Port of Seattle CEO Finalizes "Workplace Responsibility" Program
The Port of Seattle is establishing a new Workplace Responsibility program that strengthens existing policies while integrating more accountability standards, and dedicates a new position to implement the program. Among the new policy changes is greater clarity and accessibility for employees to seek information, raise issues, or report violations. The new program includes a Code of Conduct based on the Port's Statement of Values, and comprises all workplace responsibility policies, which were drawn from best practices in the private and public sector.
It is essential that all government agencies earn the public's trust, said Tay Yoshitani, Port of Seattle CEO. These measures will instill the knowledge and commitment from staff to continue to do the right thing and maintain stewardship of the public's resources.
The Port of Seattle is establishing this comprehensive ethics program in direct response to one of the eight recommendations contained in the Special Investigative Committee Report prepared by former U.S. Attorney Mike McKay and others, last December. However, this ethics program goes further to consolidate multiple existing policies, creating a comprehensive system with increased employee involvement and engagement.
Leading this effort will be a dedicated Workplace Responsibility Officer who will report directly to the legal counsel. This new position will be responsible for establishing program awareness and implementing the new standards of conduct, which employees will have access to on a user-friendly, one-stop shop of information available on the web. Every Port employee is expected to learn about, understand, and agree to the policies in the Code of Conduct, and verify having read them by April 2010.
This new program also contains means for correcting policy violations and ensuring employees understand the consequences of failing to adhere to the Code of Conduct. The Port of Seattle is one of the few ports and public agencies to have such a program in place, and will be an industry leader in creating a workable, comprehensive code with integrated policies.
It is essential that all government agencies earn the public's trust, said Tay Yoshitani, Port of Seattle CEO. These measures will instill the knowledge and commitment from staff to continue to do the right thing and maintain stewardship of the public's resources.
The Port of Seattle is establishing this comprehensive ethics program in direct response to one of the eight recommendations contained in the Special Investigative Committee Report prepared by former U.S. Attorney Mike McKay and others, last December. However, this ethics program goes further to consolidate multiple existing policies, creating a comprehensive system with increased employee involvement and engagement.
Leading this effort will be a dedicated Workplace Responsibility Officer who will report directly to the legal counsel. This new position will be responsible for establishing program awareness and implementing the new standards of conduct, which employees will have access to on a user-friendly, one-stop shop of information available on the web. Every Port employee is expected to learn about, understand, and agree to the policies in the Code of Conduct, and verify having read them by April 2010.
This new program also contains means for correcting policy violations and ensuring employees understand the consequences of failing to adhere to the Code of Conduct. The Port of Seattle is one of the few ports and public agencies to have such a program in place, and will be an industry leader in creating a workable, comprehensive code with integrated policies.