New mandatory ethics training
Washington State University is now requiring annual ethics training for all of its employees systemwide.
The new mandatory training requirement is part of an overall update of WSU’s ethics policy that took effect in December. The policy serves as a key resource for WSU personnel trying to navigate the myriad of state ethics laws.
The update:
- Consolidates state and university ethics requirements;
- Sets forth requirements for avoiding conflicts of interest and conflicts of commitment and establishes procedures for handling these when they arise;
- Implements a voluntary pre-approval and safe harbor process for faculty engaging in compensated outside scholarship activities; and
- Establishes the mandatory ethics training on an annual basis for all WSU personnel.
The policy is user-friendly and includes examples on how the state’s ethics requirements work in real life.
To ensure WSU personnel understand their ethics-related obligations, all personnel are now required to undergo ethics training on an annual basis. The training is available on Percipio, the HRS training platform.
“As public employees, we hold positions of public trust,” said WSU System President Kirk Schulz. “A comprehensive ethics policy and robust training program are essential components of a university culture that fosters ethical and professional conduct. This is not only required by state law but is critical to the success of WSU’s mission.”
