PURPOSE
To establish procedures for employee member ethical conduct when relating to consumers, business customers, vendors, and visitors.
POLICY
It is the policy of CMS Agency, Inc. to have an ethical responsibility to the consumers and community it serves and be committed to strong principles of integrity and ethical conduct in all of its business transactions. Employees of CMS Agency, Inc. shall perform their duties in compliance with all federal, state and local statutes, and in accordance with the guidelines set forth below. Employee conduct in violation of these guidelines become a concern of CMS Agency, Inc. and may result in disciplinary action against the employee. Suspected violation of Care Management Servicers ethical standards shall be reported promptly to the Executive Director.
Prohibited activities include but are not limited to:
PROCEDURES FOR RESOLVING ALLEGATIONS OF ETHICAL VIOLATIONS:
NOTIFICATION:
Any new employee will be oriented/trained on this policy. Confirmation of this training will be evidenced by their signature on a receipt page. In addition, CMS Agency, Inc. will ensure that any entity that we enter into a contractual relationship with will be made aware of our Code of Ethics.
ADVOCACY/CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP:
CMS Agency, Inc. is committed to advocacy efforts on behalf of the consumers/families it serves. In addition, the agency makes an effort to contribute to the community which it services. Efforts involve, but are not limited to, working with local churches, Special Olympics, participation in health fairs and community events, volunteer/employment opportunities for consumers, and referrals to social, legal and economic resources.
To establish procedures for employee member ethical conduct when relating to consumers, business customers, vendors, and visitors.
POLICY
It is the policy of CMS Agency, Inc. to have an ethical responsibility to the consumers and community it serves and be committed to strong principles of integrity and ethical conduct in all of its business transactions. Employees of CMS Agency, Inc. shall perform their duties in compliance with all federal, state and local statutes, and in accordance with the guidelines set forth below. Employee conduct in violation of these guidelines become a concern of CMS Agency, Inc. and may result in disciplinary action against the employee. Suspected violation of Care Management Servicers ethical standards shall be reported promptly to the Executive Director.
- Employees must be alert in conducting business with non-employees to avoid even the appearance of misconduct, personal or financial gain, or a conflict of interest.
- Employees are prohibited from accepting personal favors and/or benefits under any circumstances which may be reasonably construed as influencing the employee's activities. Such favors and benefits may not be accepted by the employee on behalf of other individuals.
- Management will be sure to maintain ethical standards when advertising, interviewing and selecting new staff.Adherence to non-discriminatory practices will be ensured.
- Employees are prohibited from involvement in official activities in which a consumer of CMS Agency, Inc. services a relative, in-law, or personal acquaintance. When the relationship results in a conflict of interest or perception of conflict of interest, the employee and/or Director is required to report such circumstances to the Executive Director.
- Employment of the staff at CMS Agency, Inc. will always be considered primary, and any employment outside interferences of CMS Agency, Inc. will be considered secondary.
- Employees of CMS Agency, Inc. must conduct themselves in a positive and courteous manner toward consumers. Mistreatment of consumers in any form is a matter of concern and will not be tolerated.
- Misrepresentation of services or products to or for consumers or business customers will not be tolerated. The marketing of services to the general public, funding agencies, and people with disabilities must be appropriately and accurately represented.
- All visitors to CMS Agency, Inc. will be treated with respect and dignity, and must also abide by socially accepted rules of appropriate behavior and conduct.
- Confidentiality will be granted for all consumers, families of consumers, and public and private recipients of services from CMS Agency, Inc.
- Management will uphold is commitment to prevent fraud, waste, abuse and other wrongdoing.
Prohibited activities include but are not limited to:
- Receiving money or realizing personal financial gain from business, industries, or other community stakeholders with which CMS Agency, Inc. conducts business or which is under consideration of a business transaction.
- Gambling, buying, selling, trading, borrowing or lending goods or money with, for, or to consumers, business partners or potential business partners
- Using relationships with, or clinical information obtained on current or former consumers to take unfair advantage of the consumer, their relatives, friends or personal acquaintances. All contractual relationships will be based on ethical principles.
- Engaging in sexual relationships, physical conduct, or inappropriate verbal sexual conduct with consumers, or otherwise taking sexual assault. (A person commits sexual assault when such person has supervisory or disciplinary authority over another person and such person engages in sexual contact with that person). Consent of the victim shall not be a defense to prosecution under this subsection.
- Exchange of gifts, money or gratuities to/from consumers, families, stakeholders, and referral sources.
- Unfair or unethical hiring practices such as nepotism and any other human resources functions.
- Personal fundraising at the workplace or involving consumers, families and other stakeholders.
- Use of social media for personal use during work hours. When posting about agency on social media, ensuring it reflects positively on agency and protects privacy and confidentiality of those served. See Social Media Policy.
- Improperly using or authorizing the use of any company property of the Company or any other thing or property that is owned by person or entity.
- Witnessing of documents that are not CMS Agency, Inc. documents.
PROCEDURES FOR RESOLVING ALLEGATIONS OF ETHICAL VIOLATIONS:
- Any suspected incidence of fraud, dishonesty, immoral, unethical or other inappropriate behavior, and conflict of interest or duality on the part of any, staff member, volunteer, customer or visitor must be reported immediately to the Executive Director. Any employee who reports a suspected violation will not be disciplined or punished for such report.
- Any such allegation of fraud, dishonesty, immoral, unethical or other inappropriate behavior, conflict of interest or duality will be thoroughly investigated by a review team composed of the Executive Director. This investigation will be initiated within 48 hours of receipt of the complaint. The investigation will be completed within seven (7) business days of the initiation of the investigation. Results of the investigation will be completed within 2 business days of the conclusion of the investigation.
- Verification of any alleged incidences of immoral or unethical conduct could result in possible dismissal of the staff by the Executive Director.
NOTIFICATION:
Any new employee will be oriented/trained on this policy. Confirmation of this training will be evidenced by their signature on a receipt page. In addition, CMS Agency, Inc. will ensure that any entity that we enter into a contractual relationship with will be made aware of our Code of Ethics.
ADVOCACY/CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP:
CMS Agency, Inc. is committed to advocacy efforts on behalf of the consumers/families it serves. In addition, the agency makes an effort to contribute to the community which it services. Efforts involve, but are not limited to, working with local churches, Special Olympics, participation in health fairs and community events, volunteer/employment opportunities for consumers, and referrals to social, legal and economic resources.