Policies

Professional and Ethical Standards

There are five standards.

All employees, contractors and volunteers must be able to demonstrate that they:

  1. Act with integrity

  2. Always provide a professional standard of service

  3. Act in a way that promotes trust in the profession

  4. Treat others with respect

  5. Take responsibility


Act with integrity

This means being honest and straightforward in all that you do.
This standard includes, but is not limited to the following behaviours or actions:

  1. Being trustworthy in all that you do.

  2. Being open and transparent in the way you work. Sharing appropriate and necessary information with our clients and/or others to conduct business and doing so in a way so they can understand that information.

  3. Respecting confidential information of your clients and potential clients. Don’t divulge information to others unless it is appropriate to do so.

  4. Not taking advantage of a client, a colleague, a third party or anyone to whom you owe a duty of care.

  5. Not allowing bias, conflict of interest, or the undue influence of others to override your professional or business judgements and obligations.

  6. Making clear to all interested parties where a conflict of interest, or even a potential conflict of interest arises between you or DiNN Enterprise CIC and our client.

  7. Not offering or accepting gifts, hospitality or services, which might suggest an improper obligation.

  8. Acting consistently in the public interest when it comes to making decisions or providing advice.


Always provide a high standard of service

This means always ensuring that your client, or others to whom you have professional responsibility, receive the best possible advice, support or performance of the terms of engagement you have agreed.

This standard includes, but is not limited to the following behaviours or actions:

  1. Be clear about what service your client wants and the service you are providing.

  2. Act within your scope of competence. If it appears that services are required outside that scope then be prepared to do something about it, for example, make it known to your client, obtain expert input or consultation, or if it is the case that you are unable to meet the service requirements, explain that you are not best placed to act for the client.

  3. Be transparent about fees and any other costs or payments such as referral fees or commissions.

  4. Communicate with our clients in a way that will allow them to make informed decisions.

  5. If you use the services of others then ensure that you pay for those services within the timescale agreed.

  6. Encourage your firm or organisation you work for to put the fair treatment of clients at the centre of its business culture.


Act in a way that promotes trust in the profession

This means acting in a manner, both in your professional life and private life, to promote you, your firm or organisation you work for and the profession in a professional and positive way.

This standard includes, but is not limited to the following behaviours or actions:

  1. Promoting what you and the profession stand for – the highest standards globally.

  2. Understanding that being a professional is more than just about how you behave at work; it is also about how you behave in your private life.

  3. Understanding how your actions affect others and the environment and if appropriate questioning or amending that behaviour.

  4. Fulfilling your obligations. Doing what you say you will.

  5. Always trying to meet the spirit of your professional standards and not just the letter of the standards.


Treat others with respect

This means treating people with courtesy, politeness, and consideration, no matter their race, religion, size, age, country of origin, gender, sexual orientation or disability. It also means being aware of cultural sensitivities and business practices.

This standard includes, but is not limited to the following behaviours or actions:

  1. Always being courteous, polite and considerate to clients, potential clients and everyone else you come into contact with.

  2. Never discriminate against anyone for whatever reason. Always ensure that issues of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, size, religion, country of origin or disability have no place in the way you deal with other people or do business.

  3. As much as you are able, encourage the firm or organisation you work for to put the fair and respectful treatment of clients at the centre of its business culture.


Take responsibility

This means being accountable for all your actions – don’t blame others if things go wrong, and if you suspect something isn’t right be prepared to do something.

This standard includes, but is not limited to the following behaviours or actions:

  1. Always act with skill, care and diligence.

  2. If someone makes a complaint about something that you have done then respond in an appropriate and professional manner and aim to resolve the matter to the satisfaction of the complainant as far as you can.

  3. If you think something is not right, be prepared to question it and raise the matter as appropriate with your colleagues, within DiNN Enterprise CIC or the client, or with any other appropriate person, body or organisation.


If you have any questions about any of these ethical standards, or you would like to report a volunteer, contractor or employee you believe is in violation of these ethical standards, please contact us - [email protected]

Last review: 30 Sept 2024