Core Values and Code of Ethics

Core Values

The Academy is committed to:

Leadership by Example: By acting as good stewards of Academy resources, and encouraging understanding of and respect for the natural world, the Academy hopes to inspire others to follow suit with their own choices.

Connection with Visitors: Providing an experience that exceeds expectations and ignites a passion for exploration among a broad range of local, national and international visitors; making the Academy's living things, real specimens and working scientists accessible to the public.

Education: Sharing relevant, engaging and accurate information with the public through exhibits, programs, personal connections and user-friendly technology.

Scientific Integrity: In pursuit of fresh discoveries and better understanding of the natural world, uphold core scientific values and adhere to the highest ethical standards.

Respect: In support of a culture of openness and trust, it is essential that Academy employees, donors, volunteers, visitors and business partners treat one another with respect and recognize the importance of diversity.

Community: Contributing to local and scientific communities in the Bay Area and beyond by providing exceptional education, outreach and research programs.

Fun: While exploring, explaining and protecting the natural world is a serious undertaking, the Academy strives to create a fun environment for visitors, volunteers and employees alike.

Code of Ethics

All those involved with the Academy share a commitment to high standards both within the organization and in dealing with others. In support of its mission and values, the Academy requires its employees and volunteers to support its ethics policy.

The following principles arise from a commitment to honor, fairness and respect for each individual and the institution as a whole.

Maintain the Academy's dedication to the preservation, conservation and protection of the environment and its diverse species.

Treat all people with consideration and practice diplomacy when dealing with fellow employees, volunteers, business partners, competitors and visitors.

Accept responsibility for decisions and actions.

Act with integrity, in accordance with the most stringent ethical principles, and maintain the highest standards of scientific objectivity.

Comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information except when legally obligated to disclose.

Provide accurate, timely, clear and objective information to constituents.

Ensure the effective and efficient use of Academy resources.

Our Mission

The mission of the California Academy of Sciences is to explore, explain and protect the natural world.

Our People

The Academy is committed to a work environment that values diversity, innovation and ingenuity. All human resource policies and Academy activities are intended to create a respectful workplace where every individual has the opportunity to reach his or her highest potential. Throughout the organization, the Academy aspires to make employment a source of great personal and professional satisfaction.

The Academy is an equal opportunity employer regardless of race, color, religion, ethnicity, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability or health status.

To ensure all staff members have access to important training and information, the Academy's employee resources include:

Sexual harassment prevention training for all new employees, with recurring training requirements every two years.

Easy access to all policies and procedures on the Academy's Intranet.

An orientation for newly-hired employees, covering the Academy's policies on harassment, communications and other key topics.

Conflict of Interest

In establishing standards of professional conduct, it is important that Academy employees avoid conflicts of interest, and also avoid the appearance of conflict of interest.

The Academy is guided by the American Association of Museums' Code of Ethics for Museums, which states, "Loyalty to the mission of the museum and to the public it serves is the essence of museum work, whether volunteer or paid. Where conflicts of interest arise — actual, potential, or perceived — the duty of loyalty must never be compromised. No individual may use his or her position in a museum for personal gain or to benefit another at the expense of the museum, its mission, its reputation, and the society it serves."

Conflict of interest restrictions apply to the California Academy of Sciences' Board of Trustees as well: "It is the policy of the Board of Trustees that all trustees fully disclose to the Academy any interest which could result in a possible conflict of interest."

It is the continuing responsibility of all staff, trustees and advisors to evaluate their outside business interests and relationships for any apparent, potential or actual conflicts of interest with respect to the Academy. Any such conflict must be fully disclosed before a decision that a conflict exists or not is made and no staff member, trustee or advisor may participate in that decision.

Gifts

While it is permissible to accept gifts of nominal value, social invitations and meals, it is the Academy’s policy that no such gifts obligate the recipient to take or not take certain actions on behalf of the Academy. In situations where declining a gift would be awkward or offensive, it may be accepted on behalf of the Academy, with the approval of the Executive Director.

No staff member, trustee or advisor may accept or gain any economic gain from grantees, vendors, suppliers or consultants who have existing or proposed relationships with the Academy.

Reporting Ethics Violations

The Academy encourages all employees to report violations or suspected violations of laws, regulations, and/or Academy policies, particularly accounting, auditing or other financial practices, or ethical matters, without concern about retaliation or adverse consequences, as described in this Employee Hotline to Board of Trustees Policy.

The matters which should be reported under this policy include suspected fraud, theft, embezzlement, accounting or auditing irregularities, bribery, kickbacks, theft or misuse of Academy assets or suspected regulatory, compliance, or ethics-related issues, concerns or violations.

While it is preferable that all issues are aired and resolved through the normal internal channels of communication, there may be times that an ethical issue needs outside help for resolution. To this end, a special email account has been established which goes directly to the Chair of the Audit Committee, who is a Trustee, without any copy to Academy management.

That email address is: Audit_Chair@calacademy.org.

The policy described above is not a vehicle for reporting violations of the Academy's human resources policies. Employees are encouraged to report any problems with co-workers or managers, issues related to alleged employment discrimination or sexual or any other form of unlawful harassment, to Human Resources through the applicable established procedures. Individuals may contact Human Resources for details.