Topic 4.6: Resources and reflections from the APSC
The APS Values includes “Ethical”: “The APS demonstrates leadership, is trustworthy, and acts with integrity, in all that it does” and the APSC also offers an Ethics Advisory Service.
Ethics Advisory Service
The Ethics Advisory Service is available to all Australian Public Service (APS) employees, including agency heads and SES staff, who wish to discuss and seek advice on ethical issues that occur in the workplace and make sound decisions around these issues.
View the Ethics Advisory Service: Client Service Charter – https://apsc2.govcms.gov.au/working-aps/integrity/ethics-advisory-service-client-service-charter
Contacting the Ethics Advisory Service
Enquiries: Monday-Friday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm AEST
Phone: 02 6202 3737
Email: ethics@apsc.gov.au .
The APSC has developed a decision making model to support people in making challenging decisions. It is in the form of an easy to remember acronym REFLECT. An overview is available below and at the DFAT website.
- REcognise a potential issue or problem
- Find relevant information
- Linger at the ‘fork in the road’
- Evaluate the options
- Come to a decision
- Take time to reflect
What this tool is really encouraging managers and leaders to do is:
| Ask yourself | Do I have a gut feeling that something is not right or that this is a risky situation?
Is this a right vs right or a right vs wrong issue? Recognise the situation as one that involves tensions between APS Values or the APS and your personal values. |
| Find relevant information | What was the trigger and circumstances?
Identify the relevant legislation, guidance, policies (APS-wide and agency-specific). Identify the rights and responsibilities of relevant stakeholders. Identify any precedent decisions. |
| Linger or pause to consult supervisors, managers, respected colleagues, peers or support services (retain privacy) | Talk it through, use intuition (emotional intelligence and rational processes), analysis, listen and reflect. |
| Evaluate the options, identify consequences, look at processes to identify risks | Discard unrealistic options.
Apply the accountability test—public scrutiny, independent review. Be able to explain your reasons/decision. |
| Come to a decision, act on it and make a record if necessary | |
| Take time to reflect and review | How did it turn out for all concerned?
Learn from your decision. If you had to do it all over again, would you do it differently? |
Required Reflection
15 min
Considering a ‘real’ ethical dilemma you have had to navigate in your work life, how might the REFLECT model of thinking help?
If you can’t think of an actual situation, can you think of a potential scenario where you would need to apply the above processes?
We will discuss ethical approaches more in the workshop sessions, but for now we hope this material has sharpened your interest and thinking around this important topic. As Dan Horowitz noted, it is difficult work and it is about our ability to think consciously and well about issues. There are often no hard and fast rules for what the right course of action is. Our values and principles need to guide our thinking as individuals and teams.
A final point to note on this subject is that it is inherent in the material presented in the earlier modules: part of understanding ourselves and others is understanding the moral and ethical frameworks that guide our decision making.
Deeper Learning Reflection
60 min
As you read the Zang et al article, think about and make note of situations where you see either or both of the suggested strategies being used in your workplace.
Bring your notes and observations with you for the workshop discussions of this topic.