Value of Ethics Training

One of the keys to a successful ethics program is effective, regular communication and training, which is needed to clarify expectations and provide guidance. Effective training must go beyond simply repeating rules. Public managers must have a sense of the rules but also need a solid understanding of the principles underlying them. It is one thing to memorize the rule that one cannot accept a gift worth over $20, but it is quite another to understand the principle of not using public office for private gain.

How does one effectively train public administrators in ethical behavior? Because most government ethics programs have been created without input from the public administration community and ethicists and designed to meet the mandated mission, the programs typically emphasize compliance and “training to the rule.” By contrast, Leigh Grosenick argues for a values- or principle-based approach, with compliance-based elements tied to fundamental principles and, therefore, more likely to be remembered in an actual ethical crisis. Others may argue for some com- bination

Ethics training is not a once-in-a-lifetime inoculation. It is perishable. People forget, change jobs, get promoted, and face different ethics challenges. And regulations and laws change. For these reasons, regular ethics training is a key systemic component. In responding to this dynamic, many ethics programs have moved beyond the classroom or on-line training (for example, Maryland) to a variety of innovative approaches. Among these are plays or vignettes, with agency officials as the actors. Creative video games or simulations are also used in training, such as the U.S. Department of Justice’s Quandaries game.