Courts, Workplace Culture, and Technology

August 24, 2023, A Question of Ethics Conversation Episode Today’s Question of Ethics Conversation looks at workplace culture and technology. It focuses on the ethical challenges to workplace culture and technology as it pertains to Canon 1.1 of the NACM Model Code of Conduct which states that a court professional faithfully carries out all appropriately assigned duties, striving at all times to perform the work:           Diligently - characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort.         Efficiently - capable of producing desired results with little or no waste (as of time or materials)          Equitably - dealing fairly and equally with all concerned          Thoroughly -  in a complete or thorough manner          Courteously - marked by respect for and consideration of others          Honestly – without cheating, genuine, without frills          Openly -exposed to general view or knowledge          Within the Scope of the court professional’s authority.   According to the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), an organization's culture defines the proper way to behave within the organization. This culture consists of shared beliefs and values established by leaders and then communicated and reinforced through various methods, ultimately shaping employee perceptions, behaviors and understanding. Organizational culture sets the context for everything an enterprise does. Because industries and situations vary significantly, there is not a one-size-fits-all culture template that meets the needs of all organizations.   Workplace culture has a profound effect on any organization as these statistics bear out. 53% of working Americans who have left a job due to workplace culture report leaving because of their relationship with their manager. 94% of people managers agree a positive workplace culture creates a resilient team of employees. 97% of executives agree their actions have a direct impact on workplace culture.   Technology is a tool, but it can have a dramatic effect on workplace culture. "Technology can be used to enhance information and operations, improve public access to court information and services, and reduce administrative costs while increasing efficiency in case processing.” This Question of Ethics Conversation looks at how technology plays a role in workplace culture for court users, for one’s co-workers, and on a court’s institutional knowledge.   Today’s Moderator Creadell Webb: Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer; First Judicial District, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania   Today’s Panelists Courtney Whiteside: Director, Municipal Court, St. Louis, Missouri Karl Thoennes: Court Administrator, 2nd Judicial Circuit, Sioux Falls, South Dakota Peter Kiefer: Retired Court Professional Samantha Wallis: Deputy Trial Court Administrator, Supreme Court, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Ceclia Garner: Court of Court, General District Court, Richmond, Virginia