Introduction
Hartlepool Borough Council (the ‘Council’) expects high standards of conduct from its employees. This document sets out the minimum standards we expect of you, provides a framework to help you understand the protocols which apply to you and gives guidance to help you comply with them.
This Code covers all employees of the Council, except for school-based employees. Schools need to give consideration to their own procedures, and where schools are using this Code, suitable advice should be sought from Human Resources.
The Code is recommended as good practice to all other groups associated with the Council who have the discretion in their employment to adopt our policies. Apart from schools, this will include such groups as voluntary sector organisations. Where applicable this Code will also apply to agency workers, contractors, consultants or third parties providing work or services for, or on behalf of, the Council. Employees should also comply with this Code if they are representing the Council on any board, partner group, agency or committee outwith the Council.
All employees of the Council have a responsibility to ensure they comply with this Code along with any other policies or procedures referred to in this document. Employees are expected to give the highest possible standard of service to the public, and where it is part of their duties, to provide appropriate advice to Councillors and fellow employees with impartiality, honesty and integrity.
Employees who attempt to abuse this code may face disciplinary action. The Council takes false or misleading accusations very seriously, which may result in further action taken through the disciplinary procedure. This will not include illfounded allegations that were made in good faith. You must participate in any investigations, including those carried out by the Council’s Monitoring Officer, who is responsible for ensuring lawfulness and fairness of decision making including reporting any actual or potential breaches of the law or maladministration of the Council.
The Code will be available on the intranet and in a handy sized guide for employees. It will also form part of the new Corporate Induction for new employees and those moving from one job to another within the Council.