CODE OF CONDUCT
POLICY

The Code of Conduct Policy (“the Code”) outlines standards of personal and professional conduct that all clients, recipients, volunteer, directors, employees, and agents of  BartMeph Foundation and its related entities, Trusts (‘we’, ‘us’, ‘our’ and ‘BartMeph ’)  must uphold. Corporate members, participant company, stakeholders , contractors, their employees and agents, and other visitors engaging in any BartMeph Foundation related activity are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with this policy.

 

Scope

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This policy applies to:

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• BartMeph employee, volunteer, director, and agent,

• BartMeph client or recipient, visitor

• Corporate member, participant company, stakeholders , contractors including their employees and agents

 

The list above hereafter referred to as the collective ‘individuals’.

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Policy and procedures

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This policy is underpinned by the BartMeph's values of Passion, Respect , Care, Integrity, and Accountability.

• Passion - We work with passion, entrepreneurial spirit, and teamwork to support our clients in pursuing those things that make their lives exciting, fulfilling, and meaningful.

• Respect - We treat all our stakeholders with respect and integrity in order to earn their trust.

• Care - We care about the interest of our clients, recipients, members, and employees and aim to make a real difference to their lives. Hence we enforce client-centred approach to ensure that we provide solutions that truly meet the needs of our clients and change the landscape of disability

• Integrity - Our relationships with supporters, partners, and those with whom we work are carried out with integrity, transparency, honesty, and objectivity.

• Accountability - We have a responsibility towards our people, property, and information, as well as laws, regulations and policies that are relevant to the areas in which we operate

 

No Welfare, Evangelism, or Partisan Politics 

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This policy is also underpinned by the Foundation’s principles of independence and self-sufficiency mean that we do not engage in or support welfare programs, evangelism, or partisan politics either in our own work or the activities and strategies we support and fund. This approach endeavours to benefit groups selected on the basis of need  and not on religious, sectarian or political grounds. This approach aligns with our commitment to ensure that funds and other resources designated for the purposes of aid and development will be used only for those purposes and will not be used to promote a particular religious adherence or to support a political party, or to promote a candidate or organisation affiliated to a political party.

 

All individuals are required to undertake their duties and behave in a professional, responsible, conscientious, and respectful manner, at all times acting in the best interests of BartMeph . In particular Individuals;

 

1. must behave honestly and with integrity in connection with any of their duties and undertaking

2. must act with care and diligence

3. when acting in connection with BartMeph related activity, must treat everyone with respect and courtesy, and without harassment.

4. when acting in connection with BartMeph related activity, must comply with all applicable local laws. For this purpose, ‘local law’ means:  (a) any Act (including this Act), or any instrument made under an Act; or  (b) any law of a Country, State or Territory, including any instrument made under such a law.

5.  must comply with any lawful and reasonable direction given by someone in the BartMeph's agent who has authority to give the direction.

6.  must maintain appropriate confidentiality all dealings

7. must take reasonable steps to avoid any conflict of interest (real or apparent) in connection with the BartMeph related activity; and

8. must disclose details of any material personal interest in connection with the BartMeph related activity

9.  must use BartMeph resources in a proper manner and for a proper purpose.

10. must not provide false or misleading information in response to a request for information that is made for official purposes in connection with the BartMeph related activity.

11. must not improperly use inside information or the individual's duties, status, power, or authority:  (a) to gain, or seek to gain, a benefit or an advantage for themselves or any other person; or  (b) to cause, or seek to cause, detriment to the BartMeph or any other person.

12. must at all times behave in a way that upholds the BartMeph values , privacy principles and the integrity and good reputation of the BartMeph

 

Confidentiality

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Individuals may have access to personal or other information relating to individuals, or financial and other operations of BartMeph . This information is to be used for appropriate purposes only and should remain secure and confidential. Confidential or sensitive information relating to BartMeph and its operations must not be released to an unauthorised internal or external person.

 

Privacy and use of personal and official information

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Individuals have an obligation to ensure that information is secured against loss, misuse or unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. There is a duty to maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and security of official information for which they are responsible. Individuals are required to observe the legal and ethical requirements relating to the collection, storage, use and disclosure of personal, private, and confidential information, including the BartMeph Privacy Policy.

 

Public conduct, media contact and use of official information

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Whilst Individuals can contribute to public debate on social issues, there are some circumstances in which public comment is inappropriate. Public comment by Individuals should not imply that the comment, although made in a private capacity, is in some way an official comment by BartMeph Foundation .

Personal views and opinions cannot and should not be expressed or communicated through a BartMeph Foundation medium and cannot be communicated in any form as BartMeph’s view or opinion. Individuals who may comment on a public forum on behalf of BartMeph will seek authorisation from the CEO. In this instance, communication must be in keeping with the mission, organisational values, and direction of the Foundation, and must protect the reputation of the organisation.

 

External employment

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BartMeph will not restrain employees, volunteers, directors, and agents from working outside business hours or scheduled hours provided that the employees do not undermine or compromise BartMeph e.g. placing one in conflict with their official duties, or would lead to the perception that they have placed themselves in conflict with their duties.

 

BartMeph employees, volunteers, directors, and agents may not accept outside payment for activities which would be regarded as part of their normal BartMeph related work activities.

 

Conflict of interest

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BartMeph is committed to demonstrating impartiality and integrity by requiring individuals to declare conflicts of interest. A conflict of interest exists when it appears likely that an individual could be influenced, or where it could be perceived that an individual is influenced, by a personal interest in carrying out their duty.

 

Individuals must ensure that there is no conflict or incompatibility between their personal interests, whether pecuniary or non-pecuniary, and the impartial fulfilment of their duties. This extends to improper influence or interest of any person to obtain promotion, transfer, or information for which they are unauthorised or for any other advantage. Financial involvement or undertaking that could directly or indirectly compromise or undermine the performance of one’s duties or BartMeph's objectives or activities should be avoided. Individuals must disclose and declare any conflict of interest using the Declaration of Conflict of Interest Form, and take reasonable steps to avoid, any conflict of interest in connection with BartMeph .

 

Diversity, inclusion, and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

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BartMeph is a diverse and inclusive organisation. The value of a diverse workforce is respected and there is a strong commitment from the organisation to support all individuals. BartMeph values the differences between people and the contribution these differences make to our business.

 

Diversity may result from a range of factors including origin, age, gender, race, cultural heritage, religion, lifestyle, education, physical ability, disability, appearance, language, or other relevant diversity factors. BartMeph actively manages diversity by utilising differences that exist in order to improve our business and opportunities for all. It is the responsibility of all individuals to create an environment where everyone is actively encouraged and enabled to contribute to the best of their abilities and are treated fairly.

 

Anti-Bullying and Harassment

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BartMeph is committed to promoting relations which are free from bullying, harassment, and unlawful discrimination. Harassment includes language or conduct that may be derogatory, intimidating, or offensive to others. Bullying and intimidating behaviour is repeated inappropriate behaviour that undermines someone’s right to respect at work or in the community.

 

Individuals must respect the rights of all peoples including children, and must contribute to a community and working environment characterised by mutual respect, integrity, dignity and non-discrimination.

 

We are committed to ensuring a safe environment and culture for all individuals with whom we come in contact during the course of our work. We strongly condemn all forms of abuse.

 

Abuse of Power and Child abuse Safeguards 

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We hold a privileged position of power and trust in relation to our partners and the communities that we come from and serve.  We are committed to ensure that our relationships and behaviour are not exploitative, abusive or corrupt in any way, and will not engage in any form of sexual abuse or exploitation of any persons of any age. In all countries where we work, we are committed and comply by the Article 19 of UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) which undertakes to protect children from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect, maltreatment and exploitation. The Foundation follows principles and procedures described in the local children protection laws, including procedures relating to screening and vetting our workforce, and implementing child protection safeguards. BartMeph expects all those to whom this policy applies to act in accordance with the above legislation and standards that relate to Child Safeguarding at all times, regardless of location

 

No Gifts and Benefits to be offered or accepted by Employees, Volunteers or Contractors

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Gifts refer to physical items with a monetary value, including cash, goods, services or vouchers for goods and services. Benefits refer to prizes, special offers or customer-specific discounts on goods, services or other assets.

All Employees, Volunteers must at all time:

1. Avoid accepting gifts and benefits in connection with official duty

2. Consider the potential for any gift to undermine your personnel security or the security controls of your work area

3. Report all reportable gifts and benefits accepted in connection with official duty to the CEO or delegate

 

All Employees, Volunteers and Contractors must :

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1.  never receive or accept money on behalf of BartMeph . All payments or donations should directed to the organisations’ banks account - Name: BartMeph Foundation , BSB #: 06 2340, Account #: 10564303 , Bank Name: Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Bank Swift Code: CTBAAU2S

2. never accept  gifts or benefits offered in connection with their official duties or because of their position in the organisation. Doing so may give rise to conflicts of interest or perceived conflicts of interest. Improperly accepting gifts or benefits may also compromise BartMeph ’ s reputation for impartiality and professionalism.

3. never borrow or lend money to our  internal or external stakeholders, participant or recipient of our programs , nor misuse or damage the reputation and trust build by the organisation with the public.

 

Employees, Volunteers and Contractors must not make improper use of inside information, or their duties, status, power or authority in order to gain, or seek to gain, a benefit or advantage for themselves, or for any other person.

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All Volunteers

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BartMeph recognises volunteers are an integral part of the organisation and a valuable asset to the disability inclusion community. BartMeph provides training and other guiding resources to ensure that volunteers are effective. Volunteers acknowledge;

1. There is no financial payment to volunteers and the work done is of benefit to individuals with disabilities.

2. To enable volunteers to work with individuals with disabilities, volunteers are expected to be financially responsible for their own time and resources, e.g. own internet, travel fare, airtime, printing e.tc and pioneer volunteering as  ‘Time and resources willingly given for the common good and without payment’.

3. Volunteers who manage to provide hands-on proactive task assigned assistance to at least twenty (20) individuals with disabilities, may be awarded the BETA Program Appreciation Certificate which can be valuable in enhancing one's lifetime achievements and possibly securing employment around the globe.

4.  The privacy of all individuals with disabilities and handle all information in accordance with our Privacy Policy                           

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Volunteers are not under any obligation to perform work and should immediately notify BartMeph in writing if they wish to opt out of the volunteering program.