Application
This unit describes the skills required to contribute to an ethical workplace and participate in ethical decision making.
This unit applies to those working in public sector roles but may be applied to anyone working in a similar organisational context.
The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.
Those undertaking this unit would generally work independently and as part of a team, where they may have some supervisory responsibilities. They would perform complex tasks in a range of familiar contexts.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section. |
1. Contribute to an ethical workplace | 1.1 Access, interpret and apply information on ethical values. 1.2 Discuss and confirm application of ethical values and principle with senior management and colleagues to ensure common understanding and application. 1.3 Assist others to access and use public sector ethics legislation and guidelines to ensure compliance with requirements. 1.4 Explain the differences between ethics and personal beliefs to others to encourage understanding and compliance with the principles of procedural fairness. 1.5 Identify and discuss with work colleagues hypothetical work practices that would constitute unethical conduct including strategies to avoid or deal with them. |
2. Participate in ethical decision-making | 2.1 Identify real and potential ethical problems, and the decision-making processes used to resolve or refer them. 2.2 Monitor and access information to ensure currency in ethical knowledge. 2.3 Develop judgment through involvement in workplace discussions or ongoing professional development related to ethical standards and practices. 2.4 Support staff to contribute to ethical discussions and problem-solving. 2.5 Use processes for preventing and reporting unethical conduct and assist others in their application. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. The candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion:
accessing legislation and codes of ethics electronically or in hard copy
applying objective and impartial evaluation of ethical problems
preparing written reports that contain information that is impartial, substantiated, accurate and complete
adjusting communication methods to suit different audiences
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.
the nature of public sector ethics and ethical values as opposed to personal beliefs/value systems
fundamental ethical principles including at least one of:
natural justice
procedural fairness
respect for persons
responsible care
equal employment opportunity, equity and diversity principles
procedures and protocols for reporting unethical conduct
Assessment Conditions
This unit contains no specific industry-mandated assessment conditions. Guidance on suggested and recommended conditions and methods can be found in the Implementation Guide.
Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
The foundation skills demands of this unit have been mapped for alignment with the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). The following tables outline the performance levels indicated for successful attainment of the unit.
Further information on ACSF and the foundation skills underpinning this unit can be found in the Foundation Skills Guide on the GSA website.
Competency Field
Ethics