Title: M3. Quiz feedback
Course: Code of Ethics and conduct OAS - 3rd Edition > Section: Module 3. Application of the Code of Ethics

Answers rationale

Question 1:

Joffrey works at a Department of the GS/OAS. Katryn works in a different Department of the GS/OAS. Both are on a mission in Argentina. Because the official events of the mission start Monday morning, Joffrey and Katryn arrived in Argentina on Sunday.
That same Sunday evening both meet at the hotel lobby and decide to have dinner together. During dinner, Joffrey compliments Katryn’s dress, and Katryn smiles and thanks Joffrey for the compliment. Joffrey keeps complimenting Katryn, but now he is talking about her physical attributes. Katryn asks Joffrey to stop. Joffrey pulls his chair closer to Katryn’s, and tries to hold her hand. Katryn stands up and walks away from the table.

Is Joffrey’s conduct in accordance with the Code of Ethics?

💡Rationale: suggests that Joffrey’s actions may be characterized as Sexual Harassment. Even though the events narrated happened outside of assigned office space and during a weekend, this is Sexual Harassment and violates the Code of Ethics. People who work for the Organization must behave in a way that is consistent with the Code of Ethics in all social settings.
Moreover, note that verbal comments and attempts to touch someone (e.g., hold their hand) can be considered Sexual Harassment, depending on the context. Although in this case, Katryn made clear that Joffrey’s attitudes were unwelcome, some conduct can be considered Sexual Harassment even if the victim does not verbally or otherwise explicitly resist.

Question 2:

Joffrey and Johan work in the same Department at GS/OAS and have the same hierarchical level. Their team has a WhatsApp group used mainly to discuss work-related topics, but which sometimes also holds conversations about non-work-related topics.

On Saturday morning, Johan sent an embarrassing Gif animation of a cartoon character to the group, saying afterward that he looks exactly like Joffrey. During the rest of the weekend, James sends three other images to the group with the character, always comparing the character to Joffrey.

Monday morning, back at the office, Johan greets Joffrey by calling him by the name of the character. Joffrey responds by requesting that Johan stop calling him by that name. For the next two months, Johan keeps calling Joffrey by this name, including during a mission, and sending the same kind of messages to the WhatsApp group, despite Joffrey’s request to stop this behavior.

Is Johan’s conduct in accordance with the Code of Ethics?

💡Rationale: The information provided suggests that Johan’s actions may be characterized as Workplace Harassment. Johan’s actions are inappropriate, and despite Joffrey’s requests, Johan does not stop the comments. Also notice, that the concept of the “Workplace” is not limited to office space. In this case, it includes a virtual platform (WhatsApp group), and it also includes missions or other work requiring travel.

Question 3:

Joffrey is a manager at the GS/OAS. He has created a group in WhatsApp to share information about work and projects with his team. Katryn works in this team and is a member of this WhatsApp group.
One night, during dinner, she receives a pornographic image from the group and realizes that it was sent by her manager, Joffrey. She does not say anything about it, thinking the message may have been sent by mistake.
However, she receives the same kinds of messages in the next days, and all of Katryn’s colleagues seem to be having fun with the pictures. Katryn talks to Joffrey, and asks him to stop sending those types of messages, because they make her uncomfortable, and she cannot leave the group because they also discuss work related matters there. Joffrey ignores Katryn’s request, and keeps sending pornographic images to the group, saying that “the others are not complaining – they’re actually enjoying it! Just relax and have fun with the rest of the team!”

Is Joffrey’s conduct in accordance with the Code of Ethics?

💡Rationale: The information provided suggests that Joffrey’s attitudes may be characterized as Sexual Harassment. Note that Sexual Harassment can occur in a virtual workspace (in this case a WhatsApp group) and that Sexual Harassment is not limited to situations where there is an attempt by one person to get involved sexually with a co-worker, nor situations where threats or promises are present. In this case, we see a manager displaying materials of a sexually oriented nature, despite Katryn’s request for this behavior to stop. Although those images were not directly addressed to Katryn, they were affecting her experience in the Workplace.

Question 4:

Katryn is a Staff member at the GS/OAS, and she has worked for the Organization for two years in the same department.
Her current contract is expiring in two months and her manager, Tina, indicates in a conversation that her contract with the GS/OAS will be renewed. One month before the signing of the new contract, in a conversation at lunch, Tina finds out that Katryn is converting to a new religion. Tina demonstrates her surprise with Katryn’s decision, but the conversation goes in a different direction.
One week later, Tina informs Katryn that her contract will not be renewed anymore, due to budget constraints. Later, Katryn finds out that Tina offered a contract to Johan, to do the same activities that Katryn used to do, receiving the same salary. Johan is as qualified as Katryn for the position, and he shares the same religion as Tina.

Is Tina’s conduct in accordance with the Code of Ethics?

💡Rationale: The information provided suggests that Tina’s decision not to renew Katryn’s contract was based purely on Katryn’s religion. Therefore, this might be considered Discrimination under GS/OAS Code of Ethics. Remember, the Code of Ethics is applicable not only to Staff Members, but also to Other Service Providers.