200.19 guidelines for professional conduct

1. Number: 200.19
SUBJECT: GUIDELINES FOR PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT Page: 1
Date: 1/20/01
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised: 11/26/12
I. PURPOSE
To establish guidelines for conduct in the workplace for OC Animal Care staff.
II. POLICY
O.C. Animal Care has high expectations of ethical behavior and is committed to
providing high quality care and reliable services to the citizens we serve. As employees
of a government agency, it is expected that, while on duty and/or in uniform, all
personnel will conduct themselves in a manner which will avoid bringing discredit upon
themselves and OC Animal Care. Written guidelines that are explicit in covering all
phases of an employee's conduct are not possible. This policy provides general guidance
and some specific examples that establish a framework of principles to assist employees
in performing their job in a professional manner.
Employees are expected to establish and maintain a high spirit of cooperation within the
department and with other governmental agencies. Cooperation between the ranks and
sections of OC Animal Care and between OC Animal Care and other governmental
agencies is essential to effective animal control and sheltering.
Insubordination of employees will not be tolerated. The intentional failure or refusal by
an employee to obey a lawful order given by a superior or supervisor shall be deemed as
insubordination. Employees are to treat superior officers, supervisors, subordinates and
fellow employees with respect and are to be courteous and civil at all times in their
relationships with one another.
Instruction given by a superior officer or supervisor shall not be criticized in the presence
of other staff or members or the public.
Employees are to perform their duties as required or directed by law, department rules
and regulations, department policies and procedures or by order of a superior. All lawful
duties required by competent authority shall be performed as directed. Employees shall
observe and obey all laws and ordinances, all rules/regulations, policies and procedures
of the department and all orders of the department.
Employees are to refrain from discussing sensitive or confidential information in any
public area, including hallways, restrooms or break rooms.
III. SCOPE

2. Number: 200.19
SUBJECT: GUIDELINES FOR PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT Page: 2
Date: 1/20/01
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised: 11/26/12
Applicable to all OC Animal Care Staff.
IV. FORMS
Not Applicable.
V. REFERENCES
OC Animal Care Policy & Procedure 200.04 Uniformed Personnel
OC Community Resources IT Usage Policy
OC Community Resources Use of Intoxicants and Illegal Drugs Policy
County of Orange Employee Code of Conduct
VI. DEFINITIONS
Not Applicable.
VII. PROCEDURE
A. Change of Address and Phone Numbers:
Report within 24 hours any change of address and/or telephone number to your
supervisor.
B. Appearance – Work Area:
1. Maintain individual desks, work areas, vehicles, etc., in a neat and orderly
condition at all times.
2. Store work materials from desks and clear/store all equipment from
vehicles at the conclusion of a shift.
3. Clear trash from desks and vehicles and place in available trash
receptacles.
C. Appearance – Personal (Uniformed personnel see OC Animal Care P&P 200.04):
1. Maintain personal attire/uniform in a neat and clean manner.
2. Maintain good personal hygiene and keep hair and fingernails in a manner
that does not pose a safety hazard.

3. Number: 200.19
SUBJECT: GUIDELINES FOR PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT Page: 3
Date: 1/20/01
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised: 11/26/12
3. Employees wearing civilian clothes shall adopt attire appropriate to a neat,
conservative, and businesslike appearance.
D. Care of Property and Equipment:
1. Properly treat all County issued property and equipment assigned for use
in the performance of duties.
2. Report all damage of equipment and property to a supervisor immediately.
3. Submit a claim for damages to personal property damaged during the
course of duties to a supervisor.
4. Employees are responsible and accountable for the proper use of County
assets and property, which include time, material, supplies and
information. County assets and property are to be utilized for business
related purposes only.
E. Conduct While On Duty:
1. Maintain a courteous, professional demeanor in the presence of other
employees, the public, and volunteers and vendors. Give clear and
accurate information in a professional manner and use appropriate
telephone etiquette.
2. The public cannot be expected to know when a uniformed employee is on
a rest period or lunch break. Therefore, uniformed employees are to
conduct themselves in a professional and courteous manner during the
entire work shift and not engage in inappropriate personal activities, i.e.,
jogging, house painting, lawn trimming, etc.
3. Employees will not use threatening, abusive, or profane language or
written material. Unprofessional behavior such as sexual-related
conversations, inappropriate physical contact with another employee,
argumentative behavior, fighting, racial or ethnic jokes and slurs, and
other verbal or physical conduct of an offensive nature will not be
tolerated.
4. Conform to the codes of ethics and standards of our respective professions
and exercise sound judgment in the performance of duties.
5. Comply with work and safety policies in accordance with the County
policies and procedures, including, but not limited to, the County of
Orange Employee Code of Conduct and OC Community Resources’ Use
of Intoxicants and Illegal Drugs Policy prohibiting the use and possession
of alcohol or drugs in the workplace.

4. Number: 200.19
SUBJECT: GUIDELINES FOR PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT Page: 4
Date: 1/20/01
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised: 11/26/12
6. Use work hours to perform County duties and assignments in a productive
and professional manner.
7. Practice integrity in our dealings with customers, vendors, other
employees or agents and the community.
8. Perform duties in a way that promotes public trust and encourages
participation and access to County programs and resources.
F. Authorized Telephone Usage:
1. The use of County telephones by employees, on or off duty, is restricted to
official County business or family emergencies.
2. The use of personal communication devices (cell phones, pagers, tablets,
etc.) are restricted to assigned break and lunch periods unless otherwise
authorized by a supervisor.
G. Authorized Internet Usage:
The use of County equipment to access the internet by employees on or off duty is
restricted to official County business only. Please see OC Community Resources
IT Usage Policy.
H. Authorized E-Mail Usage:
1. The use of the County’s e-mail system by employees, on or off duty, is
restricted to official County business only.
2. Employees are expected to use language appropriate and consistent with a
conservative business like atmosphere. The use of inappropriate words,
comments and/or phrases is unacceptable.
I. Authorized Facsimile (FAX) Usage:
The use of the County’s FAX machine by employees, on or off duty, is restricted
to official County business only.
J. Records Maintenance:
1. Maintain complete, accurate records and prepare them in a timely manner.
2. Maintain integrity of all records and ensure that records are not altered,
damaged, removed or destroyed prior to the specified destruction date.