Code of Conduct

PURPOSE

To provide employees with professional standards of conduct and to outline what are considered
breaches of conduct together with the appropriate remedial actions.

The Code of Conduct sets guidelines for staff to ensure that:

the organisation runs efficiently and effectively;

staff are treated fairly and appropriately;
disciplinary action does not come as a surprise;
professional standards of behaviour are displayed at all times whilst staff are on Camp
Australia business.

If you are unsure of the appropriate action to take in any given situation you should discuss this in the
first instance with your manager.

APPLICATION

The Code of Conduct applies to all staff whether permanent, casual, volunteers or contractors, and
whether in direct care of children or office based.

POLICY

Every employee of Camp Australia is provided with a copy of the Code of Conduct and acknowledge
acceptance through commencement of employment. Updates of this policy are available on Base Camp.

Code of Conduct

Camp Australias Code of Conduct addresses the expectations of all employees with respect to their
individual conditions of appointment, the interests of Camp Australia and its staff, and the welfare of
children and the public with whom they interact.

Employees have an obligation to Camp Australia to:

1. Be present at work as required by their contract. To be absent from the workplace only with
legitimate reasons or proper authorisation.
2. Maintain expected standards of performance. Employees should carry out their duties in an
efficient and competent manner, and avoid behaviour which might impair their work performance
or jeopardise the safety of children, other staff, members of the public, or Camp Australia property.
3. Behave in a way appropriate to a child safe environment as per Camp Australia policies; this
includes limited physicality.
4. Respect the rights of others. In performing their duties, employees should respect the rights of
their colleagues and the public. In meeting this obligation, employees are expected to:
Avoid behaviour that might endanger or cause distress to other employees, children or
members of the public;
 Refrain from allowing workplace relationships to adversely affect the performance of official
duties;
Respect the privacy of individuals when dealing with personal information;
Not discriminate against or harass children, fellow employees or members of the public
because of, but not limited to, their gender, age, marital status, ethnicity, disability, religious or
ethical beliefs, colour, race, political opinion, employment status, or sexual orientation;
Respect the cultural background and beliefs of fellow employees, children, and members of
the public across all interactions;
Have due regard for the safety of others in the use of Camp Australia property and resources.

5. Obey all lawful and reasonable employer instructions (including Camp Australia policies and
procedures) and to work as directed. Implicit in this is an obligation to obey all State and Federal
Laws.
6. Maintain proper standards of integrity and conduct in the performance of their duties and
elsewhere if Camp Australias reputation may be affected.
7. Show reasonable care, and neither use, nor allow the use of Camp Australia property, resources,
or funds for unauthorised purposes.
8. Incur no liability on the part of Camp Australia without proper authorisation.
9. Maintain all necessary qualifications and checks to enable performance of their duties legally and
efficiently.
10. Not to demand, claim or accept any fee, gratuity, commission, or benefit from any person or
persons other than Camp Australia in payment for any matter or thing concerned with the
employee's duties and responsibilities, except with the prior written consent of Camp Australia.
11. Ensure that at no time during their employment or subsequent to termination, knowingly or without
due care, disclose confidential information or information relating to any of the business affairs,
software, property or other activities of Camp Australia management.
12. Not divulge or communicate any personal information concerning a child or their family other than
in the discharge of official duties.
13. Not engage in or undertake any work or activity nor accept appointment to any position which
might conflict with or be in competition with the business of Camp Australia or adversely affect the
performance of the employee's duties without the prior written consent of Camp Australia.

Breaches of the Code of Conduct - Types of Misconduct

The following performance concerns constitute a breach of Camp Australia's Code of Conduct. This list
should not be regarded as exhaustive. Any other matters of a similarly serious nature may lead to
disciplinary action being taken. Any breach of the Code of Conduct should be read in conjunction with
Camp Australias disciplinary process.

As a general rule, misconduct usually falls into one of the following categories:

Absenteeism;
Dishonesty;
Wilful disobedience;
Misconduct;
Unsatisfactory work performance;
Conduct detrimental to the best interests of Camp Australia.

For the purpose of this policy, misconduct is considered across two levels:
 Misconduct - will generally lead to disciplinary procedures being invoked;
Serious Misconduct - will generally lead to dismissal. Any such dismissal of an employee may
be with or without notice (summary dismissal).

Is an Action 'Misconduct' or 'Serious Misconduct'

Whether such actions fall into the category of 'Misconduct' or 'Serious Misconduct' will depend on the
circumstances in each case. In making judgements of this kind, the following considerations apply:

The nature and circumstances of the activity;

The position, duties and responsibilities of the employee;
The consequences of the activity on the employee to fulfill their duties and responsibilities;
The effects of the activity or its consequences on working relationships with colleagues,
children, their families, outside contacts and the general public.

Conduct generally defined under misconduct may be regarded as serious misconduct if these actions are
such that they could lead to substantial risks to children and Camp Australia employees, or major
damage or loss, whether of a physical or monetary nature to Camp Australia.

Behaviour Outside of Work

As a general principle, personal (out of work) behaviour is no concern of management except where it
interferes with the performance of official duties or reflects on the standing or integrity of Camp Australia.
Therefore employees should not bring Camp Australia into disrepute through their private activities.

Misconduct

Misconduct comprises of actions or omissions which, regarded in isolation do not warrant severe
disciplinary action, such as dismissal.

Where it is found that an employee has breached any of the acts or omissions classified as misconduct,
they will receive a written warning before being dismissed. Should an employee offend again following a
written warning they may be dismissed with notice or pay in lieu of notice.

The warning procedure may be applied to other unrelated offences occurring in the same period.

Instances of such behaviour may include, but are not limited to, the following examples:

Failure to follow Camp Australia policies, standard procedures, and regulations and/or a
legitimate instruction given by a supervisor or other authorised person.
Failure to maintain an acceptable level of work performance, for example, incompetence,
carelessness, inefficiency, time wasting, tardiness;
Failure without good reason, to notify a manager that they are unable to commence work at the
usual time;
Habitually arriving late for duty;
Being absent from their assigned place of work during working hours without authority or without
legitimate excuse;
Sleeping while on duty;
 Improper use, undue wastage or wilful damage or negligent use of Camp Australia property,
resources, and equipment;
Reporting for work inappropriately dressed or in such a condition that they are unable to perform
the required duties in a safe and proper manner;
Inappropriate and/or disruptive behaviour in the workplace;
Posting offensive notices on notice boards or elsewhere in Camp Australia or related services;
Offensive or unreasonable behaviour likely to cause distress to children and their families or
Camp Australia employees. This will include the use of abusive or offensive language, sexually
suggestive behaviour, physically intimidating behavior, racially offensive behaviour, or any other
conduct which is likely to cause distress or offence;
Failure to report a fire or observe safety rules, working in an unsafe manner, or failing to make
proper use of safety equipment when such equipment is installed or provided;
Smoking at any school or other location when working for or representing Camp Australia;
Failure to report to a manager any accident involving personal injury to a child, fellow colleague,
or member of the public, or damage to Camp Australia or client property.

Serious Misconduct

Serious Misconduct is behaviour which undermines the trust and confidence inherent in the employment
relationship between the employee and the employer, and/or seriously threatens the wellbeing of Camp
Australia, the staff, a member of the public or children in the care of Camp Australia.

If an employee has breached any of the acts or omissions classified as serious misconduct, they may be
dismissed with notice or without notice (summary dismissal).

If an employee is suspected of breaching any of the acts or omissions classified as serious misconduct,
they may be suspended to allow a formal investigation into the alleged acts or omissions. A suspension
of this nature will normally be on full pay.

Whilst an employee is suspended they must not utilise Camp Australia property, attend work premises or
engage in any duty related to their position without authorisation.

Instances of such offensive behaviour are deemed to include, but are not limited to, the following:

Refusing to perform properly specified duties or to carry out lawful instructions of managers or
supervisors, or walking off the job;
Unless an employment contract provides otherwise, being absent for three consecutive working
days without authorisation (abandonment of employment);
Consuming intoxicating liquor on Camp Australia premises or any other locations where Camp
Australia services are being provided;
Bringing intoxicating liquor into Camp Australia premises or on Camp Australia business without
authorisation;
Consuming intoxicating liquor prior to commencing work in an OSHC program
The use of, or being in possession of non-prescribed prohibited drugs while on Camp Australia
premises, at any other locations where Camp Australia services are being provided or on Camp
Australia business;
Behaviour causing a safety risk to children or staff, such as smoking or unauthorised use of fire
protection or safety equipment;
 Assaulting or threatening to assault any child, family member, visitor, or employee on Camp
Australia premises or any other locations where Camp Australia services are being provided;
Acts or omissions which jeopardise the safety of children, members of the public or another staff
member;
Falsifying any claim for reimbursement or remuneration;
Failure to report to a manager any accident involving a child's welfare;
Unreasonable behaviour towards a child, family member, member of the public, or employee of
Camp Australia. This will include the use of abusive language or any other conduct which is
likely to cause unreasonable distress or offence;
Unauthorised possession of property belonging to a child, family member, visitor, or Camp
Australia. Possession or removal of another employee's property without the employee's
consent;
Wilfully submitting a false claim on a timesheet, submitting a false claim for expenses, or any
other deliberate falsification of a Camp Australia record;
Misrepresenting Camp Australia for personal gain;
Disclosing to an unauthorised person any confidential information concerning any child and their
family, client, or employee of Camp Australia or disclosing any other information which is
confidential to Camp Australia;
Deliberate or negligent actions or omissions resulting in serious damage to Camp Australia
property;
Coercive harassment of children, members of the public or other staff members.

Any employee in breach of this policy may be subject to disciplinary action, including termination. Should
an employee have any doubts about any aspect of the Code of Conduct they must seek clarification from
their manager.

This policy is regularly reviewed by Camp Australia and any changes will be implemented by Human
Resources.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF CODE

I have read and agree to abide by this Code of Conduct during my employment with Camp Australia.

Name Nathalie Torres Lopez

..............................

Signature N.T

Date 21/11/14