Let's Go Camping at the COC!

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The County of San Diego Office of Ethics and Compliance (OEC) is holding a series of activities highlighting ethics and compliance activities throughout March in honor of Ethics Awareness Month.

This week, an Ethics Fair will be held at the County Operations Center Plaza from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 16. The theme this year is “Camp Ethics.” There will activities, giveaways, information about County departments and other resources. Participating departments include General Services, HHSA Compliance Office, Probation, SDCERA and Sheriff.

Do you like games? The OEC Team has a few fun ways for employees to learn the Code of Ethics:

You can submit the completed Scavenger Hunt to OEC by email or drop off at the Ethics Fair to be entered in an opportunity drawing. Online participants are automatically entered.

Interested in ways to champion ethics in the workplace? Consider the below:

  • Recommitting to the Code of Ethics. Our code of ethics is the foundation of our County culture.

  • Sharing your favorite Know the Code micro-learning (posted on InSite and LMS).

  • Requesting that OEC conduct an on-site ethics training or speak at an upcoming department meeting.

  • Checking out the "Ethics In-a-Box” training resources for managers/supervisors.

If you ever have a question about what is ethical, don’t wait to get answers. Employees can always turn to their supervisor or manager first if they have a concern. Check out the OEC webpage on InSite for information about Ethics Awareness Month, as well as, upcoming Ethics & Compliance training, resources including monthly “Know the Code” articles and micro-training videos.

Know the Code: Fraud, Waste and Abuse

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By the Office of Ethics and Compliance 

This month, in recognition of International Fraud Awareness Week (Nov. 14-20), we are highlighting the Code of Ethics requirements regarding fraud, waste and abuse, and how to prevent and report fraudulent activity.  

Organizations worldwide lose an estimated 5% of their annual revenues to fraud, according to the 2020 ACFE Report to the Nations on Occupational Fraud and Abuse. Fraud takes many shapes and forms, among them corporate fraud, consumer fraud, tax fraud, identity theft and many others. 

What is fraud? 

In the broadest sense, the term fraud encompasses actions that are meant to deceive for financial or personal gain. It’s any intentional or deliberate act to deprive another of property or money by guile, deception, or other unfair means. Fraud, such as improper cost reports, double or phantom billing, committed by employees or vendors represents a real risk to the County. 

Why should we care about fraud? 

Fraud costs billions of dollars in damage to companies, governments and individuals each year. Additionally, fraud can dramatically affect the quality of life of its victims—and the employees of its victims—resulting in job losses, the loss of savings and investments, weakened trust in public institutions and a significant strain on resources. 

Would you trust a bank with a reputation of defrauding its account holders? Do you think customers, clients or the public will trust an organization that cannot properly protect their assets? As a County, we have “zero tolerance” for fraud, we investigate all fraud complaints and we train to raise awareness of potential fraud. 

What can be done to prevent fraud? 

Every employee, regardless of position, can help prevent and detect fraud. Trust your instincts–if you observe something that does not seem right, you should evaluate the situation. Then, if you still have doubts or suspicions, speak up, report irregularities to managers, OEC or the Ethics Hotline at 866-549-0004. 

Preventing fraud is not just the responsibility of management, supervisors or the audit team. Everyone has a role to play in the prevention of fraud. Help the County protect its finances—and the public—from harm. 

Check out the OEC webpage on InSite for information about upcoming Ethics & Compliance Program events, training, and resources including monthly “Know the Code” articles and micro-training videos. 

If you have questions about ethics and compliance training or how to access the training and other ethics and compliance resources, please contact the OEC team at oec@sdcounty.ca.gov or (619) 531-5174. HHSA staff may also contact the dedicated HHSA Compliance and Privacy team at compliance.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov or (619) 338-2807. 

Know the Code is a monthly series highlighting different sections of the County of San Diego Code of Ethics. The mission of the Office of Ethics and Compliance (OEC) is to assist in fulfilling the County’s commitment to the highest standards of ethics and compliance.