Code of Conduct

All parties to the Code have a right to intellectual freedom of enquiry and expression, but have a duty to use this freedom responsibly, honestly and with respect for the intellectual freedom of others.  In exercising this right it is expected the parties will:

Engage in appropriate use by:

• supporting the role of the University as a place for independent learning and thought, where ideas and opinions can be freely expressed.
• ensuring intellectual freedom is used in a manner consistent with a responsible and honest search for and dissemination of knowledge and truth.

Show respect by:

• respecting the intellectual freedom of others.
• engaging in constructive criticism and rational debate, but not initiate, participate in or condone acts which are detrimental to others.

Act with intellectual honesty by:

• adhering to the highest standards of honesty in scholarship, research, professional practice and administration.

Undertake social/political comment by:

• ensuring that when making public comment on any matter as an individual member of the community, that the opinions expressed are not represented as an official view of the University.
• only using the University’s name with its designated title when the matter of public comment relates directly to your academic or other specialised subject area.

Parties to the Code must perform their duties according to Curtin’s values of respect, integrity, fairness and care. In this performance it is expected the parties will:

Comply with the law and University policy and decisions by:

• being informed of and complying with relevant legislation, industrial instruments and the policies and guidelines of the University.
• carrying out all lawful instructions and implementing decisions taken by the University.
• discussing ethical concerns where these arise, with your line manager or other appropriate manager.

Be accountable in decision-making by:

• making decisions in a fair, transparent and timely manner, giving proper attention to relevant information, legislation and University policies and procedures.

Embrace professional working relationships by:

• dealing respectfully, courteously and fairly with University colleagues, students, other members of the University community and external clients/stakeholders, with regard for their moral and legal rights and obligations.

Accept and give gifts and benefits by:

• accepting gifts or benefits only in approved circumstances and completing and submitting an official declaration of the gift or benefit.
• not soliciting or accepting money, gifts or other benefits which might, or might be perceived to compromise or influence you in the performance of your duties, either directly or indirectly
• limiting the giving of gifts to circumstances approved by the University.

Not tolerate harassment, bullying and discrimination by:

• practicing tolerance in interaction with others, particularly in relation to beliefs and cultural values.
• not engaging in offensive behaviour, actions or comments.
• not harassing, bullying or unlawfully discriminating against others.
• actively preventing and addressing harassment, bullying and discrimination in your workplace.

Support a safe and productive work environment by:

• taking reasonable care to protect the health and safety of ourselves and of others in the workplace.
• taking reasonable care that our workplace is safe and secure for everyone, including identifying and reporting safety hazards and risks.
• taking reasonable care to protect the environment, including reporting environmental hazards and risks.

Care should be taken with close personal relationships between members of the University community. Such relationships have the potential to compromise professional and ethical standards or may involve a conflict of interest and/or breach of trust. In taking care it is expected the parties will:

Engage in appropriate relationships between staff and students by:

• not supervising or assessing a student with whom you have, or have had, a close personal or other significant relationship.
• not being individually accountable for decisions regarding significant education related matters, including selection processes, for a student with whom you have, or have had, a personal or other significant relationship.
• declaring any close personal relationship with a student to your line manager or other appropriate manager where there could be, or could be perceived to be, a conflict of interest and/or breach of trust.

Engage in appropriate relationships between members of staff by:

• avoiding situations requiring you to supervise another member of staff with whom you have, or have had, a close personal or other significant relationship. Where this cannot be avoided you will ensure that supervision is openly seen to be of the highest professional standard, neither advantaging, nor disadvantaging, the person being supervised.
• not being solely accountable for decisions regarding significant employment-related matters, including staff selection for a person with whom you have, or have had, a close personal or other significant relationship.

A conflict of interest arises when private interests could, or could be perceived to impinge on a person’s ability to act in the best interests of the University. Conflicts of interest, or the perception that they have arisen, if left unmanaged, can do significant damage to the University and its staff. It is expected that the parties will:

Manage and declare conflicts of interest by:

• endeavouring to avoid situations in which a potential or actual conflict of interest arises in the performance of your duties. This includes the giving and receiving of gifts and benefits. Where such situations do arise, you will immediately declare any actual or potential conflict of interest to your line manager or other appropriate manager.

Undertake outside employment/consultancy by:

• engaging in outside employment and/or private practice/consultancy only in accordance with University policy. Prior to engaging in outside employment or other professional activities you will consult University policy and seek advice from your line manager.

Ensure your personal and political interests do not interfere with employee performance by:

• ensuring that your participation in any personal, political or community activity does not cause a conflict of interest or impede the performance of your duties.

Parties to the Code may have access to confidential, sensitive, commercially significant and personal information that is not available to the public. It is essential that staff respect the confidentiality of information and not use it for their personal gain or benefit or for the personal gain or benefit of others. Official decisions must be properly recorded and all information must be appropriately stored. In communicating and using University Information it is expected that the parties will:

Use official information appropriately by:

• maintaining the confidentiality, integrity and security of official University information.
• only disclosing confidential or restricted information when required to do so by law and where proper authority has been given.
• not processing any transactions or making any other changes to the records of friends, relatives, colleagues or business or other associates other than where necessary in order to undertake your duties and as approved by your supervisor or manager.
• not processing your personal records for any purpose other than through means made available to staff and students generally.

Respect intellectual property by:

• respecting the University’s intellectual property rights and acknowledging that anything we develop, invent or create as a consequence of being engaged or employed by the University remains the property of the University.

Record actions and decisions by:

• ensuring transparency of University actions and decision-making.
• establishing and maintaining appropriate records of official University actions.

Secure storage of official and confidential/sensitive information by:

• ensuring that all documents that form part of the University’s public record are placed on official files.
• ensuring that confidential/sensitive information is secured against loss, misuse or unauthorised access.

Undertake research by:

• ensuring that research data and other research documents are securely stored.
• ensuring that access to research documents is limited to authorised people.
• following national guidelines for the conduct of research.
• ensuring research information is used in an ethical manner.

Dishonest and criminal conduct is detrimental to the University community. It is expected the parties will:

Act honestly by:

• performing your duties to the highest standards of honesty and integrity.

Engage in lawful and proper conduct by:

• conducting yourself lawfully and properly at all times and not using your position within the University for personal advantage or for the personal advantage or disadvantage of others.

Report dishonest and criminal behaviour by:

• promptly reporting any suspected or known dishonest or criminal behaviour to your line manager or other appropriate manager, and/or relevant external authorities.

Parties to the Code have a responsibility to be conscientious when using University facilities, equipment and work time. The University’s assets are to be used in an appropriate and responsible manner and the unauthorised use or removal of assets is not allowed. It is expected the parties will:

Be diligent in the appropriate and efficient use of  University resources by:

• ensuring that University resources are used economically and that waste is avoided.
• taking measures to secure resources against theft and misuse.
• using all University facilities and equipment responsibly, carefully and honestly.
• using University resources for personal use only where approval is granted under University policy.
• using working time for personal purposes only briefly and infrequently and where appropriate seeking the approval of your line manager.