Principle 4: Diligence
Context:
The ethical principle of diligence requires staff to perform their work duties to the best of their ability and provide a 'fair day's work for a fair day's pay'. There is an expectation that you exercise proper application, care, and attention when carrying out your work. As a responsible and accountable officer you must ensure that your decisions and actions are in the best interests of the department and the Government of the day.
The manner in which you perform your role must be based on the optimum use of your knowledge and skills. You must also exercise a duty of care to those you have contact with in the course of your work duties, or those who may reasonably be affected by the work you do.
^ Top of page
In this section:
Obligations
Standards
^ Top of page
4.1 Obligations
All employees have an obligation to maintain high standards of behaviour and apply themselves industriously to their official duties. This includes:
- refraining from using alcohol, legal drugs or other substances in a way that could have an adverse effect on your work performance, your behaviour, or reputation
- supporting the department to achieve its goals
- being familiar with and following all the legislation, directives, guidelines, standards, policies, and procedures etc. which are relevant to the performance of your duties
- making all reasonable efforts to provide high standards of service to students and clients
- adhering to any relevant professional standards of conduct that are consistent with your official duties and professional capacity
- exercising your obligations in relation to the health and safety of yourself and others
- taking responsibility for any actions or decisions for which you are accountable as part of your official duties
- not allowing your own conduct to distract or prevent other officials from performing their duties diligently.
^ Top of page
4.2 Standards
The following sections outline the standards you must adopt in the administration and stewardship of your duties.
^ Top of page
4.2.1 Performing your duties
- You must perform your work duties competently and responsively.
- You have a responsibility to maintain the accuracy, integrity and appropriate confidentiality of all departmental information.
- You are expected to adhere to departmental arrangements and industrial agreements/awards regarding attendance at work and leave (e.g. not being absent without authority, accurate recording of work and leave periods).
- You must only take leave of absence from your work duties when authorised to do so. When you are unable to attend your place of work all reasonable efforts must be made to make contact with your supervisor or other appropriate departmental staff. For example, in the case of a natural disaster, employees must comply with their school's critical incident plan and perform duties assigned to them unless directed to leave by their supervisor.
- Staff who supervise students in the instruction of the department must take reasonable steps to protect them from foreseeable injury and harm.
^ Top of page
4.2.2 Self-development
You have an obligation to develop your knowledge and skills, and to keep up-to-date with the latest changes related to your official duties. To achieve this, you are to take reasonable steps to identify and apply for development opportunities.
Supervisors must provide fair and equitable access to training for staff and assist the department to fulfil identified and agreed training goals and objectives.
^ Top of page
4.2.3 Fitness for duty - alcohol, drugs and medication
If you are using medication that may affect your work performance you should notify your supervisor or manager.
If you are a supervisor or manager, you will need to consider the options available for assisting public officials who are required to take legally prescribed drugs and whose level of performance has been impaired.
Should you be suffering from a drug or alcohol problem that adversely affects your work performance you must actively seek professional assistance to correct the problem.
^ Top of page
4.2.4 Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in government buildings, vehicles and facilities. Employees are reminded that smoking in many public places is illegal and on the spot fines can be issued (see policy HLS-PR-001 Creating Smoke Free Environments). HLS-PR-001: Creating Smoke Free Environments.
Smokers must ensure that this activity does not adversely interfere with the service delivery of their work area (for more information, refer to the Queensland Government Smoking Policy 
).
^ Top of page
4.2.5 Personal conduct
You are reminded of your obligation under Section 26(i) of the Public Service Act 2008 (new window) 
: "In recognition that public service employment involves a public trust, a public service employee's work performance and personal conduct must be directed towards - (among other things) ensuring that the employee's personal conduct does not reflect adversely on the reputation of the public service".
Conduct that is disgraceful or improper and reflects seriously and adversely on the public service is grounds for disciplinary action under Chapter 6 Section 187 of the Public Service Act 2008 (new window) .
^ Top of page
4.2.6 Personal appearance
Dress, personal appearance and hygiene are important elements of professional presentation. You must ensure that your personal appearance and presentation is clean, tidy and appropriate for your work role and environment.
Employees who wear a uniform or other apparel that identifies them as an employee of the department must ensure that the uniform or apparel is clean, complete and in good order. If you are wearing a departmental uniform, or you are otherwise identifiable as a departmental official while off duty, you are expected to avoid conduct that may adversely affect the image of the department.
^ Top of page
Other languages