Ethics and Integrity

• These notes cover ethics and integrity issues, corruption, ethical principles, public sector ethics and governance, policy frameworks, ethical leadership, training, codes of conduct, transparency, and the Caribbean context.

Ethics Issues

• Actions should conform to accepted moral standards or codes of conduct, including professional ethics.
• Assessing what is right or wrong, good or bad behavior is a part of this.
• Truthfulness, transparency, and accuracy are vital in communications and actions.
• Do not engage in deception or misinformation.
• Individuals and organizations should recognize and fulfill their ethical responsibilities and duties.
• Act in the public interest rather than for personal gain.
• Disclose and properly manage situations where personal interests may conflict with professional duties.
• Decisions and actions should be fair to all stakeholders, without discrimination or unjust harm.

Integrity Issues

• Alignment between stated values and actual behavior, including consistent adherence to moral, ethical, and professional standards is important.
• Act ethically even when it requires personal sacrifice or when no one is watching.
• Avoid hypocrisy by ensuring consistency between words and actions to maintain authenticity and trustworthiness.
• Openness about decisions and readiness to be held accountable for actions taken, including proper record-keeping and disclosure of interests are a must.
• Handle sensitive information appropriately and avoid exploiting it for personal gain.

Corruption Issues

• Avoid abuse of position or authority for personal or organizational advantage.
• Avoid offering or accepting inducements, favoritism towards family or friends in appointments, contracts, or benefits.
• Do not engage in illegal or unethical diversion of resources for unauthorized uses.
• Favoring certain individuals or groups for political or personal reasons over merit is considered patronage and cronyism
• Consider whether corruption stems from individual wrongdoing or is embedded in institutional practices and norms.
• Watch for proper checks and balances, adequate political channels, or strong leadership to avoid corruption.
• Low salaries, lack of work ethic, inequity, and societal acceptance can contribute to corrupt behavior.

Additional Ethical Principles

• Act solely in the public interest without seeking personal financial or material gain.
• Make decisions based on merit and facts rather than bias or external influence.
• Be transparent about decisions and actions, providing reasons for restricting information only when necessary.
• Disclose any private interests that could affect impartiality and take steps to resolve such conflicts.
• Promote ethical standards through personal conduct and encourage others to do the same.

Public Sector Definition and Responsibilities

• Includes all government arms: civil service, police, army, teachers, and state enterprises.
• Responsibilities include social security, urban planning, national defense, health, education, and infrastructure provision.
• It interfaces with politicians, citizens, civil society, and private businesses to deliver goods and services.

Public Sector Ethics and Governance

• Ethics are integral to good governance, focusing on professional ethics of civil servants and politicians.
• Ethical principles guide better decision-making and evaluation of public officials' actions.
• Discussions are evolving to include contextual factors influencing behavior in public service.

Strengthening Policy and Legal Frameworks

• Strong policies and legal frameworks are essential to enforce ethical conduct.
• Governments should implement comprehensive codes of ethics covering conflicts of interest, transparency, accountability, and impartiality.
• Legal measures must criminalize corruption, bribery, and abuse of power.
• Whistleblower protections and financial disclosure laws are also a must.
• Independent bodies should oversee compliance and investigate misconduct.
• Laws and policies need regular updates to address emerging challenges like digital governance and cybersecurity.

Promoting Ethical Leadership and Organizational Culture

• Leaders must model integrity, fairness, and accountability.
• Prioritize public interest over political gain and foster open, accountable work environments.
• Organizational culture must embed ethical values in hiring, promotions, and performance evaluations.
• Have zero tolerance for corruption and protection for employees who raise ethical concerns.

Enhancing Ethics Training and Capacity Building

• Continuous ethics education is mandatory for public servants to handle dilemmas and conflicts responsibly.
• Mentorship programs pairing junior staff with ethical role models reinforce integrity.
• Regular refresher courses keep officials updated on evolving standards and legal requirements.
• Capacity building strengthens individual and institutional accountability and trustworthiness.

Codes of Conduct

• Codes of conduct define expected behaviors and responsibilities, contributing to stakeholder welfare and respecting constituent rights.
• Public officials must report unethical or unlawful demands and manage public resources responsibly.

Transparency

• transparency means providing timely, reliable access to information for stakeholders.
• linked closely to accountability and is an ethical imperative.
• Involves openness about decision-making processes and government finances.
• Citizens need access to information on revenues and expenditures to hold governments accountable for public service delivery.

Civil Service Commission Procedures and Accountability

• Civil Service Commissions have formal procedures for documenting meetings, investigations, rulings, and appeals related to employee conduct, suspensions, and demotions.
• Commission members can resign, or be removed for misconduct; replacements are appointed by the City Manager.
• Suspensions and disciplinary actions follow strict compliance with legal codes and personnel rules, ensuring due process and fairness in public employment.

Civil Service Code of Standards and Behavior

• Delivers government service based on integrity, impartiality, effectiveness, equity, and accountability.
• Civil servants must serve the government and public honestly, impartially, lawfully, diligently, and courteously.
• Respect for colleagues, non-discrimination, and support for a harassment-free environment are mandatory.
• Proper, efficient, and authorized use of public funds and property is expected.
• Civil servants must disclose conflicts of interest and adhere to rules on gifts, hospitality, and outside appointments.
• Breaches may lead to disciplinary action.
• Includes provisions for post-employment conduct to prevent conflicts after resignation or retirement.

Ethical Principles in U.S. Federal Public Service

• Public service is a trust requiring loyalty to the Constitution, laws, and ethical principles above private gain.
• Employees must respect and adhere to ethical conduct principles to maintain public confidence in government integrity.
• When specific regulations do not cover a situation, employees must apply general ethical principles to determine proper conduct.

Public Money and Procurement

• Defined as funds due to or payable by the State.
• Includes money received by public bodies or non-public bodies from public sources.
• Spending public money requires ensuring value for money, efficient delivery of goods or services.
• Public Procurement is the process of acquiring property, works, and services using public funds, encompassing all stages from identifying needs to contract completion.
• It is a business management process akin to supply chain management.

Principles of Public Procurement

• Procuring agencies must seek the best outcomes considering all costs and benefits throughout the procurement cycle, ensuring value for money.
• Senior officials are accountable to Parliament for procurement decisions.
• Managers and staff are accountable within their hierarchies.
• Procurement processes must be open and visible to assure the public of their appropriateness.
• Objectives include open competition, ethical dealings, promotion of national industry, while respecting international obligations and supporting other government policies.

Legal and Regulatory Framework in Trinidad and Tobago

• The Central Tenders Board (CTB) Ordinance, 1961 established the CTB as the exclusive authority for government procurement and disposal of surplus goods.
• Amendments allow government agencies some autonomy and create exceptions for emergencies and special procurement committees.

Key Areas of Focus

• A well-defined code of ethics is the bedrock, setting expectations for decision-making, professional conduct, and accountability.
• Outline principles like honesty, fairness, transparency, and responsibility.
• Clear policies on conflicts of interest are crucial, detailing how officials should manage personal and professional relationships to prevent bias.
• Rules regarding gifts and benefits should be established to prevent undue influence.
• Confidentiality policies should protect sensitive information.
• Workplace conduct guidelines should promote respect, inclusion, and non-discrimination.
• The code must be easily accessible, regularly updated, and integrated into daily operations.
• Transparency ensures that public and corporate institutions operate openly and are accountable.
• Government officials should declare assets and financial interests to prevent illicit wealth accumulation.
• Open data policies should enable public access to government spending records, procurement contracts, and decision-making processes.

Sanctions and Disciplinary Actions

• Ethical standards must be backed by a clear disciplinary framework that ensures consistent consequences for violations.
• A well-defined system should include graduated penalties.
• Penalties range from written warnings and suspensions to dismissals and legal prosecution.
• An independent ethics review panel should ensure fairness and prevent political interference.
• Publicizing ethical violations and penalties can serve as a deterrent.

Ethical Leadership and Role Modeling

• Leaders shape organizational culture by demonstrating ethical behavior and decision-making.
• Leaders should encourage ethical discussions and create safe spaces for employees to raise concerns without fear of retaliation.

Public Engagement and Civil Society Oversight

• Ethical governance should involve civil society organizations (CSOs), the media, and citizen feedback mechanisms to monitor compliance.
• Governments can establish citizen feedback platforms for reporting corruption and unethical behavior.

Caribbean Context

• The document touches on the situation in the Caribbean, using Barbados as an example where anti-corruption legislation was not prioritized due to cost concerns.
• Lists integrity laws and codes of conduct in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Guyana, Dominica, and Barbados.