Code of conduct

Can you come to school...

• less than fully competent due to drinking alcohol

• under the influence of illegal drugs

• Drink alcohol whilst at work/on duty, including when on call

• & drink alcohol, in moderation, in the workplace, including during a lunch break or other rest period, the express permission of a head teacher must be obtained in writing in advance on each occasion.

That trust between yourself and colleagues would be damaged if you:

• are not truthful and honest in your dealings with the school, its pupils and parents or carers, your colleagues and your supervisor/manager and head teacher

• commit any act of misconduct or breach of your employment terms

• don't rinse your plates before putting them in the dishwasher

• misrepresent the school in your dealings with others or make any statement on behalf of the school which you are not authorised to do (e.g. giving a reference for a colleague on behalf of the school, making statements to the press or other media)

Under the code of conduct disciplinary section, which are unacceptable behaviour

• asking for “dates” after being refused

• making racist comments

• persistent swearing, rudeness or non-verbal behaviour which intimidates or offends others

• pestering colleagues with personal matters

Your contract of employment requires that you:

• be at work at the proper start time (unless you have prior agreement to arrive late)

• agree in advance with your manager any planned absence (for example a medical appointment)

• agree with your manager any annual, special, or flexi leave you want BEFORE you take any time off or book any holidays (except bereavement leave and emergency leave – see local conditions of service, available on the Council’s intranet)

• relax in the holiday periods

To avoid any difficulties arising from a potential clash of interests you must:

• notify your head teacher in writing if you have links of any sort with an outside organisation which may: work for the School, or supply goods and services to it (or are tendering or preparing to do so)

• should you apply for an internal post you must declare whether you have a close personal relationship with anyone on the appointing panel

• avoid acting as professional representative on behalf of a friend, partner, or relative, in their dealings with the School

• always buy the headteacher chocolate

You are already paid for the work you do, but people may believe they will get better service or more favourable treatment if they provide additional payments or offer you favours: this is not the basis on which the school delivers or purchases services (or goods). You must:

• not ask for a gift, tip, or Christmas box

• avoid putting yourself in a position where you could be thought to be acting improperly

• accept a gift which: is of token value (such as a calendar or inexpensive pen), and is offered to you without your asking

• return any gifts your head teacher says you may not keep

You may undertake paid or unpaid work for yourself or other organisations but there are some rules that you must follow. You must not:

• ensure any private work is done in your own time

• work whilst when you are on sick leave

• work during school holidays

• work during school time

You must:

• declare any private earnings to the school

• not use your position with the school for private gain

• declare in writing to your designated manager any fees paid to you from outside bodies for work you do in the course of your job and on behalf of the Council

• get formal written permission from your head teacher before you take up any (paid or unpaid) private work for any person or organisation that supplies, is tendering/applying to supply goods or services to the school

Which of these would be managed as misconduct:

• Serious failure to comply with or operate the School’s Equality and Diversity policies

• Serious failure to comply with or operate the school's information systems and security standards e.g. gaining unauthorised access to passwords and breaches of the use of the email and internet policy including emails with pornographic attachments;

• Acceptance of bribes or other corrupt or fraudulent practices;

• Falsification of qualifications or information to obtain employment with the school or which are a statutory or essential requirement of employment or which result in additional remuneration;