Recommendation: The best way to preserve the “public trust” and steer clear of ethical controversy is for Members and staff to know what the rules are and to examine every ethics rule with an eye to understanding its underlying principle.
Recommendation: Use the ethics committee as a resource, before you get in trouble.
Recommendation: Develop clear written policies for how staff are to handle common ethical issues.
Recognize that the Member sets the ethical tone in the office.Recommendation: Consciously set a high ethical tone that conveys that the end does not justify the means.
Recognize the reluctance of staff to raise issues and question decisions on ethical grounds.Recommendation: Create policies and practices that give staff license to raise ethical questions with other staff, with the Chief of Staff, and with the Member.
Recognize that good ethics frequently conflict with the politically expedient and balancing the two is a complex, sometimes time-consuming, process.Recommendation: Offices should develop processes that incorporate ethical considerations into the normal decision-making process.
For More Information
Review the page on "Top Four Areas of Ethical Risk," the ethics chapter in Setting Course, and/or contact us.
