|
Ethics Program
JEA will conduct its business fairly, impartially, in an ethical and proper manner, and in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The JEA Ethics Program applies to all employees of JEA. Integrity must underlie all company relationships, including those with customers, suppliers, communities, and other employees. The highest standards of ethical business conduct are required of all those who work at JEA.
Business Courtesies
A business courtesy is a present, gift, hospitality, or favor for which fair market value is not paid by the recipient. A business courtesy may be a tangible or intangible benefit such as: meals, drinks, entertainment, door prizes, honoraria, transportation, discounts, promotional items, or use of a donor’s time, materials, facilities, or equipment.
All business courtesies offered to and accepted by JEA employees are gifts belonging to JEA. Employees should not assume that they may keep a business gift for personal use. Generally, an employee may keep a business courtesy only when acceptance of the courtesy promotes successful working relationships and goodwill for JEA interests, conforms to the reasonable and ethical practices of the marketplace, does not create actual conflict of interest or divided loyalty, does not create the appearance of an improper attempt to influence business decisions and is valued at not more than $100. In addition, JEA employees may not accept business courtesies totaling more than$250 from the same party, company, or individual in a calendar year. Courtesies under $25 in value are excluded from the $250 annual aggregate amount.
JEA employees may not accept business courtesies of any amount when there is an actual or perceived expectation that the donor may want something in return, may be attempting to gain an unfair advantage, or may be trying to influence an employee to do things that might violate laws.
All business courtesies over $25 in value are to be reported. Also, in January, 2009, the City Council approved changes to the City of Jacksonville Ethics Code (Ordinance 602) to include all the independent agencies. Therefore, all JEA employees are now required to adhere to City Ordinance 602 as well as the JEA Ethics Guidelines. For more information, please click here to visit the City’s website.
|
