Purpose: Greystone’s Code of Ethical and Legal Behavior guides us in all that we do. It does not replace any of the more specific policies, procedures, or practices of the Agency. Rather, it is intended to support our mission to provide the highest quality services to all we serve.

Compliance With The Code: All individuals are expected to comply with this code. The following standards provide definitive expectations and examples of unacceptable behavior, along with specific examples as an amendment to this code.

1. Disclose Potential Conflicts of Interest – Conflict of interest occurs in situations where a person has the potential to direct or influence a decision to his/her own gain.

Examples of Code Breach:

· Accept gift of significant value that could influence work-related decision making, including preferential treatment;

· Use business information resources for personal gain or profit.

 

2. Adhere to all Agency Policies and Procedures – Agency policies and procedures were developed to ensure quality, fairness, and safety for all employees (including Zero Tolerance for the use of or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs during work hours).

Examples of Code Breach:

· Create a harassing work environment;

· Fail to comply with EEOCrules/regulations;

· Improperly record timesheet by an employee.

 

3.  Maintain Accurate Documentation, Billing, Coding, and Reporting Procedures and Practices, both operational and financial – Data integrity and accuracy, as well as retention, are critical for support of the Individuals we serve and regulatory compliance. The Agency will only bill and accept revenues for which it is entitled.

Examples of Code Breach:

· Bill for services in which Individual did not receive Residential Habilitation at home or in an IRA;

· Bill and receive funds for a quality service which is lower than that which we are expected to provide;

· Falsify records/attendance sheets including signatures and dates.

 

4.  Understand and Adhere to the Individual Bill of Rights – The Individual’s Bill of Rights sets forth the minimum guidelines for ensuring that no individual shall be deprived of any civil or legal right solely because of a diagnosis of developmental disability.

Examples of Code Breach:

· Provide differential care due to race, religion, sexual orientation, etc.;

· Disclose information contained in the Individual’s records;

· Do not provide Individuals with a balanced and nutritious diet served at appropriate times and in as normal a manner as possible;

· Lack of protection of privacy of Individuals in all aspects of personal hygiene.

 

5.  Represent the Agency in a Fair and Honest Manner in All Interactions, including sales and marketing –

Examples of Code Breach:

· Offer illegal inducements for referrals to the Agency;

· Misrepresent Greystone services and functions – Truth in Advertising;

· Alter Greystone documentation.

 

6.  Safeguard Greystone Assets – Greystone resources are to be used for job-related purposes and not for personal gain.

Examples of Code Breach:

· Use of Greystone equipment/supplies for personal purposes;

· Falsification of timesheets;

· Theft of Greystone equipment/supplies.

 

7.  Work in a manner that supports the Greystone Vision/Mission and Values Statements –

· Fail to assume responsibility for your actions;

· Fail to seek advice and guidance on ethical issues from others as needed;

· Fail to assume accountability for decisions;

· Place blame on others;

· Act irresponsibly or not in accord with mission and values.

 

8.  Comply with all Applicable Laws, Regulations, Code, and Policies (including State and Federal Laws –

Examples of Breach of Code:

· Commit an unlawful act on facility premises;

· Report to work under the influence of alcohol or drugs or use drugs or alcohol during work time;

· Fail to renew or maintain good standing with professional licensure or certification.

 

 

9.  Be Good Stewards of the Community Trust – As a community human services agency, the resources entrusted to us are to be used for the benefit of the community and fiduciary decisions are to be made in the best interest of the community.

Examples of Breach of Code:

· Wastefulness of resources;

· Inappropriate risk taking in financial investments;

· Failure to consider community need when planning new programs.

 

10.  Uphold the Code of Ethics Relative to Human Service Professionals – Many positions such as Direct Support Professionals, Nurses, and Social Workers have their own Code of Ethics related to that particular profession. Awareness, familiarity, and use of codes are expected in employment at Greystone Programs.

 

11.  Protect Confidentiality of the Individuals We Support, the Staff Who Serve Them, and Agency-sensitive Information – All Greystone representatives and employees are responsible to safeguard and respect the confidentiality and privacy of the Individuals we support in accordance with the rules and regulations of HIPAA.

Examples of Breach of Code:

· Breach of confidentiality during an investigation;

· Inappropriate release of information regarding an Individual we serve;

· Obtain an individual’s diagnosis or test result without consent;

· Release names of staff/Individuals outside of the workplace;

· Gossip about colleagues in and out of the work environment.