Introduction
We have a duty to the people who commission work from us and to the people who make use of the products we manufacture, supply, install or recommend. In considering our professional conduct, we should always be aware of the effects of our attitudes and actions on our employers, clients, colleagues, suppliers, users and fellow professionals. Not only should our conduct be exemplary but we should invest in our skills so that we are able to offer a high degree of competence exercised in a responsible manner.
We should aspire to the highest standards in honesty, legality, quality, teamwork, cultural sensitivity, social responsibility and professional growth. We should respect people, being fair in all our dealings. We should contribute to the development of our professional association, the PSSA, and participate actively in its running.
Duties to the association
- Comply with the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Protect and promote the interests of the PSSA, acting in a way that will enhance its reputation and attract new members
- In the interest of both members and the association, in order to ensure consistency and accuracy of detail and message, any communication which refers to both a member company and the PSSA (other than attachment of member logo) must be sanctioned by the PSSA Council prior to publication
- When representing the PSSA, provide the Secretariat with notification of the event and a brief record of the interaction. (Note: This is especially important regarding formal representation, e.g. on Standards Committees, where two-way information exchanges with other members must take place)
- Members, contractors and other agents of PSSA must not hold themselves out to represent PSSA without (direct or indirect) permission from Council
- Communicate on the PSSA’s behalf only when authorised by Council to do so, stating when opinions are personal and considering their consequences
- Keep member-only information, including online content, within the membership except when using it to promote the PSSA or with permission
- Respond fully and honestly to any requests from the Disciplinary Committee, attending meetings and disclosing unspent criminal offences if required, and accepting both its findings and any sanctions that it imposes
Duties to the profession
- Comply with all legal obligations, including those related to contracts, health& safety, advertising standards, trades descriptions and liability
- Protect and promote the interests of the profession, acting in a way that will enhance its reputation
- Make no misleading statements about personal qualifications, experience, competences or references
- Give honest and reliable professional opinions, maintaining objectivity in professional judgements
- Maintain and develop skills to facilitate a high degree of ethical competence (that is, the responsible application of skills augmented by the sourcing of professional advice or assistance when the limit of those skills is reached)
- Encourage other practitioners to maintain similar standards
- Conduct research and publish articles to build and share knowledge within the profession, mentoring entrants and supporting educators where possible
- Include protection of the environment and the preservation and improvement of quality of life as factors when making operating decisions
Duties to clients or employers
- Ensure terms of business or employment are clearly stated and honoured in full, unless modified or terminated by mutual consent
- Make clients fully aware of the services that a quoted fee is intended to cover, and accept no rewards that might cause conflicts of interest or be seen as bribes
- Disclose any relevant financial interest or potential conflict of interest
- Ensure any employees, subordinates or sub-contractors are capable and diligent, accepting responsibility for circumstances within control and authority
- Keep sensitive information secure
Duties to peers and colleagues
- Set reasonable market rates and participate fairly in tendering, without entering into covert price-fixing or market-sharing arrangements
- Show courtesy and consideration, never abusing authority over others, and provide objective comment on work without personal denigration
Duties to users
- Provide the best possible products/service within the constraints imposed by client, employer, budget and circumstance
Duties to suppliers
- Place work fairly without accepting inducements of any kind Offer fair trading arrangements
- Disclose any relevant financial interest or potential conflict of interest
Complaints procedure
- If you feel you have reason to make a complaint under this code, send details to: The Disciplinary Committee, PSSA, Omega Business Village, Thurston Road, Northallerton, DL6 2NJ. Please include all relevant supporting evidence for a full and fair investigation.
Disciplinary procedure
- A Disciplinary Committee appointed by Council will investigate the complaint in confidence and report its findings. Council will consider the action required, with sanctions to include expulsion, downgrading, reprimand, caution or reparation.