1. Ethics in the Workplace
Office of the Controller
Business and Financial Services

2. Business & Financial Services
BFS is an integral campus and community partner, providing sustainable value-added services and solutions to ensure responsible compliance and stewardship.
Accounts Payable
Travel and Entertainment
BARC (Cashiers, Accounts Receivable, Collections)
General Accounting
Extramural Funds Accounting
Payroll
Purchasing
Contracts and Property
Equipment Management
Office of the Controller

3. Business & Financial Services
Operating Principles
Partner
We partner with the campus and community to deliver solutions that best accomplish our mutual goals.
Serve
We are a service-oriented organization, responsive to our clients’ needs and committed to timely communication and solutions.
Collaborate
We are an inclusive team that develops a shared vision by respecting and incorporating diverse viewpoints.
Adapt
We embrace change in our environment of constantly evolving regulation, policy, and technology.
Sustainable
We consider social, economic, and environmental benefits in our business services and practices.

4. Presentation Goals In support of our mission, our goals today are to:
Raise awareness of UCSB ethical standards
Identify specific areas of concern on campus
Offer tools to help in decision making
Identify campus resources

5. Ethics in the Workplace
Ethics Defined
Ethics in the Workplace

6. Definition of ethics
Relating to what is good or bad, having to do with moral* duty and obligation. 1
*relating to principles of right and wrong
Ethics is not about being better than someone else; it’s about being the best we can be.2 1Webster’s New World Dictionary, 3rd College Edition 2 © 2000 Josephson Institute of Ethics - Reprinted with permission.
In a nutshell, ethics are about doing the right thing.

7. Doing the Right Thing is Important
UCSB is a public institution funded by the State of California with taxpayers dollars.
We have stakeholders with a vested interest in how we manage our resources:
Donors
Funding agencies
Students
Parents
Employees
We have an obligation to make the very best use of our valuable resources.

8. Consequences of Wrongdoing
What are some of the potential consequences?
Negative impact to the UCSB public image
Loss of donor gifts
Impact to contract and grant awarding for research activities
Tarnished department reputation
Difficulty in recruiting the best and brightest students, faculty and staff
Potential criminal or civil investigation
Cost
Resource allocation

9. Ethics in the Workplace
Areas of Concern
Ethics in the Workplace

10. Areas of Concern Travel Best Practice: Think like a taxpayer
Consistently using the maximum daily meal allowance
Requesting meal reimbursement for events where meals are provided
Choosing airfare for the frequent flyer benefits instead of best pricing
Best Practice:
Think like a taxpayer

11. Areas of Concern Conflict of interest
No clear separation between University and private interests/activities
Accepting gifts from vendors
Hiring a friend or relative as an employee or contractor
Best Practice:
Always be above-board when conducting University business.
Remember, perception can be just as bad as the real thing!

12. Areas of Concern Personal use of resources and staff
Office supplies
Equipment
Vehicles
Computers
Personal use of staff
External committee assistance
Travel arrangements
Purchases/errands
Best Practice:
Remember that resources and staff are here to help you do your job

13. Areas of Concern Hiring and staffing practices Best Practice:
Falsifying timekeeping records
Misrepresenting work performance on evaluations
Non-communication of work performance issues to employee
Best Practice:
Be fair and consistent

14. Ethics in the Workplace
Toolbox
Ethics in the Workplace

15. Toolbox Questions to ask
How can you be sure that you are making the right choice?
Think about…
Are my actions legal?
How would a person whose moral judgement I respect perceive my actions?
Will I sleep soundly after making this decision?
How will this decision look in the news?

16. Toolbox
Warning bells
How can you be sure that you are making the right choice?
Listen for the warning bells…
“Well, maybe just this once”
“No one will ever know”
“It sounds too good to be true”
“Everyone does it”
“Audit will never catch it”
“We have always done it this way”

17. Toolbox
Policies
How can you be sure that you are making the right choice?
Check to see if there are any regulations or policies which would restrict choices…
UC System-wide Policy (handout)
UCSB Local Policy (handout)
University of California Statement of Ethical Values and Standards of Ethical Conduct (handout)

18. Toolbox Campus Resources
How can you be sure that you are making the right choice?
Check in with campus subject matter experts
Department Chair
Control Point
Audit and Advisory Services (handout)
Business and Financial Services (handout)

19. Toolbox Confidential Resources
When in a pinch, use campus confidential resources
Whistleblower website or hotline or
Reports may be made anonymously and are protected under UC policy from retaliation
Office of the Ombuds
Confidential, informal, independent, and neutral resource
Provides informal and private consultation
Safe, confidential, and impartial

20. Ethics in the Workplace Recap
Review regulations and policies
Think like a taxpayer
Remember, perception can be just as bad as the real thing
Be fair and consistent
Ask questions and listen to warning bells
Always be above-board when conducting University business
Remember that resources and staff are here to help you do your job
Check in with campus experts

21. Ethics in the Workplace Summary
Do the right thing!

22. Ethics in the Workplace
Questions?
Ethics in the Workplace