Developing Code of Conduct Training

A guide for public sector agencies to develop and implement formal code of conduct training.

This guide supports agencies to comply with Commissioner’s Instruction 40: Ethical Foundations that requires them to provide formal and planned integrity training on their codes of conduct, and ensure all staff and board members complete this training as well as refresher training.

The guide can also be used by public authorities not part of the public sector to develop and implement code of conduct training.

Formal and planned training on the code of conduct supports integrity by:

  • reinforcing leader expectations
  • creating a shared understanding of ethical obligations
  • building knowledge about applying the code
  • helping employees recognise and appropriately respond to integrity issues.

Formal and planned training is thoughtfully designed and delivered to teach staff about the agency’s code of conduct and broader accountability requirements. Training is one way an agency builds staff integrity knowledge and capacity. Others include informal learning such as one on one discussions, promotions and awareness raising activities. The Integrity Framework Guide (sections 3 and 4) has good and better practice ideas on education and capacity building and promotion. It also has an example integrity education and training plan to help agencies document their activities.

Note: In this guide, ‘staff’ covers everyone an agency (public sector body or public authority) determines its code applies to and may include statutory office holders, contractors, subcontractors, board/committee members and volunteers.

Using this guide

This guide helps agencies develop new code of conduct training or review and improve existing training that is relevant and impactful.

While generic sample core content is provided to support this guide, content needs to be customised to reflect each agency’s code of conduct, operating conditions and risk profile.

Developing a Code of Conduct provides guidance on developing and implementing a code of conduct.

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