>> Return to Staff Manual Homepage <<

E. Code of Conduct

As an institution that values honesty, integrity and fairness, Wittenberg University expects all members of its community to sustain the highest ethical standards of this institution.  It is essential that all employees conduct university business in a manner that will withstand the sharpest scrutiny.  Staff members have a general duty to conduct themselves in a manner that will maintain and strengthen the public's trust and confidence in the integrity of the university.  This Code of Conduct identifies basic policy and standards concerning ethical conduct, and provides guidance in several areas of specific concern. 

It is the responsibility of each member of the university staff to comply with legal and regulatory requirements, policies and procedures that apply to her/his particular duties.  In addition, it is the responsibility of supervisors to see that staff members in their respective areas receive adequate information and training to permit full compliance and to monitor compliance.

Staff should be aware that the university will not tolerate certain acts and behaviors that are unproductive or detrimental to the university.  Although identifying every possible misbehavior is impossible, the following lists the types of behavior that are considered to be in conflict with acceptable ethical standards or a violation of trust, resulting in disciplinary action.

The list is not non-exhaustive, and Wittenberg reserves the right to discipline staff for conduct not listed below.  It does not alter the employment-at-will relationship between the employee and the university. Regardless of anything contained herein, an employee may be terminated with or without cause and with or without notice at any time.

• Falsifying, concealing, altering, misusing, or removing university documents or records, including electronic data records.

• Insubordination or refusal to comply with instructions or failure to comply with any rules, regulations or standards applicable to the university.

• Engaging in acts of dishonesty, fraud, theft, or sabotage.

• Unauthorized possession or use of university material, equipment, or property including the services of university employees, for personal benefit.

• Using abusive or vulgar language.

• Threatening, intimidating, coercing, or interfering with the performance of other employees.

• Damaging or destroying university property due to careless or willful acts.

• Unauthorized disclosure of confidential information or records.

• Failure or refusal to cooperate with an internal campus investigation.

• Interference with an internal campus investigation.

• Knowingly withholding or falsifying disclosure of any potential conflict of interest as required by university policy, or to act in a manner contrary to the best interest of the university as a result of such conflict.

• Accepting from or supplying to any organization or person doing or seeking to do business with the University, a loan or a gift of favor of more than nominal value.

• Negligence in observing fire prevention and safety rules.

• Gambling, carrying weapons or explosives, or violating criminal laws on university premises.

• Fighting or other disorderly conduct that may endanger the well-being of anyone on university premises.

• Abuse of any paid and/or unpaid leave policies including but not limited to sick time.

• Unexcused absenteeism or failure to report to work on time.

• Excessive absenteeism or tardiness, or an unacceptable pattern of absences.

• Making false or malicious statements concerning other staff, supervisors or students of the university.

• Neglect of duty and/or lack of due care and/or diligence in the performance of duties.

• Unsatisfactory job performance or failure to maintain reasonable standards of performance.

• Sleeping while on duty.

• Inappropriate appearance including failure to maintain personal appearance or dress, including uniform or style of dress, according to departmental standards.

• Poor attitude and discourtesy toward others (for example, rudeness or lack of cooperation)

• Providing alcoholic beverages to any student under twenty-one (21) years of age.

• Discrimination or harassment of any person, including, but not limited to, violation of the Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Policy.

• Threats, intimidation, physical contact, physical abuse harassment, coercion and any other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person.

• Violation of the university’s Firearms Policy.

• Violating Wittenberg’s Computer Use Policy.

• Violation of the University’s Commercial Solicitation Policy.

• Violation of the University’s Policy on Political Activity.

• Violation of Wittenberg’s Substance Abuse Policy.

• Violation of Wittenberg’s Whistleblower Policy.

• Violating copyright laws.

• Intentionally misrepresenting personal views as the position of the institution.

• Conviction of criminal acts, which demonstrate unfitness as a staff member, including but not limited to, crimes of moral turpitude.

Other expectations for university staff are covered in other sections of the Staff Manual.