Human Resource Services announces
mandatory training in ethics

The State Officials and Employees Ethics Act (PA 93-0617) requires that all state employees participate in annual ethics training. A summary of the act is posted on the HRS Web site. This year’s training will take place between Oct. 18 and Nov. 17.

Who must participate?

All state employees. At NIU, this includes faculty, Supportive Professional Staff, Operating Staff, graduate assistants, student workers and extra help. Arrangements are being made a paper-based alternative for short-term temporary and seasonal workers.

When will training occur?

Training begins Oct. 18 and must be completed on Nov. 17.

Training format

The training will be delivered to all NIU employees by “a self-administered, interactive, one-hour program that is accessed through a computer connected to the Internet.”

According to state requirements, every employee must read and review all course material and complete the training on an individual basis. A User ID will be assigned to every employee. Employees must complete the material, complete a brief quiz and will receive a certificate of completion. Employees are not allowed to discuss, copy or disclose questions or answers to anyone else, or to share user ID or passwords.

All employees will receive an official notification of the training, with information on how to access the Web site. The state has the names of all employees, and User IDs will be assigned prior to the start of training. User IDs are based on the employee’s name (as listed on the payroll statement), with birth date (month and day).

All faculty and staff who supervise other employees will assure that their employees take the time to complete the training. Upon completing the training, employees’ names will be entered in the compliance database and reported to NIU’s general counsel and the Office of Executive Inspector General.

Overview of Content

The policy, communicated to the campus in July, covers the following areas: acceptance of gifts, political/fundraising activities, bribery, official misconduct and conflicts of interest.

10-18-04