Section 24.02. Declaration of policy.

 

(1)  The observance of high moral and ethical standards by its employees is essential to the conduct of free government. The employee holds his or her position as a public trust, and any effort to realize personal gain through official conduct is a violation of that trust.

(2)  It is the state's policy to recognize that:

(a) Employees have the same personal and economic interest in the decisions and policies of government as do other citizens.

(b) Employees retain their rights as citizens to interests of a personal or economic nature.

(c) Standards of ethical conduct for employees need to distinguish between those minor and inconsequential conflicts which are unavoidable in a free society, and those conflicts which are substantial and material.

(d) Employees may need to engage in employment, other than official duties, or may need to maintain investments, but no employee shall engage in any employment or maintain any investment if the employment or investment conflicts with the specific provisions of this chapter.

(3)  The ethical standards set forth in this chapter for employees in the performance of their official duties are intended to avoid conflicts of interest between their personal interests and their public responsibilities, improve standards of public service, and promote and strengthen the faith and confidence of the people of this state in their state civil service.

(4)  In the enforcement of this chapter the director shall protect to the fullest extent possible the state's best interests and the rights of individuals affected.

(5)  Nothing in this chapter shall interfere with the general rulemaking powers of agencies with respect to the implementation of their programs and operations unless the interpretation of any agency rule is in contradiction of this chapter, and in that case this chapter shall control.

History: Cr. Register, March, 1974, No. 219 , eff. 7-1-74; (1) renum. from Pers 24.01 (1) (intro.) and am., (2) renum. from Pers 24.01 (2) and am., (3) renum. from Pers 24.01 (1) (a) and am., cr. (4), (5) renum. from Pers 24.01 (3) and am., r. (6), Register, February, 1981, No. 302 , eff. 3-1-81; correction in (4) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6. , Stats., Register September 2015 No. 717 .