Policy Owner: Human Resources

Policy Purpose

This policy has been implemented to provide guidance to employees on best practices utilized in minimizing conflict and deterring adverse behaviors. This is not an attempt to define specifically what one should and should not do, but to communicate the University’s expectations of proper conduct and what professional conduct the University values. It is an expectation that the Standards of Conduct serve as the basis on which faculty and staff should make decisions related to the best interests of themselves, their co-workers, and the University. These standards are designed to promote ethical behavior, maintain professionalism, and ensure compliance with legal and organizational policies.

Policy Scope

All Florida Tech employees are expected to adhere to the standards identified within this policy and will additionally be responsible for gaining clarity on items not specifically mentioned.

Policy Statement

Florida Tech assumes the responsibility of providing a safe and inclusive workplace where all employees are treated with fairness and respect. Overall, Florida Tech aims to provide a workplace that operates following a very high standard of morality, inclusivity, and integrity. All employees are expected to maintain a professional environment for our students, customers, partners, and each other. Employees are expected to demonstrate trustworthiness by acting in a reliable and dependable manner, fostering a culture of honesty and accountability, acting with integrity, using good judgment, and acting appropriately in any given situation. Actions involving theft, fraud, embezzlement, kickbacks, misappropriation of funds or assets, falsification of records, conflicts of interest, breach of confidentiality, and other improprieties are in direct violation of this policy.

Procedures/Guidelines

The following is a list of unacceptable behaviors that would be considered direct violations of this policy and can be grounds for immediate dismissal. This list should not be considered exhaustive:

• Theft of physical or intellectual property.
• Destruction of university property or that of faculty, staff, or students.
• Behavior that could result in injury, personal or to others.
• Drug and alcohol use and/or possession on Florida Tech property, with or without intent to sell or distribute.
• Working under the influence of drugs, where side effects pose a risk to oneself and/or others. Prescription medications included.
• Fighting or verbally threatening violence on any Florida Tech property.
• Harassment and/or bullying of any kind.
• Use of obscene or offensive language, gestures.
• Public disclosure of private/confidential information, such as private health information, personal identification, and specific personal circumstances.
• Possession of dangerous objects or weapons, such as: explosives, firearms, and specialized weapons.
• Disclosure of business trade secrets or confidential organizational information that would not otherwise be public knowledge.
• Falsifications of documents or records.
• Discrimination of any kind.
• Fraud or misrepresentation of the University.
• Accepting monetary or other gifts in exchange for preferential treatment or privileges that may not otherwise been offered.
• Viewing or sharing sexually explicit material in the workplace, on Florida Tech’s equipment, or otherwise/
• Refusal to perform duties, as assigned, unless doing so is illegal or poses a health/safety concern.
• Use of the university’s time and/or resources for personal political activity.
• Failure to disclose a familial relationship with another member of the staff or faculty, specifically in the same department or when a supervisor/subordinate relationship exists.

Review detailed HR policies for additional resources.

This policy is subject to amendment.