Ethics Matters

The independent Ethics Matters hotline and web site allow citizens and employees to anonymously report concerns about the conduct of county employees, officials or agents of the county. Ethics Matters adds to Washington County’s existing framework for maintaining ethical conduct and supporting organization-wide values among the County’s employees. The hotline and website simplifies the reporting of inquiries and complaints about the County’s ethical conduct by providing a single point of contact through a third-party, contracted service provider. This service is intended to enhance, not replace, the system and structures ensuring ethical practices the County already has in place.


Organizational Values

The Ethics Matters hotline and website exist within a context of Washington County’s organizational values and guiding principles. We strive to provide services in an environment of trust, loyalty and civility which comes from open, honest, and direct interactions with each other and our residents. Our actions are intended to be in accord with the law and the public interest. We seek to ensure quality supervision and accountability throughout the organization.

Washington County also places a high value on all of our employees, priding ourselves on developing – and supporting – a capable and professional staff. We commit ourselves to employee development and active performance management.
 
In keeping with these guiding principles, Washington County encourages its employees and members of the public to report any known or suspected improper governmental conduct to a responsible County representative or to the confidential Ethics Matters hotline.
 

Resources

More guidance about the ethical conduct of public employees can be found here:
 

Need to Make a Report?

Submit an anonymous report by phone or website:
 
 

Follow Up on an Existing Report

After you complete your report you will be assigned a unique code called a "report key." Write down your report key and password and keep them in a safe place. After five to six business days, use your report key and password to check your report for feedback or questions. Track reports through this link: