FEDERAL

• U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE): The OGE provides leadership and oversight of the executive branch ethics program and focuses on preventing conflicts of interest.

• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.

• Department of Labor (DOL): The DOL enforces a broad range of worker protection laws covering issues like minimum wage, overtime pay, workplace safety, and family leave. They also investigate complaints and ensure compliance with federal labor regulations.

STATE

• State Labor Departments: State labor departments enforce state-specific labor laws and regulations, which may include provisions related to workplace ethics, fair labor standards, and worker protection. For example, the Texas Workforce Commission handles complaints related to harassment and discrimination.

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): OSHA ensures safe and healthy working conditions by setting and enforcing standards and providing training, outreach, education, and assistance. 

  
  

Summary

Federal and state accountability in governing bodies relies on a system of checks and balances, including oversight agencies, internal controls, and legal frameworks. These mechanisms work together to ensure the responsible use of public funds and adherence to ethical and legal standards.

At the federal level, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) serves as a critical oversight body, conducting audits, evaluations, and investigations to promote transparency and efficiency in government operations.

At the state level, accountability is maintained through a combination of state auditors, legislative oversight committees, inspectors general, and other specialized agencies. These bodies ensure compliance with state laws, monitor financial integrity, and investigate instances of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Together, these federal and state mechanisms uphold the principles of good governance, foster public trust, and safeguard taxpayer resources.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. US EEOC. (n.d.). https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/title-vii-civil-rights-act-1964

Prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin in employment. 

Equal Pay Act (EPA) of 1963

Equal pay act of 1963. US EEOC. (n.d.-a). https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/equal-pay-act-1963

Requires that men and women in the same workplace be given equal pay for equal work, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). 

Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967

Age discrimination in employment act of 1967. US EEOC. (n.d.-a). https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/age-discrimination-employment-act-1967

Protects individuals 40 years of age and older from employment discrimination based on age. 

Wages and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

 Wages and the Fair Labor Standards Act. DOL. (n.d.-a). https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/flsa

Establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor standards affecting full-time and part-time workers in the private sector and in Federal, State, and local governments. 

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Family and medical leave act. DOL. (n.d.-a). https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla

Allows eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons. 

TEXAS CONSTITUTIONAL LAW:

Texas Ethics Commission in Article III, Section 24a

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/docs/GV/htm/GV.571.htm

• Texas Government Code, Chapter 572: This chapter sets out standards of conduct for state officers and employees. It prohibits:

• Accepting or soliciting benefits that could reasonably influence official duties.

• Engaging in other employment that would require or induce the disclosure of confidential information.

• Accepting compensation that could reasonably impair independent judgment in official duties.

• Making personal investments that create a substantial conflict of interest with public duties.

• Intentionally or knowingly soliciting or accepting benefits for exercising official powers or duties in favor of another.

https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/title-vii-civil-rights-act-1964

https://www.ada.gov/law-and-regs/ada/

These are federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination based on factors like race, sex, religion, national origin, age, and disability. Examples include Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Wrongful Termination: Employees terminated for illegal reasons, such as retaliation for whistleblowing or reporting safety violations.

Unsafe Working Conditions: Cases involving injuries on the job due to employer negligence or failure to provide a safe work environment.

Wage and Hour Violations: Failure to pay proper wages, overtime, or provide meal and rest breaks.

Breach of Confidentiality: Sharing sensitive company information, including trade secrets or customer data.

Conflicts of Interest: When an employee's personal interests clash with their professional responsibilities.

Whistleblowing: Reporting illegal or unethical activities within the company.

https://www.justice.gov/jmd/ethics/principles-ethical-conduct#

On February 3, 1993, the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, issued by the Office of Government Ethics for codification at 5 C.F.R. Part 2635, replaced the many individual agency standard of conduct regulations with a uniform set of standards.

Create a comprehensive code of conduct that outlines acceptable and unacceptable behaviors, ensuring it's easily accessible to all employees.

Provide Training and Education:

Regularly educate employees on ethical principles, the organization's code of conduct, and potential ethical dilemmas they might encounter.

Promote Ethical Leadership:

Leaders should model ethical behavior, communicate the importance of ethics, and hold themselves and others accountable.

One item in the code of ethics for the aviation industry is Professionalism. A flight program is made up of several different departments that work towards putting aircrafts in flight. These departments include Tooling, Supply Chain, Parts Control, Hangar Operations and Finance. Issues can arise when one department faces unforeseen constraints, which can lead to missed project deadlines and push deadlines to the right. Professionalism is needed when handling these tough situations in order to adapt and adjust as a team which can help towards completion of the project as a unified team.  

Secondly, I have had the chance to attend schools with a diverse set of staff and students in which I have never felt that I was discriminated against or treated differently. I even felt that the teachers would the extra mile to ensure all students had the tools to pass each class or each exam. I feel this way even now; all professors I have had in my classes at Angelo State have treated me with respect and fairness. This could be due to the Equal Protection Clause. Under the Equal Protection Clause, all students must be treated the same.

Lastly, I have been allowed to speak my mind freely while on my journey towards earning a master’s degree. This dates back to even as early as High School when open discussions were held on certain topics in which students were allowed to speak out on their stance. I have always felt that I had a voice. I want to note that students in public schools have free speech rights under the First Amendment, however, schools do have their own policies regarding free speech.

https://www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/findlaw-for-teens/students-rights-at-school/#

Texas workplace ethics laws primarily focus on preventing discrimination, ensuring fair labor practices, and promoting ethical conduct in public service. Key areas include:

• Protections against employment are discriminated against race. color, religion, sex, national origin, age, and disability. 

• Texas also has laws addressing wage and hour standards, including overtime pay, and specific ethics guidelines for state officers and employees.

• Research case laws to gain knowledge of how past issues were handled and what decisions were made.

• Learn what risk management strategies can benefit you in your profession.

• Study the code of ethics for your organization.

• Reflect on your personal connection the laws and how those laws have impacted you directly.