Code of Ethics

Carmichael Enterprises Residential Programs Ltd has established this Code of Ethics to guide the actions of staff and volunteers; in their treatment of persons served receiving the services provided by this organization. Each new staff member or volunteer will be required to review and sign the code, showing acceptance of it. Any staff member, or volunteer who violates one of the agencies codes of ethics may face disciplinary action. This may be in the form of a verbal warning, a written warning or even termination of employment/ volunteer service.

The Core Values that serve as roots for our Code of Ethics are:

  • Respect for Each Other: Staff and volunteers will use thoughtful consideration of the needs of others-staff members, volunteers and persons served, families of persons served.
  • Conciliation: Staff and volunteers act in a spirit of compromise and agreement. Each individual will hear and respect the others point of view and be open to constructive feedback/discussion.
  • Honesty: All staff members and volunteers will deal honestly with other staff persons, volunteers, persons served and families of persons served. The value of honesty cannot be compromised. We must be honest without being hurtful.
  • Communication: All staff members and volunteers will communicate all concerns, directly with the individual(s) they have concerns with or about. If this does not resolve the concerns, then going to that individual’s manager will be the next step taken. Communication of concerns in a direct and immediate fashion is of paramount importance to the success of any organization.
  • Trust: Each of us will be non-judgmental on issues. We will be supportive of others and responsive in any time of need.

Treatment of Persons Receiving Services

  1. Persons receiving services must always be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of disability or other potential deficit areas.
  2. The input of persons receiving our services or the services of other agencies into the rehabilitation process is not only important but it is paramount. The input should always be accepted in a respectful manner.
  3. Persons served receiving services give up no legal rights when they come to Carmichael Enterprises. There for, a persons legal rights must be respected at all times.
  4. An environment must be maintained in which persons receiving services may learn and develop.
  5. The organization and its employees must be ever vigilant as to the attitudinal, architectural, and communication barriers that may exist in the agency. Where these barriers exist, the organization and staff must consider corrective action.

Staff Members

  1. I will do my best to see that Carmichael Enterprises meets the needs of the persons served .
  2. I will respect the value and dignity of all staff, volunteers, and persons served.
  3. I will do my best to create and maintain a climate of loyalty, trust, and mutual respect.
  4. I will support a work environment in which the work of each individual is respected as important.
  5. I will recognize excellent work done by other staff members and persons receiving services.
  6. I will never engage in unnecessary physical contact with persons served.
  7. I will never let my work at another job interfere with the quality of my work with Carmichael Enterprises.
  8. I will never work more than 12 hours in a 24 hour period, without the written permission of my house manager or direct supervisor.
  9. I will ensure that I have at least 8 hours down time between shifts at Carmichael Enterprises. This is my own responsibility, not the person(s) who make up the schedule.
  10. I will always speak to everyone in a respectful, positive, enthusiastic, and courteous way.
  11. I will support a work atmosphere that is open and non-secretive; while being mindful of the need for confidentiality.
  12. I will support the decisions of management. I may state my position, but ultimately staff members must follow management’s final decision.
  13. I will be loyal to the company. I will refrain from doing anything that might bring discredit to the agency.
  14. I will never disclose information about persons served, fellow staff members, or management. Such as phone numbers, addresses, or personal information to any outside person/persons or organization. To do so would be grounds for immediate termination of employment with Carmichael Enterprises.
  15. I will never try to engage fellow staff members, persons served, in any kind of business transaction, whether it is my trying to sell them something, or connecting them with a third party for the same purpose.
  16. I acknowledge that enthusiasm and a positive attitude always make for a better work place.
  17. I will uphold all applicable laws and regulations, going beyond the letter of law to protect and/or enhance Carmichael Enterprises ability to meet its mission statement.
  18. I will be a responsible steward of Carmichael Enterprises resources.
  19. I will ensure that my personal file is complete and up to date, with regard to certification, licenses, important health information, and/or recent changes to criminal record status i.e. criminal convictions.
  20. I will strive for personal and professional growth to improve my effectiveness.
  21. I will carefully consider the public perception of my personal and professional actions, and the effect my actions could have on Carmichael Enterprises reputation in my community and elsewhere.

Treatment of Family members/Community

  1. Family members and members of the community must always be treated with respect and dignity.
  2. Requests for information from members of the Family/community members are responded to in a timely manner. Except for when issues of confidentiality prevent the communication of information, in all cases management will decide what may or may not be communicated to family/community members.
  3. Concerns or complaints from the family/community members are addressed.
  4. Input is solicited from the family members and is considered in a respectful manner.

Standards of Conduct

Alcohol/Substance Abuse
  1. Possessing, dispensing, or using a controlled substance during work hours without medical prescription is strictly prohibited. Reporting to work or working under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance without a medical prescription is strictly prohibited. Any employee with a problem relating to either alcohol or drug abuse is encouraged to contact their manager for referral to treatment services.
Confidentiality
  1. Employees shall adhere to the confidentiality guidelines as established in the Young Offenders Act. All information regarding services to individual persons served is protected under the law. Release of such information requires proper authorization.
  2. Employees shall take special precautions to safeguard client confidentiality. Each employee shall protect the confidentiality of individuals’ information, store confidential information and materials in authorized and locked storage facilities, and release such information only with the proper authorization.
  3. Employees will never discuss information regarding persons served, with other persons served. Any information in progress logs, staff communication logs, are considered confidential information and release of any such information is done only with proper authorization.
Courtesy
  1. Employees shall not work in a manner that willfully obstructs or hinders the work of another employee, and they shall work in a manner that is conducive to efficiency and safety.
Insubordination
  1. Insubordination is the refusal of a legitimate, work related order from a supervisor or management personnel, or the use of obscene or otherwise objectionable language to such personnel in a threatening manner. Insubordination undermines the discipline and authority needed in the workplace. All employees shall avoid insubordinate behavior.
Professionalism
  1. Employees shall maintain a high level of professionalism in their work. Among other things, professionalism requires an employee to adhere to the performance and ethical standards of their profession; work in a courteous and efficient manner; undertake continuing efforts to improve relationships with the public, coworkers, and persons served; maintain a positive attitude toward their work; and, at all times, to represent the agency well in their dealings with persons served and the public.
  2. Employees shall maintain professional and ethical relations with persons served at all times.
  3. Employees shall not have personal relationships with persons served. Such relationships may subject employees to conflicts of interest which would interfere with effective services to persons served, and they may subject persons served to unnecessary and potentially damaging conflicts and stress which could interfere with their effective use of agency services.

Policy Governing Staff / Individual Relationships

The Policy Governing Staff/Individual Relationships, is the stated, written policy of Carmichael Enterprises, regarding staff/individual relationships with persons served.

It is a violation of Carmichael Enterprises policy and of professional ethics for staff persons to engage in interpersonal relationships with individuals receiving services through the agency beyond what is necessary and approved by Carmichael Enterprises administration for therapeutic service to its individuals. Specifically this means:

  1. Staff must refrain from personal relationships with persons served outside of their paid employment.
  2. Staff must form relationships with persons served based solely for professional purposes.
  3. Professional relationships are to be based on objectivity and self-awareness which allows staff persons to step outside of personal and emotional needs, and to be sensitive to the needs of individuals.
  4. Staff persons are encouraged to incorporate empathy, warmth, and genuineness into their style of instruction and communication with individuals, but with the awareness that these qualities are reinforcing to individuals, and must consciously be used in an objective manner which will not interfere with the professional relationship.
  5. Staff are strictly prohibited from taking persons served into their homes. (staff homes)
  6. Staff must not engage in personal activities with persons served. Such as:
    • Meeting with significant others & friends.
    • Involving persons served in personal activities or obligations.

Violation of this policy will result in termination of employment.

Financial Practices

  1. All financial practices of Carmichael Enterprises, shall be handled in accordance with the applicable federal, provincial, and local laws.
  2. All financial matters shall be conducted within the standards of commonly accepted, sound financial management practices.
  3. Receipts must be provided by staff members for all purchases.

Grievances & Complaints

Carmichael Enterprises maintain systems which make the Reporting of an issue, complaint or grievance by persons receiving services, staff or stakeholders non-threatening and safe. All individuals will be informed of their rights and will have the process of making a complaint a part of their orientation to services and annual review.

Persons making a complaint or grievance, in person, by phone, or by other means, will be advised that all complaints may be made in writing to the Executive Director.

If an individual receiving services wishes to proceed with a complaint, a staff will assist if required in writing the complaint.

Individuals reporting a complaint will be informed that all complaints are serious and may be investigated internally or in some cases by Community Care Licensing, and there will be no reprisal against them for making a complaint.

If there is no satisfactory resolution, the person will be advised of their right to carry their complaint forward to the appropriate authorities (CLBC, Child/Youth Family Advocate Children’s Commission, ombudsman, MP, MLA).

Whenever possible, the organization shall use a conflict resolution process; to resolve a conflict that may exist between a person served and Carmichael Enterprises or it’s staff.

The general nature of all complaints, will be documented by the organization including the resolution, within (30) days of the complaint being brought forward. Each person will be notified to the extent possible, of the outcome or resolution.

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