State Employee Responsibilities

• Code of Conduct

  As public servants, we strive to serve the public with respect, concern and responsiveness, and we should demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity and honesty in all public activities. It is especially important for us to conduct ourselves in a manner that assures and promotes the public’s trust in Kansas State Government. It is in this spirit that the Kansas Commission on Governmental Standards and Conduct was established and the code of conduct for Kansas government employees was written. This code prohibits certain actions by state employees. “State employee” is a broad term that includes elected or appointed state officers, classified and unclassified civil servants, all employees of the Legislative Branch and the Governor’s office. Following is a list of general rules. They are not intended to be a full statement of the laws, regulations or policies. Questions should be directed to your supervisor, the KDA Human Resources team (785-564-6712) or the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission (785-296-4219).

• Confidential Information

  State employees shall not use confidential information acquired in the course of employment to further their own or others’ economic interests. Further, KDA employees shall treat information about customers and personnel matters as confidential and have the responsibility of safeguarding that information, sharing it on a need-to-know basis only. Wrongful disclosure or release of confidential information violates agency policy and/or state and federal laws and such disclosure will subject an employee to criminal action as well as disciplinary action.

• Nepotism

  In accordance with K.A.R. 1-9-21, no state employee shall advocate, participate in or cause the appointment, promotion, transfer, demotion, or discipline of a member of the employee’ household or a family member. Additionally, a State employee may not supervise a member of his or her household or family.

• Political Activities

  Memo regarding Political Activity 7-12-18
  State employees may be a member of the political party of their choice, and may actively engage in campaigning for or contributing to the party and candidates of their choice. However, there are certain limited restrictions on state employees’ political activities. These restrictions are designed to protect state employees from political influence and to allow employees to perform their work without regard to partisan politics.

  1.    State employees shall not use their authority or official influence to force other employees to take part in any political activity, apply for membership in or become a member of any organization, or pay or promise to pay any assessment, subscription or contribution.

  2.    Solicitation for political contributions or political activities should not occur on state property or during regular hours of employment.

  3.    Campaign literature or other paraphernalia should not be brought onto state property or transported in or displayed on state vehicles.

• State Property

  State employees shall not use or allow the use of state time, supplies, state owned or leased property and equipment for private interest or any other use not in the conduct of official state business.

• Conflicts of Interest and Substantial Interest Form Filing

  State employees shall not:

  1.              Lobby (attempt to influence) their own state agency on behalf of other organizations for pay.

  2.               Participate, with certain exceptions, in making a contact with anyone who has employed him or her in whose business they have a substantial interest.

  3.               Accept compensation or performance of official state duties, other than what they are entitled to from the state.

  4.               Solicit anything of value from any person known to have a special interest.

  5.              Accept most gifts or hospitality during the performance of public service if they are classified employees.

  State employees responsible for making policy, contracting, purchasing or procurement decisions; awarding grants; or inspecting, licensing or regulating any person or entity are required by law to complete and file with the Secretary of State’s office each year a “Substantial Interest” form. These forms are generally distributed in March of each year to a majority of the Department’s employees due to the nature of their responsibilities. 
  
  An employee may file a Statement of Substantial Interests form electronically. To  file electronically, go the Secretary of State's website http://www.sos.ks.gov/elections/ssi_online.aspx.  Click on "File a Statement of Substantial Interests Form" and follow the prompts. One advantage of filing electronically is that all of the information you enter will be saved for future filings, allowing you to simply update your information and submit it with a current date.

• Staff Relations

  Equal Treatment: As coworkers, we are to treat each other equally, regardless of sex, age, race, ethnic background, political beliefs, religious affiliation, disability, or employment status. We should avoid an activity of language that could be construed as discriminatory based on any of the above factors. Language, jokes, written communication, gestures, or other means that slander or cause discomfort to a coworker is unacceptable. This includes, but is not limited to, racial or ethnic slurs, sexual harassment, jokes or slurs based on a person’s religious affiliation or other language or communication which coworkers may find offensive. Please reference the Personal Conduct Policy in the policy section of this handbook.

  Personal Consideration: Each of us has the right to expect the protection of our personal privacy and the confidentiality of our work projects. We should guard against accidental disclosure of information that could personally affect another employee, or which another employee would rather keep confidential. Gossip, careless handling of written information, or other inconsiderate disclosure of information about a coworker is not acceptable. No employee should attempt to use to personal advantage any confidential or sensitive information concerning a coworker. No employee should disclose, or allow to be disclosed by action or inaction, confidential or sensitive information which could harm a coworker if made public or which the coworker would rather keep private.

• Guidelines for State Employees Concerning Meals, Gifts, Entertainment & Travel

  As a general rule, Kansas Law prohibits or limits any state employees of the executive branch and members of boards, commissions, or authorities of the executive branch from accepting or requesting meals, gifts, entertainment and travel. Please reference the ethics commission’s guidelines for limitations and exceptions for clarification. State Ethics Commission Guidelines