To best serve the Salem community, City employees must act individually and collectively to produce a City government that is responsible, equitable, honest and open. City employees are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity, honesty, and conduct in all activities to support public confidence and trust. 

In accordance with the City of Salem Ethics Policy Manual, we are providing reporting and intake processes designed to be equitable and follow clear, consistent and comprehensive practices.  

The professional behavior of City employees should align with the values expressed in the current City of Salem Strategic Plan (March 2021, unless otherwise updated). Employees should strive to embody these values:

• Community-focused
• Inclusive
• Proactive
• Accountable
• Respectful

Employees must also comply with federal, state and City ethics laws, including Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 244 - Government Ethics, Salem Revised Code (SRC) Chapter 12 - Ethics and behave in accordance with the following guidelines:

• Belief in the integrity of government based on the actions of the government's employees.
• Independent, impartial, accountable and responsible behavior in duty to the City and its residents.
• Public office shall not be used for personal gain, or gain for a relative or individual with whom the employee has a significant business or personal relationship.

Breaches of ethics fall into many categories as referenced in the "City of Salem Ethics Policy Manual," Chapter 2.  

Ethics Hotline

To assure the confidentiality and anonymity, to the extent possible, of employees who make complaints about ethics violations, the City of Salem has contracted with an outside hotline operator. All hotline information, including CMS passwords and copies of reports, are kept in a secure environment. Access to this information is limited only to individuals who need to know. In addition, for the first year, another contractor will monitor activity on the hotline to assure the confidentiality of the individuals and information. 

You may contact the hotline in any of the following ways:

To make a report electronically, please submit a form at this link: https://www.lighthouse-services.com/cityofsalem.

You can also make a report by telephone using one of the following options.

• Toll-Free Telephone:

• English speaking USA and Canada: 833-210-1890
• Spanish speaking USA and Canada: 800-216-1288
• Spanish speaking Mexico: 01-800-681-5340
• French speaking Canada: 855-725-0002 
• Contact us if you need a toll-free # for North American callers speaking languages other than English, Spanish or French 

All information received in connection with inquiries, or with the filing, investigation, and resolution of workplace harassment, discrimination and retaliation complaints is treated as highly sensitive. Employees authorized by the City to receive and investigate complaints are required to maintain confidentiality to the extent allowed by Oregon Public Records Law. 

A complainant's identity may have to be disclosed to conduct a thorough investigation, to comply with the law, and/or to provide accused individuals with their legal rights of defense. Complainant information will be disclosed if required by law. 

Reporters to the hotline or who file an online form will have the option to remain anonymous, to the extent possible, if they choose. However, choosing to remain anonymous through the complaint reporting process could impair the investigative process. 

About the City of Salem Ethics Policy

This Policy applies to employees of the City of Salem. City employees are public officials as defined by state law and the policies and procedures regulating the conduct of public officials apply to City employees. This includes exempt, career, limited duration, seasonal, and part-time City employees. 

The following list outlines the order of precedence among federal, state, and other policies:
• Federal law
• State law
• Salem Revised Code
• Labor agreements
• City of Salem Ethics Policy
• City of Salem Human Resources Rules

If an employee is in doubt about whether conduct is consistent with the purpose, intent, and policies of the Ethics Policy, they should consult with their supervisor, Department Director, or Human Resources (HR) Business Partner. If the Specific HR Business Partner is unknown, the HR office can be reached at HR@cityofsalem.net or 503-589-2077.

Policy and Procedure References
• Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
• Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act 2008 (ADAAA)
• Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
• Titles VIII and IX of the Civil Rights Act of 1968
• Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
• Federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993
• Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• Salem Revised Code Chapter 97
• Salem Revised Code Chapter 12
• Equal Pay Act of 1963
• Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), The Age Discrimination Act of 1975
• Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974
• Executive Order 11246 as amended, and regulations of the US Department of Health and Human Services issued pursuant to the Acts
• Title 45 Code of Federal Regulations Part 80, 84 and 91
• Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 244
• Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 224.020
• Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 244.025
• Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 659 and 659A
• Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 654.062(5)(a)
• Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 399.065
• Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 171.120 –125
• Oregon Equal Pay Act 2017
• Human Resource Rules
• Salem Revised Code Chapter 12 Section. 12.050
• Human Resource Rules Section 7.03
• Salem Revised Code Chapter 95 Section 95.080
• Salem Revised Code Chapter 95 Section. 95.090