Jewish Vocational Service

POLICY FOR PERSONNEL CODE OF ETHICS

Purpose: To provide employees, persons who Jewish Vocational Service serves and the community with a formal statement of JVS' commitment to the standards and rules of ethical conduct.

Statement of Agency's Mission

Empowering all people in need to find fulfillment through work.

All employees, consultants and volunteers are required to review and sign this Personnel Code of Ethics, indicating knowledge of its contents. Staff who violates one of the agency's Code of Ethics may face corrective action.

Jewish Vocational Service believes in the following core values.

All people have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
All people should have access to needed services that promote individual achievement and inclusion in their communities.
All people should be empowered to exercise informed choices.

Policy

The Personnel Code of Ethics shall be considered the basis by which each employee conducts himself/herself on behalf of the agency and should be deemed the cornerstone of ethical practices.

No code of ethics can cover all circumstances or anticipate every situation. Employees encountering situations not addressed specifically in this Code should apply the overall philosophy and concepts of this Code to the situation, along with the highest ethical standards observed by honorable people everywhere. If a question still exists, the particular circumstances should be reviewed with the employee's Assistant Executive Director, the Director of Human Resources or the Executive Director.

In addition, Jewish Vocational Service is committed to:

The continuous improvement of both organizational management and service delivery.
Diversity and cultural competence in all its activities.

Service And Support Values

Staff protects the interests of the consumers, who receive strength through various programs of the agency.
Staff respects the attitudes and rights of consumers, their families, staff and other stakeholders.
Staff meets the needs of consumers served by working collaboratively with others in developing programs and services as well as providing staff, facilities and equipment that will best meet the consumer's abilities and interests.
Staff adheres to established standards of his/her profession.
Staff adheres to all laws, regulations and policies of state, federal and local governments.
Staff develops and maintains an environment that promotes the attainment of agency goals.
Staff accurately represents consumers, their families, staff and other stakeholders in all marketing and advertising activities.
Staff respects consumers' dignity and right to privacy in all marketing and advertising activities.
Employees controlling or handling agency monies observe and comply with established agency procedures regarding internal accounting controls.
Staff is the most valued resource, recognize the importance of representing the agency in a positive manner and conduct themselves accordingly in all interactions.
Staff will use instructional and intervention strategies that are creative, innovative and adapted to meet the unique needs of persons served.
All persons eligible will be served in a prompt, timely manner.

Business and Financial Practices

Business will be conducted within the standards of commonly accepted, sound financial management practices.
Business will be conducted to promote and comply with the Mission, Vision, Values and Bylaws
Business will be handled in accordance with the applicable federal, state and local laws.

Marketing Activities

Jewish Vocational Service will never knowingly mislead or misinform the public or misrepresent the agency.
Jewish Vocational Service will always respect the dignity and privacy rights of persons served and stakeholders.
Jewish Vocational Service will uphold the integrity of the agency, so as to merit the continued support and trust of the public.

Reporting

Any person reporting an allegation of violation of the Personnel Code of Ethics is assured that no reprisal or other act of retaliation will be made against that individual and that all reports will be taken seriously.

Follow-up to Allegations of Violations of Ethical Conduct

Allegations of violations of Personnel Code of Ethics conduct shall be reviewed by the Executive Director within seven calendar days and shall, at the discretion of the Executive Director, be submitted to a Human Rights Committee for additional review and recommendations by the Committee. The discussion of and follow-up to such allegations shall be discussed and documented. The recommendations of the Human Rights Committee shall be documented by the Committee's Chair and given to the Executive Director for consideration. The decision of the Executive Director shall be final.