Ethics Tenet 11:
Handle all matters of personnel on the basis of merit so that fairness and impartiality govern a member’s decisions, pertaining to appointments, pay adjustments, promotions, and discipline.
Guideline
Equal Opportunity. Members should develop a positive program that will ensure meaningful employment opportunities for all segments of the community. All programs, practices, and operations should: (1) provide equality of opportunity in employment for all persons; (2) prohibit discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, physical handicaps, age, or marital status; and (3) promote continuing programs of affirmative action at every level within the organization.
Case Study
The City Manager received an anonymous letter alleging that a department director had selected an employee for promotion to a supervisory position (and bypassed a more qualified minority candidate with more experience and tenure) from among three candidates on an eligible register. The letter further alleged that the selected employee was related to the wife of one of the city commissioners. The letter ended with the threat that if nothing was done to correct the injustice it would be turned over to the local newspaper. The city manager generally had a good working relationship with the affected director.
