Realities of Government Ethics andA Guide to Responsible Decision-

Making

Prepared by:

Nevada Commission on Ethics

“Always do right - - this will gratify some and astonish the rest.”

~ Mark Twain, February 1901

GOOD ENOUGH FOR GOVERNMENT WORK

How does this expression make you feel when you hear it?

What can WE do to change the negativity associated with this expression?

NevadaCommission on Ethics Created to prevent public officers and

employees from using their position for personal or financial gain

Issues advisory opinions about the conduct of public officers

Investigates complaints about the conduct of public officers

Ethics:

1. A set of principles of right conduct.

2. A theory or a system of moral values.

3. The rules or standards governing the conduct of a person or the members of a profession.

American Heritage College Dictionary, Third Edition

Moral:1. Of or relating to principles of right and wrong in

behavior.2. Expressing or teaching a conception of right

behavior.3. Conforming to a standard of right behavior.4. Sanctioned by or operative on one’s conscience or

ethical judgment.5. Capable of right and wrong action.

Miriam-Webster.com

Integrity:

1. Firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values.

2. An unimpaired condition.

Miriam-Webster.com

Trust:1. Assured reliance on the character, ability,

strength, or truth of someone or something.2. A charge or duty imposed in faith or confidence or

as a condition of some relationship.3. Something committed or entrusted to one to be

use or cared for in the interest of another.4. Responsible charge or office.

Miriam-Webster.com

I know what I have done,

and Your Honor knows what I have done…

Somewhere between my ambition and my

ideals, I lost my ethical compass.

-- Jeb Stuart Macgruder

Creating ethical conflicts

Self-dealing Accepting gifts or benefits Influence peddling Using property for private advantage Using confidential information Outside employment Post-employment conduct

Common ethics rationalizations If it’s necessary, it’s ethical. If it’s legal and permissible, it must be proper. I was just doing it for you. I’m just fighting fire with fire. It doesn’t hurt anyone. It can’t be wrong if everyone is doing it. It’s okay if I don’t gain personally. I’ve got it coming. I can still be objective. It is just one cigar, box of candy, lunch, etc.

Five steps for ethical decision making1. Clarify the situation.

2. Evaluate the facts.

3. Discuss with an objective, disinterested party (i.e. agency/board counsel)

4. Choose your best ethical option.

5. Implement your decision.

6. Review and modify, if necessary.

The Ethical Checklist Would I be embarrassed to read about this action in

the newspaper? What would happen if everybody did this? How would I like it if someone did this to me? How would I feel if my mother knew or if my children

were observing me? Would the proposed course of action build/preserve

the general public’s confidence in government or your leadership?

If we are strong,

our strength will speak for itself.

If we are are weak,

words will be of no help.

-- John F. Kennedy

Nevada Commissionon Ethics

3476 Executive Pointe Way, Suite 10

Carson City, NV 89706

775.687.5469

775.687.1279 (fax)

2030 East Flamingo Road, Suite 125

Las Vegas, NV 89119

702.486.7250702.486.7252 (fax)

http://ethics.nv.gov

ncoe@ethics.nv.gov