The Code of Business Conduct for Employees and Board Members of the Marine Institute is described below.
Staff Code of Conduct
Objective of the Code
- This code sets out an agreed set of ethical principles that all employees of the Marine Institute should adhere to.
- The code aims to promote the maintenance of trust and confidence by colleagues, the Board, our customers and the general public.
- The code aims to prevent the development or acceptance of any unethical practices.
Integrity
- The management and employees will not be involved in outside employment/business interests without the written permission of the Institute, and in no case should they be in conflict or in potential conflict with the business of the Institute;
- Staff should avoid the giving or receiving of corporate gifts, hospitality, preferential treatment or benefits which might affect or appear to affect the ability of the donor or the recipient to make independent judgment on business transactions.
- Business gifts other than items of very small intrinsic value, such as business diaries or calendars, should not be accepted.
- Staff will commit to compete vigorously and energetically but also ethically and honestly;
- The conduct of purchasing activities of goods/services is in accordance Marine Institute procurement guidelines and best business practice;
- Staff will ensure that the Marine Institute’s accounts/reports accurately reflect their business performance and are not misleading or designed to be misleading;
- Staff will avoid the use of the Institute’s resources or time for personal gain, for the benefit of persons/organisations unconnected with the body or its activities or for the benefit of competitors;
- Staff commit not to acquire information or business secrets by improper means.
- The Institute encourages anyone having in good faith suspicions of fraud, financial irregularity of other improper behaviour or practice and report this in accordance with the procedures set out in the Institute’s Confidential Disclosure Procedure which may be found on the Intranet or from Human Resources.
Information
- The Board of Directors supports the management and employees of the Marine Institute in the provision of access to general information relating Marine Institute activities in a way that is open and enhances its accountability to the general public, while respecting the confidentiality of sensitive information held by the Marine Institute. This would constitute material such as commercially sensitive information including future plans or details of major organisational or other changes, personal information information received in confidence by the public body.
- Staff will observe appropriate prior consultation procedures with third parties where, exceptionally, it is proposed to release sensitive information in the public interest.
- Staff will comply with relevant statutory provisions (e.g. data protection legislation, the Freedom of Information Act, 1997).
- Staff will observe the requirements of non-disclosure of privileged or confidential information to any third party. This continues to apply where employment with the Marine Institute has ended.
Obligations
- Staff will fulfil all regulatory and statutory obligations imposed on the Marine Institute as agreed by the Marine Institute Board
- Staff will comply with detailed procurement procedures, as well as complying with prescribed levels of authority for sanctioning any relevant expenditure
- Staff will work with the Board Audit Committee in implementing adequate controls to ensure compliance with best practices in financial procedures and reporting.
- Those holding designated positions as outlined in the Ethics in Public office Act 1995 and the Standards in Public Office Act 2001 must disclose any outside employment/business interests that are in conflict or in potential conflict with the business of the Marine Institute.
- The acceptance of further employment where the potential for conflict of interest arises should be avoided during a reasonable period of time after the exercise of employment of the Marine Institute has ceased.
Loyalty
- Staff acknowledge the responsibility to be loyal to the Marine Institute and will be fully committed to its activities while acknowledging the requirement to conform to highest standards of business ethics.
Fairness
- The Institute and its staff undertake to comply with employment equality and equal status legislation.
- Staff commit to fairness in all business dealings.
- Staff will value customers and treat all customers equally.
Work Environment
- The Institute places the highest priority on promoting and preserving the health and safety of employees
- Employees will adhere to all Marine Institute policies relating to the work environment including policies relating to Bullying and Harassment.
Directors' Code of Conduct
Objective of the Code:
- This code sets out an agreed set of ethical principles that all members of the Marine Institute Board should adhere to.
- The code aims to promote the maintenance of trust and confidence by colleagues, the Board, our customers and the general public.
- The code aims to prevent the development or acceptance of any unethical practices.
Integrity
- Board Members will disclose any outside employment/business interests in conflict or in potential conflict with the business of the Marine Institute.
- Board Members will avoid the giving or receiving of corporate gifts, hospitality, preferential treatment or benefits which might affect or appear to affect the ability of the donor or the recipient to make independent judgement on Marine Institute transactions.
- Business gifts other than items of very small intrinsic value, such as business diaries or calendars, should not be accepted. They commit to compete vigorously and energetically but also ethically and honestly.
- Board Members will ensure that the conduct of purchasing activities of goods/services in accordance with best business practice.
- Board Members will ensure that the body's accounts/reports accurately reflect their business performance and are not misleading or designed to be misleading.
- Board Members will avoid the use of the Marine Institute's resources or time for personal gain, for the benefit of persons/organisations unconnected with the body or its activities or for the benefit of competitors.
- Board Members commit not to acquire information or business secrets by improper means.
- Board Members will observe the requirements of non-disclosure of privileged or confidential information to any third party. This continues to apply where their appointment with the Marine Institute has ended.
Information
- Board Members support the management and employees of the Marine Institute in the provision of access to general information relating Marine Institute activities in a way that is open and enhances its accountability to the general public, while respecting the confidentiality of sensitive information held by the Marine Institute. This would constitute material such as commercially sensitive information including future plans or details of major organisational or other changes, personal information received in confidence by the public body.
- Board Members have instructed the staff of the Marine Institute to comply in full with relevant statutory provisions (e.g. data protection legislation, the Freedom of Information Act, 1997).
- The Institute encourages any Board Members having in good faith suspicions of fraud, financial irregularity of other improper behaviour or practice and report this in accordance with the procedures set out in the Institute’s Confidential Disclosure Procedure which has been provided to Board Members and is available from the Board Secretary.
Obligations
- Board Members will ensure the fulfilment of all regulatory and statutory obligations imposed on the Marine Institute.
- Board Members will use their reasonable endeavours to attend all Board meetings.
- Those holding a Directors position as outlined in the Ethics in Public office Act 1995 and the Standards in Public Office Act 2001 must disclose any outside employment/business interests that are in conflict or in potential conflict with the business of the Marine Institute.
- The acceptance of an appointment where the potential for conflict of interest arises should be avoided during a reasonable period of time after the exercise of appointment to the Marine Institute has ceased.
Loyalty
- Board Members acknowledge the responsibility to be loyal to the Marine Institute and will be fully committed to its activities while acknowledging the duty of all Board Members to conform to highest standards of business ethics.
Fairness
- Board Members undertake to ensure the Institute complies with employment equality and equal status legislation; that it commits to fairness in all business dealings; and that it values customers and treat all customers equally.
Work Environment
- Board Members place the highest priority on promoting and preserving the health and safety of employees.