04/22/2010 Special Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Anyone who observes significant unlawful or improper actions by a ci expected to report them. Customarily, the actions are reported to the ol If the supervisor appears to be involved in the improper actions, the re] a higher level, to the City Auditor, or to the Oregon Government Stanc Commission. This decision is not to be made lightly, as whistleblowin atmosphere of suspicion. "Whistleblowing" differs from "leaking" because leakers act covertly unaccountable for the consequences of their actions. {City Charter Section 2-405 requires that the Mayor be notified of violations. The penalty for willful failure to notify is removal from Conscientious City workers protect the public from improper gover illegal secret policies and arrogant decision-making. Therefore, it is punish City workers who seek to hold government accountable thro {Employer retaliation is prohibited by ORS 659.550, and by the Fe Protection Act of 1987. Civil and criminal penalties are provided. } ffici 1 is al's pervisor. : can e made to s an Practices eate an are d1ssentiallv to ass or istl -blowing. 6. Citizens have a fair and equal opportunity to express their views t¢ City Often it is impossible for an official to talk personally with every conc rned ci izen, but obtaining an appointment should not appear to depend on the ability o the citi en to provide personal benefits or campaign contributions. 7. City officials do not accept personal gifts. In general, personal gifts should be refused or returned with a friendly ut fi message that City officials are not allowed to receive gifts. A personal gift, lun , or en rtainment under $100 in value is legal, but no amount is too small to be ethically questio able. The key question for an individual official is, "Would I receive this gi if I di not hold a City position?" The ethical principle is that officials obtain no persona gain fr m performance of their duties except official compensation and the satis ction o a job well done. Citizens can best show their appreciation with a letter of comme dation. Even small promotional gifts such as imprinted pens or T shirts from ofit-m ing entities should not be used on the job, because they can create the imp ession lat the vendor is regarded with particular favor by the official. Tact is especially needed if personal gifts to officials are expected in t e dono s culture. For example, gifts presented as part of the Sister Cities program shoul be gra iously accepted, and become the property of the City of Portland. However, i a pers al gift is offered within Portland by an immigrant business owner, the official s ould e lain that such gifts are not the City's custom. 159