Human Resources

Sub-topic

Code of Conduct

Media

What if my home institute wants to issue a press release concerning work at CERN?

Please coordinate with the Press Office on all press releases concerning CERN topics.

Meetings

Documents to be read and commented on at our weekly team meeting are frequently distributed the evening before the meeting. As a consequence, only those who are constantly on-line see them and are fully prepared for the meeting. This is happening more..

Q: Documents to be read and commented on at our weekly team meeting are frequently distributed the evening before the meeting. As a consequence, only those who are constantly on-line see them and are fully prepared for the meeting. This is happening more and more often and not only for this meeting. I’m concerned that we are now judged on after-hours availability rather than technical merit. How can this be addressed?

A: You should discuss your concerns with the person organizing the team meeting and/or the other contributors. The more general trend you mention needs to be treated at a higher level by reminding your hierarchy about acceptable and recommended working habits.

I hold a team meeting each Wednesday afternoon as a mid-week checkpoint. It allows the team to discuss any issues that have come up, in time to conclude them before the week-end. For personal reasons, two members of my team take Wednesday afternoons...

Q: I hold a team meeting each Wednesday afternoon as a mid-week checkpoint. It allows the team to discuss any issues that have come up, in time to conclude them before the week-end. For personal reasons, two members of my team take Wednesday afternoons off. Is this indirect discrimination?

A: It could be indirect discrimination if you do not have a legitimate need to hold the meeting on Wednesday afternoons, or if there are other appropriate ways to meet your needs. You appear to have a legitimate need for the meeting (monitoring your team’s progress and being available for their questions) but do you really have to hold it on a Wednesday afternoon? Could you obtain the same result by holding the meeting earlier in the day or first thing on Thursday morning?

Non-CERN related activity on-site

I offered for my jazz band to perform at my Department’s end of year party. We are usually paid for our performances. Is it appropriate for us to request our usual fee?

No, being paid for your performance would lead to a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest and should therefore be avoided.

Political activity/opinions

I regularly find myself in political arguments with a colleague, who expresses extreme views. I noticed that political – or other – opinions are not mentioned in the Code of Conduct. Does that mean they are open to criticism?

You are entitled to debate political, scientific or other opinions with colleagues, but you should remember the need for tact, respect and constructive dialogue.

I was approached by a political party to be a candidate for an election. May I accept the offer?

As a matter of principle, members of personnel should refrain from seeking or holding public office. The Director-General may authorize members of personnel to stand for election at the local level. You should address a written request to the Director-General who will inform you if you may accept the offer and, if so, under what conditions.

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