1. WORDS THAT WORK Association of Business Managers in Victorian State Schools 19 March 2018

2. Business Managers & the integrity agenda
Operation Ord & Dunham hearings
Integrity Reform Program
100+ public commitments
37 projects
External reporting & scrutiny
Integrity Strategy
Business managers contribute to strengthening three lines of defence against integrity risk
Version: September 2016

3. Role of the Integrity Liaison Officer (ILO)
Support you, your principals and staff to manage ethical issues, and make good decisions
Do the leg work for you to apply DET policy to school-based situations, particularly Conflicts of Interest, other employment, sponsorship, gifts, benefits and hospitality
Support referrals and help you find out where to go
Drive a culture of integrity and respect through education and awareness activities with teams and networks
Provide your feedback to the Region and Centre to contribute to reform
Manage the Region’s Integrity Leadership Group
Version: September 2016

4. Business Managers in Integrity Leadership Groups
Fiona Rankin
Nancy Sandilands
Karen Baker
Angela Campbell
Gina Hasapis
Vicki Ramsdale
Robyn Jackson
Yvonne Edwards
Deanna Edwards
Finoula Murray
Kristina Elvey
Jan Prior
Joy Geoghegan
Sandra Monaghan
Judy Webb
Jennifer Hunter
Abby Makin
Andrew Bennett
Version: September 2016

5. What is ‘Words that Work’?
A targeted resource to support Business Managers
Based on sound research - ‘Giving Voice to Values’
Helps Business Managers to ‘Act’ upon their values and voice ethical concerns
Acknowledges potential ethical concerns faced by Business Managers, and the reasons why some may have difficulty in raising them
Provides guidance in reframing thinking to make raising concerns easier

6. Why was ‘Words that Work’ developed?
Business Managers have a critical role in leading an ethical culture in schools
Specific challenges faced by Business Managers were raised in an Integrity Leadership Group meeting in February 2017
New Business Managers, or Business Managers new to a school
Newly appointed Principals
Business Managers have a unique role in the school, and require targeted support
The DET model for raising concerns encourages local resolution where appropriate

7. What impacts Business Manager confidence in raising concerns?
The experience of the BM, and how new they are to schools
The location and size of the school
The leadership style of the Principal and other school staff
The maturity of systems and processes at the school
The relationship of the Leadership team with the BM – ie is the BM part of the school leadership team.
Other cultural and environmental factors.

8. ‘Words that Work’ resource is not
an exhaustive list
prescriptive
‘the only solution’
a ‘static’ document

9. How was ‘Words that Work’ developed and by who?
Project launched through ABMVSS and SWVR/SEVR Integrity Leadership Groups
Survey of BMs
Identify themes
Identify alternative ways of thinking and ‘Words that Work’
Stakeholder feedback
Develop a framework for developing ‘Words that Work’

10. Recruitment Finance/Resources Procurement Respect Information
Themes identified
Recruitment
Finance/Resources
Procurement
Respect
Information
Employment

11. Words that Work example
Ethical problem
Finding that a school staff member is related to, or has an association with a supplier
Reasons for not saying anything
We know firsthand the product or service we’re going to get They’re more likely to do a good job because of the relationship
This would not influence any decisions I make
Alternative ways of thinking
Even though it may not influence decisions, there may be a perception of bias and favouritism towards the supplier, as well as an expectation of future work
Words that Work
“We have to make sure that other suppliers feel that our procurement decisions are fair and unbiased and there is no perception of favouritism”

12. What’s in the ‘Words that Work’ resource?
Summary and Overview
Example of identified problems, common excuses for not reporting them, alternative ways of thinking and ‘Words that Work’
Create your own ‘Words that Work’
Sources of information and support
The Words that Work booklet has several components.
As you would expect, the first page is an overview of the tool – what it is, and how it might be used.
The body of the resource is a table, organised in line with the identified themes, which gives examples of typical problems, common excuses for not reporting them, alternative ways of thinking and suggested ‘”Words that Work”.
The last two pages have additional information, which we will look at now.

13. A framework for ‘Words that Work’
Acknowledge the difficulty and offer to assist
Identify the risks or negative impacts
Appeal to a higher value or common purpose
Offer a solution
Refer to policy

14. Structure what you would say to them
Your own example
Situation
You notice the school’s stamp supply has been rapidly depleting recently. You come across a staff member taking several stamps – they say ‘I’m just borrowing some to get my last Christmas Cards out while there is still time’.
Structure what you would say to them
Acknowledge the difficulty and offer to assist
Identify the risks or negative impacts
Appeal to a higher value or common purpose
Offer a solution
Refer to policy or guidelines.

15. Other Approaches
Say you are seeking information or clarification about policy or procedure
HRWeb or People Services ( ) (including Recruitment in schools)
Merit Protection Boards –
Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Policy
Schools Financial Manual – Schools Financial Liaison Officer
Privacy Policy, Privacy team
COI toolkit and guidelines (HR Web)
Schools Procurement Policy and Procedure
Your region’s Integrity Liaison Officer
Serious issues such as major conflicts of interest, fraud or corruption must be reported
Employee Conduct Branch – for misconduct ph
Speak up Service – ( )
Independent broad-based anti-corruption commission
Victoria Police
Victorian Ombudsman

16. More information and support
ABMVSS website
Intranet – Integrity Resources page (Support and Services)
Your region’s Integrity Liaison Officer

17. QUESTIONS