(a) The director shall provide for the development and implementation of a disciplinary matrix with offenses and associated punishments applicable to all department employees, in order to ensure notice and consistency statewide. The disciplinary matrix shall take into account aggravating and mitigating factors for establishing a just and proper penalty for the charged misconduct, as required by the California Supreme Court in Skelly v. State Personnel Board (1975) 15 Cal.3d 194. The presence of aggravating or mitigating factors may result in the imposition of a greater or a lesser penalty than might otherwise be mandated by the disciplinary matrix.
(b) The director shall adopt a code of conduct for all employees of the department.
(c) The director shall ensure that employees who have reported improper governmental activities and who request services from the department are informed of the services available to them.
(d) The department shall post the code of conduct in locations where employee notices are maintained. On July 1, 2005, and annually thereafter, the department shall send by electronic mail to its employees who have authorized access to electronic mail, the following:
(1) Information regarding the code of conduct.
(2) The duty to report misconduct.
(3) How to report misconduct.
(4) The duty to fully cooperate during investigations.
(5) Assurances against retaliation.
(Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 738, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2005.)