Our Code of Conduct
We are proud to support the governing body of IT in the UK, the British Computer Society, and to subscribe to its Professional Code of Conduct. What does this mean to you, the customer?
The Public Interest - we will
- have regard for the public health, safety and environment in our professional role.
- have regard to the legitimate rights of third parties, including professional colleagues, or possibly competitors, or members of 'the public' who might be affected by an IT System without their being directly aware of its existence.
- ensure that within our professional field/s we have knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation, regulations and standards, and that we comply with such requirements. As examples, relevant legislation could, in the UK, include the Public Interest Disclosure Act, Disability Discrimination Act, Data Protection or Privacy legislation, Computer Misuse law, legislation concerned with the export or import of technology, possibly for national security reasons, or law relating to intellectual property. This list is not exhaustive, and we will ensure that we are aware of any legislation relevant to our professional responsibilities. In the international context, we will be aware of, and understand, the requirements of law specific to the jurisdiction within which we are working, and, where relevant, to supranational legislation such as EU law and regulation. We will seek specialist advice when necessary.
- conduct our professional activities without discrimination against clients or colleagues, including, but not limited to race, colour, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, age and disability. We believe all colleagues have a right to be treated with dignity and respect. We will adhere to the relevant law within the jurisdiction where we are working and, if appropriate, the European Convention on Human Rights. We promote equal access to the benefits of IT by all groups in society, and to avoid and reduce 'social exclusion' from IT wherever opportunities arise.
- reject and shall not make any offer of bribery or inducement.
Duty to Relevant Authority - we will:
- carry out work or study with due care and diligence in accordance with the relevant authority's requirements, and the interests of system users. If our professional judgement is overruled, we will indicate the likely risks and consequences.
- avoid any situation that may give rise to a conflict of interest between us and our relevant authority. make full and immediate disclosure to them if any conflict is likely to occur or be seen by a third party as likely to occur. endeavour to complete work undertaken on time to budget and shall advise the relevant authority as soon as practicable if any overrun is foreseen.
- not disclose or authorise to be disclosed, or use for personal gain or to benefit a third party, confidential information except with the permission of our relevant authority, or at the direction of a court of law.
- not misrepresent or withhold information on the performance of products, systems or services, or take advantage of the lack of relevant knowledge or inexperience of others.
Duty to the Profession - we will:
- uphold the reputation and good standing of the BCS in particular, and the profession in general, and shall seek to improve professional standards through participation in their development, use and enforcement.
- accept that as Members of the BCS we also have a wider responsibility to promote public understanding of IT - its benefits and pitfalls - and, whenever practical, to counter misinformation that brings or could bring the profession into disrepute. We encourage and support fellow members in their professional development and, where possible, provide opportunities for the professional development of new members, particularly student members. Enlightened mutual assistance between IT professionals furthers the reputation of the profession, and assists individual members.
- act with integrity in our relationships with all members of the BCS and with members of other professions with whom we work in a professional capacity.
- have due regard for the possible consequences of our statements on others. We will not make any public statement in our professional capacity unless we are properly qualified and, where appropriate, authorised to do so. We will not purport to represent the BCS or a client company unless authorised to do so.
- understand that the offering of an opinion in public, holding oneself out to be an expert in the subject in question, is a major personal responsibility and will not be undertaken lightly.
- notify the Society if convicted of a criminal offence or upon becoming bankrupt or disqualified as Company Director
Professional Competence and Integrity - we will:
- seek to upgrade our professional knowledge and skill, and shall maintain awareness of technological developments, procedures and standards which are relevant to our field, and encourage our subordinates and colleagues to do likewise.
- not claim any level of competence that we do not possess. We shall only offer to do work or provide a service that is within our professional competence.
- accept professional responsibility for our work and for the work of colleagues who are defined in a given context as working under our supervision.
Respect for the Interests of our Customers - we will:
- declare any personal gains, financial or otherwise, that we may make from any proposed work and will not falsify or conceal information for our own benefit.
- accept only those assignments which we are qualified and competent to undertake; we have a particular responsibility when we consider an assignment to be of questionable value to our customer.
- safeguard the confidentiality of all information concerning our customers.
- refrain from acting for several customers with competing or conflicting interests without prior agreement from all parties.
- utilise professional judgement and act with professional objectivity and independence at all times; in this respect "independence" is taken to mean "independence of relationships which might be taken to impair objectivity".
- inform customers immediately of any interests or change of circumstances, which might prejudice the objectivity of the advice given.
- disclose any interests in products which we may recommend to our customer.
- not disclose to any third party any confidential information about our customers or their competitors.
Promote Good Practices within the Organisation - we will:
- identify opportunities for increasing the awareness of IT throughout the organisation.
- be aware of the interaction of our work with that of others involved in the same activity.
- seek to identify potential hazards, failures and risks associated with our work or work place, and seek to ensure that they are appropriately addressed.
- ensure that those working under our supervision or direction are competent, that they are made aware of their responsibilities and they accept personal responsibility for the work delegated to them.
- help to promote a culture within the organisation which strives for continuous improvement; seek involvement and participation in best practices at all levels.
- when problems arise, take responsible corrective actions, even when such actions are beyond our responsibility.
- take every opportunity to contribute to formal quality management systems within the organisation and fully understand quality and commercial practices.
- contribute positively to the fulfilment of the overall QA function of the organisation.
Representing the Profession to the Public - we will:
- contribute to the education of the public whenever we have the opportunity, so that they can be aware of and form an objective and informed view on IT issues.
- ensure that all complaints from members of the public are dealt with properly through to resolution; such complaints include, but are not restricted, to accessibility, data protection and data security issues.
- encourage user and consumer trust in global networks and electronic commerce.