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Our Values

At Oak Ridge National Laboratory, we fulfill our missions by aligning our behaviors, priorities, and interactions with five core values: Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. These values guide how we treat one another, work together, and measure success — not only as individuals, but as groups and as an institution.

IMPACT

IMPACT

We pioneer new scientific frontiers and translate discoveries into solutions for national and global challenges.

  • We innovate to address the most pressing and complex questions in energy, fundamental science, and national security.
  • We foster an inquisitive and invigorating environment that is conducive to excellence.
  • We align and harness broad expertise to achieve results greater than any of us can achieve alone.
  • We pursue continuous learning and improvement so everyone’s work defines or reflects best practices in their fields.
  • Each of us takes pride in our work because big accomplishments stem from countless individual contributions.

David Denton, Lance Wyant (on manipulator) and Cassandra Fike-Hanley prepare irradiated thorium target segments for dissolution. That processing will separate out actinium-225, which will then be packaged for customers. Credit: Genevieve Martin/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

INTEGRITY

We hold ourselves and each other to the highest standards and do the right thing even when no one is watching.

  • We are trustworthy, fair, and respectful in all we do.
  • Everyone is held to the same high standard, regardless of background, role, or seniority.
  • Our conduct reflects the highest standards for every facet of research and operations.
  • When we see behavior that falls short of our organizational codes of conduct, we respectfully speak up without fear of negative consequences.
  • We treat others as we wish to be treated.
     

TEAMWORK

TEAMWORK

We collaborate within and across teams, recognizing we are better together.

  • We believe a strong sense of connection is essential for our best work.
  • We develop and nurture creative teams with the necessary backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and expertise.
  • We work to ensure that all staff members have a consistent work experience regardless of role or place in our organization.
  • We thrive on thoughtful exchanges of ideas that remain respectful even when perspectives differ.
  • We are quick to share credit.

SAFETY

SAFETY

We are accountable for the health, safety, and well-being of ourselves, our colleagues, and our communities.

  • As individuals and as an organization, our highest priority is to make sure that everyone goes home safely at the end of each day.
  • We conduct ourselves according to well-defined principles for the safe conduct of research.
  • To deliver on the mission of the laboratory, it is essential that all our activities be performed safely. Safety is not limited to physical space; it applies equally to the atmosphere we create for our staff. Every staff member must feel safe to speak up whenever anything is wrong.
  • Everyone has the right and the responsibility to raise concerns when they see conduct that may be unsafe.
  • Safety incidents provide opportunities to learn rather than criticize.
     

SERVICE

SERVICE

We come together to make the world a better place, stewarding national resources, preparing the next generation, and giving back to our communities.

  • We share our time, expertise, and resources with our communities and professional organizations.
  • We build, maintain, and operate world-leading facilities that enable the broader scientific community to advance discoveries and technical breakthroughs.
  • We are preparing the next generation of talent through education, outreach, mentorship, and collaboration.
  • We believe the most successful leaders are those who nurture and develop others.
  • We are entrusted with the effective use of public funds.