The Code of Conduct, Research Paper Example

The Code of Conduct (the “Code”) for the ECG committee applies to all members, these codes of conducts reflect the general expectation of the board members from their ECG members and these codes apply to everyone in the group.

Preamble

In accordance with the provisions of the ECG, it is imperative that the members of the group conduct their businesses in an ethical manner with the view of earning and maintaining the confidences of the parities involved.

The codes provides a framework upon which the ethical consideration of the committee members integrity are based and upheld, it is thereby the expectation of the board that the members behaviors are aligned to these codes. The members are expected to use the spirit behind these codes to guide they conducts and so members must exercise care and due diligence in the course of their association with the board (Gini, 2005).

The Core Values

1. Members must act with integrity and impartiality
2. Members must in all circumstances demonstrate accountability and respect. Members act with impartiality and integrity.
3. Professionalism in handling all the group activities and assignments

Guiding principles

The behaviour and decision of the board must be guided by these principles:

1. The actions and the decisions made by the group members must be in the best interest of the people concerned
2. The members must be responsible stewards of all the resources held by the board
3. The must are responsible for upholding the boards mandate in their service of the general interest of the people concerned
4. Members must always act in good faith and never place their private interest above the interest of the board.
5. Must behave in a manner that demonstrates equity and reason in all their actions and circumstances
6. Whenever a member of the group is subjects to more that one code of conducts it is reasonable that the individual considers the expectation in all codes
7. Members must note that any breach ofd these codes will be subjects to disciplinary actions from the board against the defaulter that may include removal of the member or final termination of the individuals membership from the group
8. The group members must accept the responsibility for their action
9. The member must continually seek to enhance their action and professional capabilities
10. Members must always encourage other in the group to act in a professional and ethical manner.
11. Member must always maintain a higher standard of professional integrity and conduct
12. Members must always be their brother keeper thus any kind of selfish motives shall be subjected to through punishment (Goodin, 1985).

Reporting a Potential Breach

Members of the board and group are encourages to report any form of potential breach of the codes of conducts by their group members, any breach must be reported in good faith and the reporters will be protected from any kind of retaliation for reporting breaches as it is done on reasonable grounds (French, 1984).

The members however, are encourage d to report breaches in writing to enable documentation of the breaches

Reponses to potential breaches

Once breaches are reported the procedures laid down by the board for managing and averting potential breaches will be initiated and followed to the later. The alleged member of the group will be notified

It is however imperative to note the alleged member has the right to complete information as well as to respond to the potential breach

The code administrator will make decision and complete a report of the actual review of the circumstances of the breach in time

Consequences of a Breach

The members who fail to comply with the regulation and standards of behavior indicated in this code of conduct or take part in decisions and or actions geared at furthering their private interest will be removed from the group

Review of a Decision

Members who would like the board to review the decision made by the code administrator will be required to do so in writing to the board Members requesting the ethics commission to review the decision about an apparent breach or real breach of the codes that may incude a conflict of interest involving the board member

Disciplinary actions

1. The disciplinary actions for any wrong act or activity within the group include and not limited to private reprimand, censure in addition to damages that must be met by the individual concerned within the stipulated time of 24 hours.
2.  Membership probation for a predetermined period which may include any other appropriate conditions or directives.
3.  Termination of the individual’s membership and or expulsion from the group as their actions may compromise the integrity of the group members (Baumhart, 1961).

Appeals

Ground for appeal

1. Procedural error: when the ethics committee misapplied the rues in a manner likely to prejudice the individual
2. Misapplication of the code of conducts: whenever the ethics committee misapplied the provision of the member’s standard of conducts that prejudiced the party making an appeal
3. Contrary to the presented information: whenever the facts presented are not true to the best knowledge of the appealing party, the individual has a right to appeal to the ethics committee for review of the decision made

The role of the ethics review committee

1. The ethics review committee shall be charged with the investigation of any reported breach or action that is not inline with the expectation and regulations of the committee
2. The ethics committee in association with the code administrator shall determine the right punishment for any form of breach that shall be meted upon the breaching party
3. The ethics review committee shall also set the right date for hearing any appeal made by the alleged breach
4. The ethics committee shall also revise the codes of conducts as deemed fit by the members of the board in accordance to the predetermined provisions
5. The ethics committee shall also be responsible for the determination of proper standards of behavior in lieu of the requirement of board and at all time uphold the interest of the board above their personal interest.
6. Privacy: The ethics review boards efforts must also be a positive boosts to the group members, as they must integrate the contribution of the group member members in combating breaches of the codes of standard behavior. However, the ethics commission must also know the level of risks the whistle blower is at as the whistle blower is likely to be mistreated by the breaching parties. It is the duty of the ethics committee to protect the whistle blower at al time

References

Baumhart, R., (1961). “How Ethical are Businessmen?” Harvard Business Review 39(4).

French, P. A., (1984). Collective and Corporate Responsibility. N Y: Columbia Univ. Press.

Gini, A., (2005). Case Studies in Business Ethics. N.J.: Prentice Hall.

Goodin, R.E., (1985). Protecting the Vulnerable, Chicago: of Chicago Univ. Press.