VCOM Administrative and Classified Staff Handbook

Employee Obligations for the Highest Standards of Conduct As an integral member of VCOM, employees are expected to accept certain responsibilities, adhere to acceptable business and medical principles in matters of personal conduct, and always exhibit a high degree of personal integrity. This not only involves sincere respect for the rights and feelings of others but also demands that employees refrain from any behavior that might be harmful to the employee, coworkers, VCOM, or that might be viewed unfavorable by current or potential students, others in the medical school community or by the public at large. Whether the employee is at work or not, their conduct reflects on VCOM. Employees are, consequently, encouraged to always observe the highest standards of professionalism. The following are some (but not all) examples of inappropriate conduct: 1. Falsifying employment or other VCOM records. 2. Violating VCOM’s Equal Employment Opportunity and Harassment Policies. 3. Soliciting or accepting gratuities from students or vendors. 4. Excessive absenteeism or tardiness. 5. Engaging in excessive, unnecessary, or unauthorized use of VCOM’s supplies and equipment, particularly for personal purposes. 6. Violating VCOM’s Substance Abuse Policy. 7. Conviction for unlawful use of a substance or an illegal drug. 8. Fighting or any type of physical threatening of another employee, student, or visitor. 9. Using obscene (cursing), abusive, or threatening language or gestures. 10. Stealing property from coworkers, faculty, students, vendors, or other persons. 11. Having firearms and other weapons on VCOM’s premises or while on VCOM business without prior authorization from VCOM administration. 12. Disregarding safety or security regulations. 13. Engaging in insubordination. 14. Failing to maintain the confidentiality of student and business information. 15. Treating coworkers, faculty, students, vendors, or other persons in a disrespectful and discourteous manner or subjecting them to public ridicule. 16. Sharing confidential student or other VCOM information with outsiders. 17. Failure to cooperate in an investigation related to VCOM. 18. Any act that brings discredit to the Institution, such as illegal, immoral, or public unprofessional behaviors. Employment of Relatives Direct supervision of an employee by a direct relative(s) is generally not allowed. If two employees in the same department are family members or marry, and one is placed in the position of evaluating, rewarding, or disciplining the other, one of them must either transfer to a vacancy within three months, or must provide an alternate appropriate supervising VCOM officer with an acceptable written plan for supervision. In the alternative that a plan for supervision is not provided, the employee with the least seniority must resign or be terminated. Gifts, Gratuities or Rewards VCOM employees are in a position of trust, and therefore, cannot accept gifts, gratuities, favors, any form of payment, or rewards for any services performed in connection with their employment. If employees violate this policy, they may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. Internet Usage Employees may be issued computers with access to the Internet. Employee Internet usage requires good judgment, common sense, and careful discretion. Use of the VCOM computer system to gain access to remote systems or

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