4121-15-03 Standards of conduct.

(A) Confidential information

The confidentiality of all information which comes into possession of commission and bureau employees shall be respected. In order to properly discharge this duty, all associates must acquaint themselves with those areas of information that are designated as confidential by statutes, by the courts and by the attorney general. Furthermore, they must become familiar with the circumstances under which and the persons to whom such information can be released.

(B) Gifts and gratuities

(1) Except as otherwise specifically provided in this rule, no gift, gratuity, money, service, hospitality, loan, promise or anything of economic value shall be sought, solicited or accepted from or on behalf of any individual or entity who is doing or seeking to do business of any kind with the commission or bureau under any circumstances from which the officer or employee could reasonably infer that the gift or benefit was intended to influence the employee in the performance of the employee’s duties or was intended as a reward for any official action on the employee’s part.

(2) Commission and/or bureau employees shall not sponsor parties or other entertainment for the personnel of their agencies, the costs of which are covered in whole or in part by donations or receipts from the sale of tickets to individuals or entities, who are doing or seeking to do business with the commission or bureau.

(3) The commission and bureau or workers’ compensation hereby adopt the provisions of the Ohio “Ethics Law”.

No employee of these agencies shall engage in outside employment that results in a conflict or apparent conflict with the employee’s official duties and responsibilities.

(1) Outside employment or activity in which an employee with or without pay represents a claimant or employer in any matter before the industrial commission, or the bureau of workers’ compensation is prohibited.

(2) Outside employment with an attorney, representative or entity that involves work concerning industrial claims, whether filed or to be filed, or which is in any way related to workers’ compensation matters is prohibited.

(D) Professional code of ethics

In the event there is any conflict between a professional code of ethics governing any employee of these agencies and this code of ethics for employees, the professional code of ethics shall take precedence over the code of ethics for employees but the conflict shall be promptly reported to the employing agency. In such case the agency shall promptly determine the degree of conflict and take such further action as may be indicated.

(E) An employee shall not use state property of any kind for other than approved activities. The employee shall not misuse or deface state property. The taking or use of state property for the private purposes of an employee is prohibited. The employee shall protect and conserve all state property, including equipment and supplies entrusted to or issued to the employee.

(F) Diligence and impartiality in work

Employees are encouraged to avoid absenteeism and tardiness, to not use sick leave unless necessary and to abide by rules of the Ohio civil service. Recognizing that the industrial commission and bureau of workers’ compensation serve many people whose interests are divergent, employees should work in a speedy and efficient manner, strive to be courteous, fair and impartial to the people they serve, and responsive to the problems that come before them. All segments of the public are to be treated equally, without regard to age, race, sex, religion, country of origin, or handicap.

(G) It is understood that standards of ethical conduct may involve a myriad of situations. The good conscience of individual employees shall remain the best guarantee of the moral quality of their activities. The overall intent of this code of ethics is that employees avoid any action, whether or not prohibited by the preceding provisions, which result in, or create the appearance of:

(1) Using public office for private gain, or

(2) Giving preferential treatment to any person, entity, or group.

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 02/02/2004 and 02/01/2009

Promulgated Under: 119.032

Statutory Authority: 4121.122

Rule Amplifies: 4121.122(B)

Prior Effective Dates: 1/1/78, 2/1/99