NACM Ethics Subcommittee Discussion on Hiring Ethical Staff
The NACM Ethics Subcommittee discusses optimizing the hiring of ethical staff in courts, focusing on the Model Code of Conduct, personal qualities correlated with ethical behavior, and principles promoting professionalism.
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Presentation Transcript
NACM Ethics Subcommittee Discussion (1/26/23) Facilitated by Norman Meyer Clerk of Court, Retired Slide 1
NACM Ethics Discussion (1/26/23) Today s topic: What actions can a court take to optimize the hiring of ethical staff? In other words, what can you do to ensure that the people you hire will adhere to your court s Code of Conduct? Slide 2
NACM Ethics Discussion (1/26/23) The NACM Model Code of Conduct for Court Professionals has five Canons: Canon One( Avoiding Impropriety and the Appearance of Impropriety in All Activities ) addresses performing court duties, avoiding impropriety, being fair, respecting others, being involved in actions before a court, avoiding privilege, and assisting litigants. This Canon promotes the professional values of diligence, trustworthiness, courtesy, respect, and accountability. Slide 3
NACM Ethics Discussion (1/26/23) Canon Two( Performing the Duties of Position Impartially and Diligently ) judgment, personal relationships, misconduct reports, attempts at influence, proper record maintenance, legal requirements, discretion, and proper use of public resources. addresses independent Slide 4
NACM Ethics Discussion (1/26/23) Canon Three( Conducting Outside Activities to Minimize the Risk of Conflict with Official Position ) addresses outside business, compensation and post- employment restrictions, gifts, and financial disclosure. Canon Four( Refraining from Inappropriate Political Activity ) discusses appropriate political activity of court professionals. Slide 5
NACM Ethics Discussion (1/26/23) What personal qualities and values correlate to ethical behavior by court staff? Bruce Weinstein ( The Ethics Guy ) lists ten crucial qualities of high-character employees in his book, The Good Ones Slide 6
NACM Ethics Discussion (1/26/23) Honesty Accountability Care Courage Fairness Gratitude Humility Loyalty Patience Presence Which of these support ethical behavior? Slide 7
NACM Ethics Discussion (1/26/23) Let s focus on these three qualities : Honesty Fairness Accountability What actions can courts take to hire people with these qualities? Slide 8
NACM Ethics Discussion (1/26/23) Candidate recruitment DEI principles apply Position descriptions, and thus job announcement materials, reflect ethical standards and desired character traits ??? Slide 9
NACM Ethics Discussion (1/26/23) Screening Narrowing applicant pool Interviews References and background checks ??? Slide 10
NACM Ethics Discussion (1/26/23) What interview questions can you use to screen for: Honesty Fairness Accountability Slide 11
NACM Ethics Discussion (1/26/23) Possible interview questions about honesty: Tell me about a time when you had to tell a coworker an unpleasant truth. What were the challenges and how did you get past them? What happened? Have you ever cheated, and if so, what did you learn from it? Tell me about a time when you could have lied to a supervisor, but chose to tell the truth? What happened? Slide 12
NACM Ethics Discussion (1/26/23) Possible interview questions about fairness: Have you ever seen another staff member treated unfairly? What happened, and what, if anything, did you do about it? What are your biases? Tell me about a time you were discriminated against. How did it affect you, and what did you do as a result? Slide 13
NACM Ethics Discussion (1/26/23) Possible interview questions about accountability: Describe a situation in which you took responsibility for a mistake you made. What were the consequences to you for doing so? Have you ever taken responsibility for an error that another team member made? Tell me about it. Tell me about a typical working day. Slide 14
NACM Ethics Discussion (1/26/23) References and background checks: What might you ask prior employers and other references? Criminal history? Financial history? ??? Slide 15
NACM Ethics Discussion (1/26/23) What other actions might be effective to screen candidates for ethical qualities? Slide 16
NACM Ethics Discussion (1/26/23) What now? Is there anything we might do to follow up on today s discussion? Slide 17
NACM Ethics Discussion (1/26/23) Excellent resource The Good Ones, by Bruce Weinstein, New World Library, 2015 Slide 18
Thank you! Norman Meyer (505) 401-3779 normanmeyer@outlook.com Slide 19
