This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for applying ethical conduct and accountability required in those working in government employment.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Contribute to an ethical public sector workplace

1.1 Information on the ethical values and principles of the workplace is accessed, its interpretation confirmed with others and applied accordingly

1.2 Application of ethical values and principles is discussed with senior management and colleagues to ensure common understanding and application

1.3 Others are assisted to access and use public sector ethics legislation and guidelines to ensure their work practices comply with requirements

1.4 The differences between public sector ethics/values and personal beliefs/values are explained to others to encourage understanding and compliance

1.5 Hypothetical work practices that would constitute unethical conduct are identified and discussed with work colleagues, and strategies to avoid or deal with them are identified in accordance with organisational policy and procedures

2. Participate in ethical decision making

2.1 Real and potential ethical problems are identified, and decision making processes are used to resolve or refer them in accordance with organisational policy and procedures

2.2 Information is regularly accessed to ensure currency in ethical knowledge, and ethical judgment is developed through involvement in workplace discussions or ongoing professional development related to ethical standards and practices

2.3 Other staff are supported as necessary to contribute to ethical discussions and problem solving to develop their ethical judgment

2.4 Processes for preventing and reporting unethical conduct are used and others are assisted in their application

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required skills:

accessing legislation and codes of ethics electronically or in hard copy

reading complex and formal documents such as legislation and codes of ethics, applying them and assisting others to apply them to work practices

applying objective and impartial evaluation of ethical problems

using participative ethical decision making/problem solving

preparing written reports that contain information that is impartial, substantiated, accurate and complete

responding to diversity, including gender and disability

adjusting communication to suit different audiences

applying occupational health and safety procedures relating to ethical work practices

Required knowledge:

Look for evidence that confirms knowledge and understanding of:

the nature of public sector ethics and ethical values as opposed to personal beliefs/value systems

fundamental ethical principles such as justice, respect for persons and responsible care

other ethics standards such as professional standards

natural justice/procedural fairness

equal employment opportunity, equity and diversity principles

ethical decision making/problem solving models

procedures and protocols for reporting unethical conduct

environmental and occupational health and safety procedures relating to ethical work practice

The Evidence Guide specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole. It must be read in conjunction with the Unit descriptor, Performance Criteria, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package.

Units to be assessed together

Pre-requisite unitsthat must be achieved prior to this unit:Nil

Co-requisite unitsthat must be assessed with this unit:Nil

Co-assessed units that may be assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include, but are not limited to, a range of (2 or more) generalist or specialist units of competency in the Certificate IV in Government. Choice from the following units is recommended:

PSPGOV402B Deliver and monitor service to clients

PSPGOV403B Use resources to achieve work unit goals

PSPGOV406B Gather and analyse information

PSPGOV408A Value diversity

PSPGOV411A Deal with conflict

PSPGOV412A Use advanced workplace communication strategies

PSPGOV414A Provide workplace mentoring

PSPGOV422A Apply government processes

PSPLEGN401A Encourage compliance with legislation in the public sector

PSPPROC409A Receive and select offers

PSPREG407B Produce formal record of interview

PSPREG410B Give evidence

Overview of evidence requirements

In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms:

the knowledge requirements of this unit

the skill requirements of this unit

application of Employability Skills as they relate to this unit

ethical conduct demonstrated and supported in others in a range of (3 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time) where contexts include generalist or specialist work activities such as applying government processes, delivering and monitoring services to clients, using resources, conducting interviews, giving evidence, awarding contracts, etc

Resources required to carry out assessment

These resources include:

ethics-related legislation and guidelines

codes of conduct and codes of ethics

public sector standards, procedures and protocols

ethical decision making models

Where and how to assess evidence

Valid assessment of this unit requires:

a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when working ethically in a public sector environment, including coping with ambiguity, difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine

ethical conduct demonstrated and supported in others in a range of (3 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time) where contexts include generalist or specialist work activities such as applying government processes, delivering and monitoring services to clients, using resources, conducting interviews, giving evidence, awarding contracts, etc

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of particular groups, such as:

people with disabilities

people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

women

young people

older people

people in rural and remote locations

Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this competency may include, but are not limited to, a combination of 2 or more of:

case studies

portfolios

questioning

scenarios

simulation or role plays

authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses

For consistency of assessment

Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments

The Range Statement provides information about the context in which the unit of competency is carried out. The variables cater for differences between States and Territories and the Commonwealth, and between organisations and workplaces. They allow for different work requirements, work practices and knowledge. The Range Statement also provides a focus for assessment. It relates to the unit as a whole. Text in italics in the Performance Criteria is explained here.

Ethical values and principlesmay include

respect for the law

integrity

objectivity

accountability

honesty

openness

responsibility

impartiality

diligence

trustworthiness

confidentiality

respect for persons

responsible care

probity

economy and efficiency

natural justice/procedural fairness, that is:

the right to be heard/put your case

the right to be informed of a complaint or case against you

the right to know reasons for decisions affecting you

the right to know the outcomes/recommendations of an investigation involving you

the right to privacy

the right to representation

the right to silence

the decision maker should not be a judge in his/her own cause

Othersmay include

colleagues

supervised staff

contractors

Legislation and guidelinesmay include

legislation for public sector management

freedom of information

privacy legislation

equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination law

public sector standards

Ministerial directions

State/Territory/Commonwealth codes of ethics

organisational codes for conduct/ethics

organisational mission and values statements

organisational policy, procedures/guidelines

government policy

professional codes of ethics and conduct

equity guidelines, organisational workplace diversity guidelines

Unethical conductmay include

fraud, corruption, maladministration and waste

unauthorised access to and/or use of information, money/finances, vehicles, equipment, resources, time

improper actions during contractual processes, such as release of intellectual property, infringing copyright, release of tender information, inappropriate disclosure during tender process

improper public comment on matters relating to the government and/or the organisation

falsifying records

giving false testimonials

dishonesty

improper use of plant and equipment, credit cards, frequent flyer points, telephones, email and Internet

extravagant or wasteful practices

personal favours

preferential treatment

putting barriers in place, hindering, blocking action

compromising behaviour including sexual harassment

lack of confidentiality

directing others to act unethically

oppressive/coercive management decisions

resorting to illegality to obtain evidence

Ethical problems which may need to be referred rather than resolved at this levelmay include

conflict between public sector standards and personal values

conflict between public sector standards and other standards such as professional standards

conflict between public sector standards and directions of a senior officer or Minister

tension between two 'rights' - for example, the right to privacy versus the right to freedom of information

conflict regarding issues of personal and organisational intellectual property

Referrals of ethical problemsmay be made to

line management

human resources

workplace relations officer

grievance officer

chief executive officer

public service commissioner

public sector standards body

organisational ethics committee

internal grievance mechanisms

confidant programs (whistleblower protection programs)

organisational professional reporting procedures

unions and professional bodies

ombudsman

Ethics and Accountability

This unit contains employability skills.