Codified Ethics

Codified ethics also states the consequences of violating a prohibition and the method by which the violation will be resolved or handled, including:

• Holding outside jobs/positions

• Gifts

• Kickbacks

• Campaign finances

• Economic interests

• Honoraria

• Conflicts of interest

• Lobbyist disclosures

• Bribery

Codified ethics also states what the consequences of violating a prohibition may be and the method by which the violation will be resolved or handled, including:

• Penalties

• Dispositions

• Complaints

• Training

• Sanctions

• Remedies

• Recovery of finances

• Whistleblower protections

Codified ethics often represents the minimum standard of behavior, and therefore, is typically insufficient to guide individuals in all ethical decision-making. Individuals also need to utilize value-based ethics in decision-making.

Value-based Ethics

Value-based ethics is the opposite of codified ethics, in that this form of ethics is subjective. Values refers to one’s beliefs and may include elements such as trustworthiness, respect, responsibility to the public, and avoiding the appearance of impropriety. Value-based ethics provides us with an opportunity to discuss how we should make decisions when we do not have codified ethics to rely upon.

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