Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct (Code) has been formulated to provide a clear statement of expectations that Health Education Australia Limited’s (herein to be known as HEAL) has of its staff and participants (Stakeholders) in respect of their professional and personal conduct. All teaching and learning and associated activities conducted by HEAL (and any division of HEAL including, but not limited to, the Australasian Institute of Clinical Governance (AICG)) are governed by this Code.

Purpose

The objective of this Code is to provide guidance on staff and course participant behaviour, rights and responsibilities in educational activities conducted by HEAL for all Stakeholders.

Scope

This Code and its policies apply to all Stakeholders in learning activities, and the associated administration, conducted by HEAL. HEAL regards the responsibilities of all Stakeholders as set out below, to be reciprocal. The responsibilities of one group of Stakeholders imply the rights of the other.

Responsibilities of HEAL Staff

All HEAL staff (including administration and teaching staff) have an equal obligation to uphold the system of government, observe all relevant State and Commonwealth laws and to comply with HEAL’s policies and procedures. In addition, they have an obligation when travelling overseas to respect and abide by the customs and laws of the host country. HEAL staff also have the following responsibilities.

Have respect for persons:

• promote a high standard of respect for all Stakeholders and the general community;
• treat Stakeholders with courtesy, sensitivity, impartiality and fairness;
• be responsive and prompt in dealing with other Stakeholders and the general community;
• when supervising staff, create a fair and just working environment;
• observe procedural fairness when engaged in decision making;
• not engage in any discriminatory conduct including on grounds such as gender, sexual orientation, race, disability, cultural background, religion, pregnancy and breast feeding, marital status, age or political conviction;
• not engage in behaviour which may be reasonably perceived as workplace bullying, harassment, and/or intimidation;
• have respect for cultural differences; and
• respect the privacy of others in the collection, use and access of personal information whilst performing duties or activities.

Integrity and impartiality when carrying out duties:

• provide clear, accurate and useful information to course participants in relation to enrolment and course content;
• provide clear instructions of acceptable behaviour for participants undertaking HEAL courses;
• encourage course participants to be involved in the structuring of their own learning experiences;
• encourage course participants to take joint responsibility for their own learning;
• take into account the prior knowledge, abilities and backgrounds of course participants in planning course content;
• encourage and enable participants to objectively and fairly evaluate their own and each other's work critically;
• be available (within reasonable hours) to assist course participants;
• seek feedback from participants about the effectiveness and appropriateness of course content;
• use their best endeavours to ensure that all course participants, regardless of their background, have an equal opportunity to learn and to demonstrate that learning;
• respect participants’ right to express views and opinions;
• demonstrate concern for the welfare and progress of individual participants;
• maintain confidentiality of participants’ personal information;
• be aware of the policies and practices contained in the Staff portal.

Responsibilities of Course Participants

At HEAL we aim to provide an environment for participants where:

• intellectual enquiry is protected and encouraged;
• freedom of expression is protected and encouraged;
• academic integrity is promoted; and
• the rights and responsibilities of participants, and staff are respected.

Participants are obliged to read and comply with this Code and to conduct themselves accordingly. This Code operates in conjunction with applicable common and statute laws and does not exclude or replace the rights and obligations of any individual under such laws.

The following responsibilities describe behaviours expected from participants to assist HEAL in providing the appropriate environment under this code.

Have respect for persons:

• promote a high standard of respect for all other Stakeholders and the general community;
• treat other Stakeholders with courtesy and fairness;
• be responsive and prompt in dealing with other Stakeholders and the general community;
• not engage in any discriminatory conduct including on grounds such as gender, sexual orientation, race, disability, cultural background, religion, pregnancy and breast feeding, marital status, age or political conviction;
• not engage in behaviour which may be reasonably perceived as bullying, harassment, and/or intimidation;
• have respect for cultural differences

Participants undertaking educational activities at HEAL have the following responsibilities, to:

• at all times, show respect for all other Stakeholders; their manners, customs and religious convictions and practices and to resolve any conflicts as they arise through open and honest communication;
• accept responsibility for their own learning;
• be aware of the rules and regulations concerning the use of external facilities in the delivery of HEAL courses; at hospitals and other healthcare organisations, hired conference, tutorial or meeting rooms;
• respect the working environment of other Stakeholders in all areas of HEAL and external course venues;
• respect the authority of HEAL staff and Hospital Supervisors in the administration of hospital activities;
• respect the right of staff to express views, opinions and feedback regarding progress and performance during a course;
• contribute to the development of HEAL programs and policies by participating in consultative and deliberative processes of evaluation in a responsible, reasonable and ethical manner;
• provide constructive feedback to HEAL to enable it to continually improve the quality of its services and safeguard its high standards;
• be aware of the policies and practices contained on HEALs Learning Management Systems;
• be aware of HEAL’s commitment to equal opportunity and to demonstrate tolerance and respect for all Stakeholders of HEAL.

HEAL Code of Conduct – Last updated 9 November 2018