2.15 Employee Code of Conduct

Thunder Bay Public Library (TBPL) expects that its employees (management, union, non- union and volunteers) will meet ethical and professional standards for work performance. All employees have the right to work in a positive environment, which is free of harassment, threats, intimidation, violence, malicious comments in connection with job skills, character and/or reputation, and any other misconduct. Any violent, intimidating, threatening behaviour, or other misconduct, in any form, will not be tolerated.

All employees of TBPL.

The TBPL Board passed this Employee Code of Conduct to outline the desired behaviour to be observed by employees of the TBPL. These obligations for employees of TBPL are outlined in the six principles and additional standards below:

a. To act in a fair, honest, and proper manner according to the law.

b. To act with reasonable care and be diligent in the performance of their duties and responsibilities.

c. To be fair and honest in their dealings with individuals and organizations, and behave in a manner that facilitates constructive communication between the Library, the community and each other.

d. To seek and achieve a team approach with employees in an environment of mutual respect, trust and acceptance of their different roles in achieving the Library’s goals.

e. To establish a working relationship with fellow employees that recognizes and respects the diversity of opinion and achieves the best possible outcomes for the community.

f. To respect and use information obtained in the course of their duties in a careful and prudent manner.

These standards include but are not limited to the following:

1. Adhere to all applicable municipal, provincial and federal laws and regulations.
2. Adhere to Library policies and procedures.
3. Adhere to job requirements in a professional and competent manner.
4. Provide courteous and competent service to Library patrons.
5. Avoid real or apparent conflict of interest between responsibilities as an employee and any outside interests.
6. Adhere to confidentiality of Library patron and employee records and all organizational information.

In addition, the following civil conduct and violence prevention standards apply:

1. Employees will respect the rights, dignity and feelings of others.
2. All actions and speech (including written or electronic communication) in the workplace and at any Library branch will be civil and respectful.
3. Each employee’s role, job responsibilities and opinion will be respected.
4. The evaluation of employees’ performances will be conducted by their supervisor through the progress report & performance assessment process.
5. Employees are not permitted to commit any violent act or threatening gesture or speech against another employee or any person.
6. Employees are not permitted to harass or threaten an employee or any person from the public.
7. Employees are not permitted to intentionally or maliciously damage or destroy the property of another person or employee.
8. Each employee will display courteous and sensitive behaviour that does not discriminate against anyone.
9. Employees are not permitted to bring weapons of any kind into any of the Library branches.

Note: The definition of a weapon includes fireworks, explosives, dangerous chemicals, firearms, knives, or any other arms classified as a weapon. An instrument designed to look like a weapon, which is used to cause reasonable apprehension of harm, is expressly included within the definition of a weapon.

An investigation will be done into any allegations of a breach of this code of conduct. Contravention of the Employee Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.