5 To Do List Con’t. Assignment: Woodbee Industries Due end of Unit 5 (Tuesday, 11/22/11) 2-4 pages applying the Ethical Problem Solving Model Resources: Assignment outline, Svara Chapter 7 Include the three ethical approaches Virtue based (what would a good person do in this situation) Principle based (what principles apply to this situation) Results oriented (how do you promote the best consequences) Use APA format to credit sources (in-text and Reference page).

Unit 4 & 5 To-Do List Midterm Exam 40 multiple choice questions, worth 2 points each. 60 minutes to complete the quiz. You may only enter the quiz once. Comprehensive ◦ E-Book Readings & Unit Guides ◦ Seminar Archives for Units 1 - 4

Questions? Any other questions about the syllabus? Any other questions about what you are to do in Unit 4? Any other questions?

Unit 4 Seminar Topics Observe national ethics trends Discuss the purpose of and challenges with codes of ethics Identify issues in developing code of ethics Discuss procedures for handling violations & sanctions Case Study Analysis

2007 National Government Ethics Survey 69% of government employees saw at least one form of misconduct in the last 12 months. 30% of misconduct across government goes unreported to management. 25% of employees work in an environment conducive to misconduct. More than 33% of government employees believe government does not demonstrate its values through socially responsible decision- making.

2007 National Government Ethics Survey Government Level Differences Observed Misconduct - Lowest within the federal government (52%) and highest in local governments (63%), and 57% for state governments. Implemented Ethics & Compliance Plan: ◦ 30% of Federal organizations ◦ 41% of State organizations Local governments have highest level of underreporting (67%), the highest pressure to commit misconduct (16%), and the highest levels of retaliation for those employees who do report (20%).

Why do organizations have codes of ethics? The code is a signal to those outside the association as to what the basic standards of the association are. The code may clarify and ethical question for those covered by it. It gives a good basis upon which to build an ethical organization. Codes of ethics for government and nonprofit organizations are clearly more than a set of instructions!!!

Criticisms & Challenges Traditional view of ethics (roots in business world): ◦ “low road” of compliance -- stay out of trouble ◦ prevention of fraud, waste, abuse Contemporary view of ethics ◦ “high road” of moral reasoning, integrity, justice, leadership, ◦ integrity/moral reasoning/leadership/justice ◦ accomplishment of public good ◦ Responsible use of increased administrative discretion

Purpose Codes of ethics should… state what the people working under the code can and cannot do. state what their obligations and responsibilities are. take into consideration the virtues and personal qualities of the people and the organization. Questions???

Criticisms & Challenges In Non-government organizations (non- profits) Time, resources and energy are usually spent on the development process, but many organizations fail to implement and maintain the code. Change management is needed for implementation to overcome potential resistance from staff whose work will be altered by the new standards.

Criticisms & Challenges Private Sector (Businesses) standards: Do not address the range of a company’s business activities, especially its principal ones. Are not clearly linked with the company’s principal business objectives and culture. Are not effectively linked to concepts of business integrity.

Criticisms & Challenges Private Sector Con’t. Set the wrong tone, perhaps one that is too legalistic or too vague. Contain the wrong degree of detail regarding expectations. Do not address the realities of conducting business. Do not provide employees with effective ways to address business challenges.

Developing Code of Ethics Should contain ethical rules that prohibit certain types of activities or behaviors are known as don’t statements. Should contain wording that requires reflection or judgment. Should rely on tenets from other codes. Should include rules regarding aspirations, as those would not benefit the individual not the organization. Questions???

Violations All governmental agencies and most nonprofit organization have enforcement and complaint processes available to deal with possible violations of their ethical codes. Ethics Review Procedures ◦ Agency leadership (Ethics Officer) ◦ Ethics Committee or Board ◦ Ethics Ruling

Violations Ethics Review Procedures Organizational culture should be conducive for ethical complaints. Due process within the organization Right to be heard and defend against an alleged violation Types of sanctions available to the governmental unit or nonprofit organization vary.

Violations Ethics Committees seek input from outside sources who are interested in the issue under consideration: ◦ Public Participation - Citizens ◦ Interagency Representation – members from another office/department

Sanctions If a violation of an ethical rule is found, there may be sanctions imposed upon the violators. Factors that may be considered in determining the kind of sanction that will apply when a violation of an ethical rule is found include ◦ Nature and willfulness of the violation ◦ Prior violations by the same individual ◦ Level of professional or public responsibility of the individual Questions???

Penn State University’s Sexual Abuse Scandal Case Study Grand Jury investigation – Defendant Gerald Sandusky Sexual assault of 8 minor males from 1998 to 2008 Sandusky retired from Penn State in 1999 and from The Second Mile non-profit in 2008) Disclosure of Wrongful Conduct Policy Sexual Assault Policy Apply the Ethics Problem Solving Model 1) Description – What? 2) Analysis – Facts? 3) Decision – Outcome?

Unit 4 Seminar Summary Observed national ethics trends Discussed the purpose of and challenges with codes of ethics Identified issues in developing code of ethics Discussed procedures for handling violations & sanctions Case Study – Penn State Sex Abuse Scandal Final Questions??? Dismissal