Boutique Build Australia
Code of Ethics
All staff should act with honesty, sincerity and integrity in their approach to
their work for the Boutique Build Australia.
All staff should behave with integrity, honesty and fairness in all business,
professional and personal relationships.
Staff should not knowingly or recklessly supply any information which is
confidential, or make any statement which they know is misleading, false or
deceptive to a colleague, client of the Boutique Build Australia, or the general
public.
While Boutique Build Australia staff must observe the terms and conditions of
their employment, staff cannot be required to be complicit in any illegal act. If
advised, instructed or encouraged to engage in unlawful activity, they must
decline, and report the matter to a line manager.
Conflicts of interest
Boutique Build Australia staff should both be and appear to be free of any
interest (financial or otherwise) which might be regarded as being in conflict or
incompatible with their integrity and objectivity.
Independence is the cornerstone of objectivity. Both external and internal
parties have a need for credibility of information and action in relation to
Boutique Build Australia activities. Boutique Build Australia management at all
substantive levels seeks credibility and accountability in information and in the
activities of all of its staff. Boutique Build Australia management must be
careful to apply an attitude of professionalism within the bounds of
commercial confidentiality, and should remain independent in fact as well as
independent in appearance.
Accordingly, Boutique Build Australia staff should recognise and avoid
situations which may affect their integrity and objectivity by:
- being cautious of undue benefits or preferential treatment received in
the course of their employment. Such benefits may cloud their
judgement or objectivity
- ensuring Boutique Build Australia facilities or property, information or
resources are used in the best interests of the Boutique Build Australia
community
- guarding against conflicts of interest arising from inappropriate financial
involvement and personal relationships.
The interests of the Boutique Build Australia and the broader community
Boutique Build Australia staff comprises a diverse population of individuals
with differing roles and functions, ethnic and cultural backgrounds and
differential and sometimes complex relationships within the community. For
such a community to function fairly and effectively, due regard must be given
to behaviour which recognises the dignity and privacy of individuals,
enhances fair dealing and representation both in action and perception.
The effective functioning of Boutique Build Australia depends on the mutual
respect required of individuals co-existing within that diverse community and
with its broad clientele, together with the pursuit of an environment
characterised by co-operation, collegiality, impartiality, equity, and financial
responsibility.
Individuals must therefore be accountable for their actions both in a social and
financial sense by:
- clearly establishing their own personal standards and those of the staff
for whom they are responsible and being aware of how these
standards may conflict with tasks they ask others (or themselves are
asked) to do.
This should be in consonance with the Boutique Build Australia’s strategic
intentions, recognising that the Boutique Build Australia has a responsibility
both to its stakeholders and the broader community.
Confidentiality
Boutique Build Australia staff must protect the confidentiality of information
acquired in the course of their work. No staff member should use or disclose
any confidential information to a colleague, client of the Boutique Build
Australia or any other party without specific authority or unless such use or
disclosure is:
- in the normal course of business within the Boutique Build Australia, or
- there is a legal or professional duty to disclose the information.
Staff may acquire confidential information in the course of their employment.
This may take the form of confidential information about staff, customers,
suppliers or other information intended to be confidential. It is important that
this information should not be disclosed to third parties except when consent
has been obtained from the Boutique Build Australia or with the consent of the
other party, when there is a duty to disclose.
Staff members should discuss the matter fully with their immediate superior if
they are in doubt as to whether there exists a right or duty to disclose
confidential information. If the problem cannot be resolved by this action, they
should consult an appropriate higher authority within the Boutique Build
Australia, and/or the Boutique Build Australia’s legal advisors.
Boutique Build Australia staff at all levels should ensure that staff members for
whom they are responsible, are aware of the confidential nature of relevant
information acquired by them in their work, and should inform them of the
need to maintain confidentiality of such information.
Staff members in receipt of confidential information should not use or appear
to use such information to gain personal advantage for themselves or for a
third party.
Technical standards
Boutique Build Australia staff shall carry out their job responsibilities in
accordance with relevant contractual arrangements and/or in accordance with
the technical and professional standards relevant to that work. In this sense,
Boutique Build Australia staff members owe a duty of skill and care to the
Boutique Build Australia.
Fair and honest dealing – objectivity
Boutique Build Australia staff must be fair and must not allow bias or prejudice
to influence or override their objectivity in academic, research, administrative,
business or management matters. Staff should maintain an impartial attitude,
particularly in terms of the equity of individuals (including colleagues) or
groups who may be vulnerable.
Objectivity is an important characteristic of Boutique Build Australia staff. If the
work of a staff member is influenced by dishonesty, prejudice, conflict of
interest or bias, or involves misuse of a Boutique Build Australia position for
personal gain (financial or otherwise), then that staff member cannot meet the
test of objectivity.
The ‘reasonable person’ test is appropriate in determining whether a staff
member has behaved in an objective manner. In other words, whether a
reasonable colleague, knowing all the facts and circumstances, would
conclude that the staff member has acted properly and impartially.
Gifts, benefits and hospitality
- Gifts, benefits or hospitality which are irregular and of nominal value,
used for promotional purposes by the donor and seen as generally
accepted commercial practice (such as a business lunch), may be
accepted.
- Gifts, benefits or hospitality which exceed a nominal amount, must be
declared to the staff member’s line manager and must not be accepted
if in the view of the line manager the acceptance of the gift or gratuity
would compromise objectivity and be seen by the wider community as
likely to influence the staff member in their official capacity.
- Gifts, benefits or hospitality offered as an inducement to place a staff
member under an obligation to purchase goods or services cannot be
accepted.
- Staff must not accept gifts of money.
Ethical behaviour
Boutique Build Australia staff should conduct themselves in a manner which is
consistent with the Boutique Build Australia’s strategic intentions, reputation,
and functions for which it was created under the Boutique Build Australia of
South Australia Act. Staff should refrain from any conduct which might bring
discredit to the Boutique Build Australia.
It is important that colleagues, clients, suppliers and the wider community, be
satisfied that Boutique Build Australia staff are acting fairly, honestly and in
good faith. You should not condone misleading, false or deceptive statements.
The character of staff will be judged by their conduct, real or apparent.
Indicators of personal ethical behaviour
You must not allow dishonesty, personal prejudice or bias to influence you in
the conduct of your employment.
You should not accept gifts, benefits or hospitality if their nature and value
may be seen as compromising your objectivity and influencing you in your
official capacity.
Your actions should be fair, honest, and truthful.
You should avoid actual or perceived conflicts of interest.
You should not condone the use of any statement which is misleading, false
or deceptive.
You should conduct yourself with care and skill, and ensure your actions do
not conflict with the requirements of integrity and objectivity.
You should not use confidential or other information for personal advantage or
for the advantage of another.
Finally
If you would be ashamed if your conduct was reported in a Boutique Build
Australia newsletter or a local newspaper read by friends and colleagues, you
should question whether your behaviour is ethical.