Ethics Training Frequently Asked Questions
Employees with 50 percent or more employment are required to take the online training offered each fall.
Employees with less than 50 percent employment (including students, extra-help, and graduate assistants), are required to complete the booklet training at http://www.eiu.edu/~ethics. New employees are required to complete the training within 30 days of employment and may do so by the paper-based method.
FAQs for 50 percent to full-time employees
FAQs for less than 50 percent employment, including students and extra-help
50 Percent to Full-Time Employees
Q. I am a new employee. When do I need to complete the Ethics training?
Q. Why do I have to complete ethics training?
A. On Dec. 9, 2003, Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich signed the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act (the "Ethics Act”). One feature of the Ethics Act is the requirement that all state employees participate in annual ethics training.
Q. Who is a “state employee” for purposes of the Ethics Act?
A. The Ethics Act defines “employee” as (i) any person employed full-time, part-time, or pursuant to a contract and whose employment duties are subject to the direction and control of an employer with regard to the material details of how the work is to be performed or (ii) any appointee.
Q. What is the format of the online training?
A. The training is a self-administered, interactive, one-hour program that is accessed through any computer connected to the Internet. The online training consists of lessons relating to: acceptance of gifts, political/fund-raising activities, bribery, solicitation misconduct, official misconduct and conflicts of interest. The training uses scenario-based lessons and self-assessment questions and also contains resource references as well as frequently asked questions.
Q. I work for the university but do not have access to a computer. How do I complete the training?
A. Training can be completed on any computer, including your home computer or a computer at the library or any open computer lab on campus. Contact Ethics Officer, Sandra Bowman at 217-581-5399 to help you locate a computer in order to complete the required training. For those without any computer access, a booklet form of the material is available at Human Resources.
Q. I have taken ethics training in the past. Do I have to take this training, too?
A. Yes, this is the only training approved by the executive inspector general for this purpose. This training is in addition to any other training you may have taken in the past.
Q. Do I need to inform my supervisor when I complete the training?
A. No, unless otherwise specified by your supervisor. Completion will be tracked by software; the ethics officer will receive the compliance report. If you wish, you may print out a certificate of completion if you complete the submission via the web link or you may copy the completed signature page before you send to the Ethics Officer. If your supervisor asks, you should be prepared to show evidence of completion.
Q. Can I take the online training at some time other than the ‘window’ provided (usually the month of October)?
A. No, you will be unable to complete the training early or late. The training will be available to university employees only during that time, and all full-time or 50 percent or more employees must complete the training then.
Q. I am a university employee but did not receive a notice regarding the training. What should I do?
A. Contact the Ethics Officer at 217-581-5399 or sebowman@eiu.edu. If you were hired after the registration list was compiled in September, you will not take the training online. You are, however, required to take ethics training within 30 days.
Q. Is the training time is limited to one hour?
A. No, the training does not have a time limit. You may start and stop the training as necessary. You should take whatever time you need to read and understand the material.
Q. Can I complete the training during my regular work hours?
A. Yes, you will be allowed to take the training during your regular work hours.
Q. If I choose to take the training outside of my regular work hours, will I receive overtime pay?
A. No, overtime pay will not be provided if you choose to complete the training outside of your normal working hours.
Q. Is the training web site available 24 hours a day?
A. Yes. However, the site may be unavailable because of system maintenance on Sunday mornings.
Q. What if I don’t take the training?
A. If you choose not to complete the training, you will be subject to progressive discipline from the University or sanctions from the state. This is the law in Illinois. All state employees must comply.
Q. Once I have completed this training, have I completed my ethics training requirements?
A. Yes, for this year. The law requires annual training, so we will be doing this or something similar again next year and every year.
Q. If the answer to my question is not listed here, whom do I contact?
A. For questions about training or what comprises ethical behavior, contact Sandra Bowman at 217-581-5399 orsebowman@eiu.edu. For questions about problems logging onto the training program, contact the ITS Help Desk at 581-4357 or itshelp@eiu.edu.
Remember, you can only access the site during the designated 30 day period - usually October or November.
Less Than 50 Percent Employment, Including Students and Extra Help
Q. I am a new employee. When do I need to complete the Ethics training?
Q. Why do I have to complete ethics training?
A. On Dec. 9, 2003, Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich signed the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. (the "Ethics Act”). One feature of the Ethics Act is the requirement that all state employees participate in annual ethics training.
Q. Who is a “state employee” for purposes of the Ethics Act?
A. The Ethics Act defines “employee” as (i) any person employed full-time, part-time, or pursuant to a contract and whose employment duties are subject to the direction and control of an employer with regard to the material details of how the work is to be performed or (ii) any appointee.
Q. I am a student and also am employed part-time by the university. Am I required to take the Ethics training?
A. All employees, full or part-time, are required to complete yearly ethics training. However, employees less than 50 percent (including students) take the training by booklet provided at http://www.eiu.edu/~ethics. Student employees should read the booklet provided on this website and give the completed last page to their supervisor or submit online.
Q. What is the format of the booklet training?
A. The booklet training consists of lessons relating to: acceptance of gifts, political/fund-raising activities, bribery, solicitation misconduct, official misconduct and conflicts of interest. After you have read the booklet, complete the last page and send electronically. Be sure to print your acknowledgement for your records or if your supervisor has requested one.
Q. I only work a couple of hours a year. Do I still have to take the training?
A. If you are paid by the university, yes. There are no exceptions.
Q. I have completed ethics training in the past. Do I have to take this training, too?
A. Yes, this is the only training approved by the executive inspector general for this purpose. This training is in addition to any other training you may have taken in the past.
Q. Do I need to inform my supervisor when I complete the booklet training?
A. No, unless otherwise specified by your supervisor. If you submit the last page electronically or print and send the completed last page, the training administrator will receive notification. It would be a good idea to print the certificate if you submit on-line or copy the signed page for your records for your records. If your supervisor asks, you should be prepared to show evidence of completion.
Q. Can I complete the training during my regular work hours?
A. Yes, employees you are allowed to take the training during your regular work hours.
Q. If I choose to take the training outside of my regular work hours, will I receive overtime pay?
A. No, overtime pay will not be provided if you choose to complete the training outside of your normal working hours.
Q. What if I don’t take the training?
A. If you choose not to complete the training, you will be subject to progressive discipline from the University or sanctions from the state. This is the law in Illinois. All state employees must comply.
Q. Once I have completed this training, have I completed my ethics training requirements?
A. Yes, for this year. The law requires annual training, so if you still work for the university next calendar year, you will need to complete the booklet again.
Q. If the answer to my question is not listed here, whom do I contact?
A. For questions about training or what comprises ethical behavior, contact Sandra Bowman at 217-581-5399 or sebowman@eiu.edu. For questions about problems logging onto the training program, contact the ITS Help Desk at 217-581-4357 or itshelp@eiu.edu.
If you do not have an EIU logon ID and password, please contact ITS Help Desk, 217-581-4357 or itshelp@eiu.edu.
