Appropriate Conduct In The Workplace

Appropriate conduct in the workplace is usually documented as a code, and most codes are written to be agreed with rather than used. Integrity, respect and accountability are difficult to disagree with and difficult to apply at four o’clock on a hard day.

Three tests make a code usable in the moment.

Would I be comfortable if this were repeated to the person I am talking about? Handles most of what happens in corridors.

Would I do this if my manager were standing here? Handles shortcuts and small dishonesties.

Would this look reasonable written down in an email? Handles tone, which is where most conduct complaints actually begin.

A code that gives people three questions is more use than one that gives them five nouns.

The Fair Work Ombudsman covers conduct obligations. This is general information rather than legal advice, and obligations vary by state and territory.

See Sentrient’s code of conduct training and workplace policy templates.