Code of Conduct
This Code of Conduct applies to all personnel of L.A. Orbeli Institute of Physiology, as well as to any individuals utilizing the Institute’s resources or facilities, volunteers, and other representatives acting or speaking on behalf of the Institute.
Guiding principles
Values
In the pursuit of the Institute’s research or teaching objectives, personnel are dedicated to upholding the Institute’s core values, which include:
- Excellence and innovation
- Discovery and the pursuit of truth
- Diversity of ideas
- Integrity
- Freedom of research
- Accountability for resources and relationships
- Sharing knowledge and maintaining conducive learning environment
Commitment to Ethical Conduct
Personnel must uphold high ethical standards and integrity in all endeavors. This commitment is supported by the standards outlined in this Code, alongside relevant policies, procedures, and workplace rules, which provide guidance for decision-making to ensure responsible behavior in line with the Institute’s values.
Standards of Conduct
The L.A. Orbeli Institute of Physiology adheres to the following standards of conduct:
Act Ethically and with Integrity
Institute personnel are expected to:
- Adhere to high ethical and professional standards
- Take personal accountability for their actions
- Fulfill obligations owed to colleagues
- Meet the Institute’s responsibilities
- Communicate ethical standards through guidance and examples
Be Fair and Respectful to Others
The Institute is committed to tolerance, diversity, and respect. Personnel should:
- Interact with others respectfully and fairly
- Communicate frankly and truthfully
- Refrain from all forms of harassment, illegal discrimination, threats, or violence;
- Ensure equal access to programs, facilities, and employment
- Encourage conflict resolution
Manage Responsibly
Managers, supervisors and instructors are expected to:
- Provide proper training and guidance on relevant workplace and educational rules, policies, and procedures, including this Code
- Ensure compliance with applicable regulations, policies, and workplace rules
- Review performance carefully and impartially
- Foster intellectual growth and professional development
- Cultivate a healthy, innovative, and productive atmosphere conducive to dialogue and responsive to concerns
Protect and Preserve Resources
Personnel should:
- Use the Institute’s resources solely for legitimate purposes
- Prevent waste and abuse
- Promote efficient operations and sound financial practices
- Engage in appropriate accounting and monitoring to protect assets and ensure responsible management
Promote a Culture of Compliance
The Institute is committed to meeting legal requirements and fostering an ethical and compliant culture. Personnel are expected to:
- Learn and adhere the regulations, policies and procedures relevant to Institute activities
- Proactively prevent and detect compliance violations
- Report suspected violations to supervisors or other Institute officials
- Ensure proper resolution of reported violations within their area of responsibility
- Refrain from retaliating against staff members who report suspected compliance violation.
Preserve Freedom of Research and Meet Research Responsibilities
Personnel should:
- Promote freedom of research, allowing the discussion of all relevant matters and exploration of various research avenues
- Fulfill research responsibilities by seeking and stating the truth, fostering intellectual honesty and freedom of inquiry, respecting diverse perspectives, submitting work for peer review, educating young researches and students; and clearly distinguishing personal views from institutional positions
Ethically Conduct Research and Teaching
Personnel are expected to:
- Conduct research with integrity and honesty
- Ensure protection of people and humane treatment of animals involved in research or teaching
- Comply with requirements from funders, regulatory bodies, and other applicable entities
- Faithfully report research findings
- Protect individual and Institute intellectual property rights
- Ensure originality of work, give credit to others, and maintain accuracy and fairness in published information
- Fairly assign authorship credit based on significant intellectual contributions
Avoid Conflicts of Interest and Commitment
Personnel should:
- Avoid individual or institutional conflicts of interest
- Disclose potential conflicts and adhere to management plans to resolve conflicts
- Ensure personal relationships do not compromise objective judgment in Institute-related decisions
Carefully Manage Public, Private, and Confidential Information
Personnel are expected to:
- Learn and comply with legislation, Institute policies and agreements regarding access, use, protection, disclosure, retention, and disposal of information
- Follow document preservation and retention guidelines
- Maintain data security through electronic and physical safeguards
Promote Health and Safety in the Workplace
Personnel should:
- Follow safe workplace practices, including participating in applicable education and training sessions, and using appropriate personal safety equipment
- Report accidents, injuries, and unsafe situations
- Maintain security of Institute assets and facilities
- Protect the environment by handling hazardous waste and harmful materials responsibly
The Director of the Institute shall ensure the maintenance of appropriate administrative policies to support this Code. Management of the Institute is also responsible for effectively disseminating this Code along with any related administrative policies or procedures, through suitable and periodic explanations.