The Keystone Times Fall 2008
Keystone recognizes compliance excellence
Keystone's Compliance and Integrity team freely admit that Compliance is a delicate subject. After all, it's all about ethics, values and personal accountability in the workplace in addition to adherence to applicable laws, regulations and policies.
“That's why we decided to introduce our new Ethys Awards,” comments Robyn S. Joppy, KHS Vice President of Corporate Compliance. “We admittedly have a serious Mission, but that doesn't mean we can't or shouldn't make it fun. Ultimately, we felt that emulating TV's popular Emmy Awards was a creative way to make learning about Compliance as engaging and memorable as possible.”
As such, Keystone Human Services' Corporate Compliance & Integrity Department kicked off National Corporate Compliance & Ethics Week with its first annual Ethy Awards event.
Corporate Compliance & Ethics Week is nationally recognized and sponsored by the Health Care Compliance Association and the Society for Corporate Compliance & Ethics. This designated week offers an ideal occasion for Keystone to reinforce its commitment to compliance and ethics with our employees.
In 2006, the Corporate Compliance & Integrity department representatives personally traveled throughout Central PA, Delaware and Connecticut to visit each agency. In 2007, utilizing the power of web technology and Keystone's internal e-mail system, our compliance team recognized that virtually every employee could be part of the celebration with the click of a button. Thus, web-based interaction was introduced.
Then in 2008, to further maximize the impact of this new learning mechanism, the committee unveiled their First Annual Ethy Awards. The National Corporate Compliance and Ethics Week Award or “Ethy” is the unparalleled honor bestowed upon those individuals who have successfully demonstrated a commitment to compliance and ethics. During Compliance Week 2008, an Ethy was awarded to five “actors” for their exceptional performances in the following critically acclaimed categories.
- Lead Actor in Knowing the Rules
- Outstanding Performance in Creative Gift Giving
- Best Performance in a Conflict of Interest
- Lead Actress in Creative Business Expenditures
- Outstanding Performance in Paying the Unethical Price
Employees received an email showing five actors that could be nominated for the daily category; they were prompted to click on the envelope (our website link) which would open to reveal the Ethy winner. Each day's event consisted of a brief video clip from TV sitcoms that demonstrated compliance-related issues. For example, we used a video clip from the “The Office” in which a salesperson had used the company credit card to purchase a pair of shoes but failed to disclose this information to their supervisor. To further reinforce the video scenario, we added commentary explaining our responsibility and obligations as employees to actively safeguard Keystone's assets by properly recording the use of company credit cards, expense reports, time sheets, etc.
Following the commentary, a brief multiple choice question was inserted. Employees had to select the Compliance principle that was violated in the scenario. The question also provided a link to the Keystone Human Services' Compliance plan to essentially allow an open book test. Employees submitted their answers along with their name, email address and agency which were automatically entered into our web database. All correct answers were entered into a daily random drawing for a chance to win a compliance gift package. Clearly, these attractive prizes reflect the importance Keystone places on active participation in its Compliance endeavors.
Obviously, this entire web-based initiative would never have been possible without the remarkable skills and ingenuity of Mark Olson, Keystone's Director of Web Services. Not only did Mark effectively translate the Ethys concept into a computer friendly teaching tool, but his special effects added a note of glamour and humor that made participation especially enjoyable.
In the end, the Ethys Awards proved to be an inspiring and cost-effective means of reaching and educating a large audience. Subsequently, employees were excited to learn even more about compliance, and how it must shape their decisions and guide their Keystone efforts every day.
The Ethy awards will return in 2009 but with a new twist. So stay tuned for more late breaking news.
Contact Information
Vice President of Corporate Compliance
Local: (717) 232-9702
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