County of San Bernardino - Ethics and Compliance

Ethical Direction

Compass photo Value statements and ethical standards provide County officials and employees with guidelines for acceptable workplace behavior. These guidelines may be found in the County's ethics codes and its policies and standard practices as well as in various departmental codes of conduct. Many state and federal ethics laws also apply to the County workforce. County employees and officials with ethics-related questions may submit them through the EthicsLine.

Commitment to County Public Service

County employees have an important responsibility to serve and uphold the public trust. Each employee has a personal responsibility to demonstrate high ethical standards by conducting business in an honest manner and stiving to provide residents with a safe, clean, and healthy environment. In 2003, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors established a set of values to which the County would be committed. The Board proclaimed the County is dedicated to:

Valuing its workforce by providing recognition, training and education, opportunities for customer service and career development, a safe and healthy work environment and fair compensation.

Appreciation and promotion of the diverse cultures that comprise the County workforce and the communities it serves.

Leadership by coordinating regional planning through collaboration with local communities and businesses.

Unquestioned integrity that embraces a culture of honor and trustworthiness.

Excellence in the development of efficient and cost-effective strategies to improve customer service in an atmosphere that allows and encourages new ideas.

Service of the highest quality, delivered with dignity and respect.

County Ethics Codes

All County employees and officials are subject to the County's Code of Ethics. Several County departments have their own conduct codes and policies that operate in concert with the County's ethics codes to set standards of behavior for staff responsible for providing that particular entity's unique services.

Personnel Policies

The Personnel Rules for the County of San Bernardino establish rules governing personnel practices. Additionally, the County has numerous policies on topics including technology use, telephone use, procurement, and non-discrimination/harrassment, to name a few.

Statement of Economic Interests

The Political Reform Act requires certain officials and employees who serve in positions designated in the County's Conflict of Interest Code to file a Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) when assuming/leaving office and on an annual basis. You can search online for filed statements of Category 1 and Category 5 filers.

In addition, the Political Reform Act requires every government agency to review its conflict of interest code biennially to determine whether it should be amended. The Clerk of the Board oversees this biennial review process for designated agencies within San Bernardino County.

The Ethics in San Bernardino County Government Act

The Ethics in San Bernardino County Government Act contains sections of the County Code which state ethical standards for County officials, employees and members of Boards, Commissions, and Committees and penalties for non-compliance.

Conflicts of Interest

A conflict of interest occurs when personal interests conflict with, or even appear to conflict with, the interests of the County and the public. No official or employee shall engage in any business or transaction or shall have a financial or other personal interest or association which is in conflict with the proper discharge of official duties or would tend to impair independence of judgment or action in the performance of official duties. Personal, as distinguished from financial interest, includes an interest arising from blood or marriage relationships or close business, personal, or political association.

Employees are also subject to applicable provisions of the California Government Code, including but not limited to, Sections 1090, 1126, 87100, and/or any other conflict of interest code, policy, or rule applicable to County employment.

Examples of a potential conflict of interest may include:

Engaging in outside employment that interferes with work for the County or uses County time or resources
Abusing position and authority to divert County business for personal or financial gain
Hiring or supervising family members
Having a significant financial investment in a vendor or company that could be affected by decisions made at work

When in doubt as to whether a situation constitutes a potential conflict of interest, ask these questions:

Do I or a family member or friend stand to benefit from my involvement in this situation?
Will whether or not I choose to participate in this situation affect the extent to which I or my family or friends may benefit from it?
Would my involvement in this situation be awkward or difficult to explain if others learned about it?

If the answer is "yes" to any of these questions, it is probably a conflict of interest. However, it is important to remember that conflicts of interest may not always be obvious. If you have questions or become aware of an actual or potential conflict of interest, contact the County so that appropriate steps can be taken to resolve the conflict.

Political Activities

County employees are encouraged to participate in the political process to the extent that such participation does not interfere with the orderly performance of duties and functions. Employees may not use County resources, equipment, time, or funds for a political activity.

Non-Discrimination/Harassment

All County employees or applicants for employment are to be treated with respect and dignity. It is the policy of the County not to discriminate against, nor tolerate the harassment of employees or applicants for employment on the basis of protected categories such as age, ancestry, color, race, sex (gender), religion, national origin, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, or association with someone in a protected category. For information or assistance, contact the County's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Office at (909) 387- 5584.