Professional Conduct Guidelines - B. Misconduct, October 2006

• To maintain appropriate standards of conduct and work-related
performance in the Ambulance Service;
• To protect and enhance the integrity and reputation of the Ambulance
Service.
It is essential that the Chief Executive’s consideration of the severest penalty
must not involve any pre-judgment as to what penalty, if any, is ultimately to
be applied to the employee. Consideration of the actual penalty, if any to be
applied, is not to occur until the steps outlined below have been carried out.
The Chief Executive shall consider the following:
• The facts of the case
• The impact of the conduct on the objectives in Part 3 of the Regulation.
• The degree of relevance of the conduct matter to the employee’s
position and duties
• Skill, experience, position of the employee
• The nature and seriousness of the matter, including the effect and
circumstance of the incident
• Mitigating or extenuating circumstances if available at this stage
• The employment history and general conduct history of the employee
• Whether the conduct or substantially similar conduct have previously
been the subject of counselling or previous remedial or disciplinary
action
• Whether policy and guidelines applicable to the conduct were in place,
were known, or were being followed or required to be followed
• The effect of the proposed action on the employee
Engaged in Misconduct – disciplinary action
If the Chief Executive is of the opinion an employee has engaged in
misconduct and that disciplinary action may be appropriate, the employee
must be notified in writing of that opinion and of the disciplinary action being
considered, including the severest penalty (see Sample letter 8).
Before any disciplinary action is taken the employee is to have an opportunity
to make a submission in relation to the disciplinary action being considered
and be given the opportunity to have an interview with the Chief Executive.
The written notification must state:
• The details of the misconduct (The full Investigation Report with all
attachments should be included)
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