2006 Ohio [4121.12.2] 4121.122.Power to discipline employees; code of ethics; internal security committee.

[§ 4121.12.2] § 4121.122. Power to discipline employees; code of ethics; internal security committee.
 

(A)  The administrator of workers' compensation, for employees of the bureau of workers' compensation, and the industrial commission, for employees of the commission may discipline, suspend, demote, or discharge any employee for misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance. In the case of any deputy administrator, or of any employee assigned to the investigation or determination of claims, and finding of the administrator or the commission that such person is not efficient, impartial, or judicious, if supported by any evidence and not promoted by personal, political, racial, or religious discrimination shall be accepted as a fact justifying the action taken by the administrator or commission. 

(B)  The administrator and the commission shall jointly adopt, in the form of a rule, a code of ethics for all employees of the bureau and the commission and post copies of the rule in a conspicuous place in every bureau and commission office. 

(C)  The administrator and the commission shall jointly adopt rules setting forth procedures designed to eliminate outside influence on bureau and commission employees, produce an impartial workers' compensation claims handling process, and avoid favoritism in the claims handling process. Failure to adopt and enforce these rules constitutes grounds for removal of the administrator and the members of the commission. 

(D)  The commission and the administrator shall appoint a six-member internal security committee composed of three bureau employees appointed by the administrator and three commission employees appointed by the commission. The administrator shall supply to the committee the services of trained investigative personnel and clerical assistance necessary to the committee's duties. The committee shall investigate all claims or cases of criminal violations, abuse of office, or misconduct on the part of bureau or commission employees and shall conduct a program of random review of the processing of workers' compensation claims. 
 

The committee shall deliver to the administrator, the commission, or the governor any case for which remedial action is necessary. The committee shall maintain a public record of its activities, ensuring that the rights of innocent parties are protected, and, once every six months, shall report to the governor, the general assembly, the administrator, and commission, the committee's findings and the corrective actions subsequently taken in cases considered by the committee. 
 

HISTORY: 126 v 1015 (Eff 10-5-55); 136 v S 545 (Eff 1-1-77); 143 v H 222. Eff 11-3-89.