Ambitionin Action

Week 4

Ambition in Action

www.sit.nsw.edu.au

What is ethics?

Ambition in Action

www.sit.nsw.edu.au

Where does ethics come from?

Ambition in Action

www.sit.nsw.edu.au

What affects our ethics?

Ambition in Action

www.sit.nsw.edu.au

Do people have different ethics?

Ethics - What ought

one to do?

Greek Philosopher - Socrates

Ambition in Action

www.sit.nsw.edu.au

What is ethics about?

/ Relationships

/ struggling to develop a well-informed

conscience

/ being true to the idea of who we are and what

we stand for

/ having the courage to explore difficult questions

/ accepting the cost

Ambition in Action

www.sit.nsw.edu.au

Understanding ethics

/ Ethics is a matter of practical concern

/ Ethics is not the same as morality

/ Making ethical decisions

/ Ethics is about relationships

Ambition in Action

www.sit.nsw.edu.au

Ethics and morality

Ambition in Action

www.sit.nsw.edu.au

Ethics and values in the public sector

/ Working for the government means you have an

obligation to the public.

/ It requires standards of professional behaviour from

employees that promote and maintain public

confidence and trust in the work of Government

departments.

Ambition in Action

www.sit.nsw.edu.au

Legislation in the public sector

The legislation relating to performance,

conduct and ethics are:

/ Public Service Act 1999

/ Public Sector Employment and Management Act

2002

Ambition in Action

www.sit.nsw.edu.au

Objectives of NSW Act

/ To maintain appropriate standards of conduct and

work-related performance in the public service

/ To protect and enhance the integrity and

reputation of the public service; and

/ To ensure that the public interest is protected.

Ambition in Action

www.sit.nsw.edu.au

Interpreting legislation

/ Respect for people

/ Integrity and public interest

/ Responsive service

/ Economy and efficiency

/ Ethical decision making

/ Dealing with conflicts of interest

/ Acceptance of gifts or benefits

/ Discrimination and harassment

Ambition in Action

www.sit.nsw.edu.au

Interpreting legislation

/ Fairness and equity

/ Public comment on the work of the department

/ Protecting confidential information

/ Use of official facilities and equipment

/ Political and community participation

/ Reporting corrupt conduct, maladministration and

waste

Ambition in Action

www.sit.nsw.edu.au

Standards and guidelines

Ambition in Action

www.sit.nsw.edu.au

Ethical dilemmas