Code of Conduct for Volunteers

ETHICS POLICY

No volunteer shall use or authorize the use of the authority or influence of office or employment to secure anything of value that is of such a character as to manifest a substantial and improper influence upon the volunteer with respect to that person’s duties.

No volunteer shall solicit or accept anything of value that is of such a character as to manifest a substantial and improper influence upon the public official or volunteer with respect to that person’s duties.

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

It is important for the volunteer to know and understand the standards and condi­tions of participation with the Franklin County & Columbus Medical Reserve Corps so volunteers can concentrate on doing their job to the best of the their ability.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of conduct that could result in a volunteer's disciplinary action or immediate termination:

• Refusal to be searched or have packages or personal belongings examined by security personnel or a law enforcement official where there is reasonable cause for such a search.
  
  
• Unauthorized possession and/or removal of any property from County or response location premises that does not belong to the volunteer.

• Supplying false or misleading information or withholding pertinent information when applying for MRC membership. 

• Possessing a dangerous or deadly weapon in the performance of MRC duties.

• Theft (unauthorized removal) or misappropriation (unauthorized storage, transfer or use) of MRC owned property or that of another volunteer or volunteers.

• Immoral or indecent conduct including fighting, dangerous horseplay, use of threaten­ing or abusive language, making indecent remarks or advances, racially or sexually harassing another volunteer.

• Unauthorized possession, consumption, selling or being under the influence of illegal drugs, hallucinogens, narcotics or related drugs, medically unauthorized prescrip­tion drugs or alcoholic beverages on working time or while operating MRC or response agency owned equip­ment, machinery, vehicles or having the presence in one's system of the above described substances while engaging in the above described activities.

• Refusing to obey the direct order of a Supervisor (insubordination).

• Disrespectful conduct, coercion, intimidation, and threats of any kind against supervi­sors, fellow volunteers, and the public while on duty, or the use of vulgarity or profanity.

• Abusing, defacing or destroying Board owned property, or the property of other volunteers.

• Unauthorized altering, falsifying or destroying Board reports or records.

• Lack of good personal appearance, sanitation and cleanliness or failure to report      any conditions of health, which might endanger the volunteer or others.

• Loitering or sleeping on the job.

• Willfully hindering, limiting or sabotaging MRC or response agency operations or busi­ness.

• Offering, taking or soliciting a bribe or gratuity in exchange for job preference, promotion or performance.

• Offering, taking or soliciting a bribe or gratuity in connection with any County negotia­tion or transaction.

• Punching, signing, altering or recording one's own time record for the purpose of creating false record of defrauding the MRC, or punching, signing, altering or recording another volunteer's time record under any circumstances.

• Unauthorized use of MRC or response agency owned property or equipment.

• Engaging in illegal gambling while on duty.

• Smoking in other than designated areas or improper disposal of smoking materials.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of conduct considered unacceptable which may result in disciplinary action and that, under certain circumstances, may even result in termina­tion of employment:

• Interfering with or hindering work schedules; failing to work on a shift as scheduled or arranging their own replacement on a shift without permission from their Supervisor.

• Making or publishing false, vicious or malicious statements concerning any volunteer, supervisor, or the department.

• Excessive absenteeism or tardiness without valid excuse or proper notification, or falsely reporting the reason for absence or tardiness.

• Failure to observe established fire and safety rules or common safety practices; engaging in dangerous or potentially dangerous horseplay, or failure to report any person­al injury or accident sustained while on the job.

• Failure to perform the volunteer’s job or work assignments satisfactorily, safely and efficiently.

• Unauthorized distribution of literature or posting of notices, signs or writings in any form on Board premises during working time and in work areas.

• Reporting to work or working with the presence of alcohol (unless medically prescribed) or illegal substances, drugs and/or narcotics present in the volunteer's system.

• The sale, possession or distribution of narcotics, drugs or other illegal substances while on duty.