Code Of Ethics Violation Policy

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Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for ethical conduct among TNVCert professionals, identifying violations of the code of ethics, promoting transparency, and reinforcing commitment to integrity and ethical business practices.

Scope

This policy applies to all TNVCert professionals including employees, trainers, examiners, and invigilators, members of different committees, partners, distributors, certified individuals, and certificate holders.

3. Terms and Definitions

Ethics
(Adapted from “Professional Ethics” definition from Psychology Dictionary):
Standards and rules of conduct that TNVCert professionals are expected and required to meet.

Violation
A behavior contrary to that required by a rule (ISO/IEC 15424:2015, clause 6.3.8).

Conflict of Interest
Situation where business, financial, family, political, or personal interests could interfere with the judgment of persons in carrying out their duties for the organization (ISO 37001:2016, clause 3.29).

Impartiality
Presence of objectivity (ISO/IEC 17024:2012, clause 3.15).

  • NOTE 1: Objectivity means that conflicts of interest do not exist or are resolved so as not to adversely influence subsequent activities of the certification body.
  • NOTE 2: Other terms that are useful in conveying the element of impartiality are independence, freedom from conflict of interests, freedom from bias, lack of prejudice, neutrality, fairness, open-mindedness, even-handedness, detachment, and balance.

Ethical Behavior
Behavior that is in accordance with accepted principles of right or good conduct in the context of a particular situation and is consistent with international norms of behavior (ISO 26000:2010, clause 2.7).

Interested Party
Individual, group, or organization affected by the performance of a certified person or the certification body (ISO/IEC 17024:2012, clause 3.21).

4. General Rules of this Policy

Violations of the Code of Ethics can come through different channels, such as complaints, appeals, or operational complaints. It’s essential to highlight that all these complaints/appeals will be handled according to the Complaint and Appeal Policy and the Complaint and Appeal Handling Process, which include the reception, assessment, investigation, and decision/solution on complaints/appeals.

5. Code of Ethics Evaluation and Final Decisions

Being compliant with this Code of Ethics is essential for all TNV professionals. In the internal procedures, the evaluation and continuous monitoring is embedded in performance evaluations done to TNV employees and related stakeholders, such as trainers, invigilators, examiners, and members of different committees.

Actions and Behavior Considered to Be a Violation of the Code of Ethics:
  • Presenting false information to stakeholders.
  • Not communicating findings or irregularities to appropriate stakeholders.
  • Not being transparent about limitations or constraints.
  • Not conducting thorough and meticulous activities to ensure accuracy.
  • Not maintaining professional objectivity throughout the service provision.
  • Acting at all times in their service provision solely in the best interest of their employer, clients, the public, and the profession in accordance with this Code of Ethics and other professional standards.
Actions and Behavior Considered to Be a Violation of the Code of Ethics:
  • Billing for additional work that is not needed.
  • Not disclosing potential risks.
  • Demonstrating and developing competence in their respective fields and striving to continually improve their skills and knowledge.
Actions and Behavior Considered to Be a Violation of the Code of Ethics:
  • Not providing truthful and accurate information about competence, e.g., when reporting work experience and continual development credits.
  • Providing services only for those that they are qualified and competent for and adequately informing clients and customers about the nature of proposed services, including any relevant concerns or risks.
Actions and Behavior Considered to Be a Violation of the Code of Ethics:
  • Offering and providing professional services for updated standards or regulations when the qualification and competency have not been obtained.
  • Offering professional services for a scope of work when the qualification and competency have not been obtained.
  • Informing their employer or client of any business interests or affiliations that might influence or impair their judgment.
Actions and Behavior Considered to Be a Violation of the Code of Ethics:
  • Not reporting a known conflict of interest, such as a financial or personal relationship with the employer or client.
  • A TNVCert trainer promoting their own TNVCert competitor business during a training session without TNVCert’s approval.
  • Preserving the confidentiality of information of any present or former employer or client during service provision.
Actions and Behavior Considered to Be a Violation of the Code of Ethics:
  • See more details in section 10 of the Code of Ethics, e.g., by providing comments or sharing confidential documentation with the intention to use them as a reference for a project with a new client or employer, without the other party’s consent.
  • Complying with all the applicable laws and regulations of the jurisdictions in the country where the service provisions were conducted.
Actions and Behavior Considered to Be a Violation of the Code of Ethics:
  • Not respecting the laws and regulations due to a lack of knowledge, e.g., when hired to do a mandate in a foreign country.
  • Respecting the intellectual property and contributions of others.
Actions and Behavior Considered to Be a Violation of the Code of Ethics:
  • Selling or supplying any TNVCert copyright content and proprietary mark, which copy or are derived from any materials provided by TNVCert, e.g., professionals rebranding TNVCert training material and selling it as their own.
  • Copying any of TNVCert’s copyright content and proprietary marks or creating derivative works from such materials, or the text of any website operated by TNVCert; professionals rebranding TNVCert website content and using it on their websites as their own.
  • Uploading TNVCert copyright content and proprietary marks on open platforms that share courses publicly, such as Scribd, CourseHero, etc.
  • Participating or promoting fraudulent test-taking practices, including using “brain dump” sites to upload TNVCert exams (partially or totally).
  • Not communicating intentionally false or falsified information that may compromise the integrity of the evaluation process of a candidate for a TNVCert certification or a TNVCert certificate program.
Actions and Behavior Considered to Be a Violation of the Code of Ethics:
  • Presenting false information in the certification application, e.g., false work experience, false references or references that are friends or relatives, false information about passing an exam, presenting false certificates or false attestations of course completion.
  • Not falsely or wrongly presenting themselves as TNVCert representatives without a proper license or misusing the TNVCert logo, certifications, or certificates.
Actions and Behavior Considered to Be a Violation of the Code of Ethics:
  • Falsely presenting themselves as a TNVCert professional, e.g., presenting themselves as a TNVCert trainer or partner and selling or delivering courses to candidates, providing exams, and issuing counterfeit TNVCert certificates.
  • Presenting outdated, non-valid, or altered professional certificates, e.g., for a tender or job application when the valid certificate has been downgraded, altering certificates by changing the issue date, certificate number, certification level, certification scope, etc.
  • Not acting in ways that could damage TNVCert’s reputation, certifications, or certificate programs.
Actions and Behavior Considered to Be a Violation of the Code of Ethics:
  • Acting in unethical behavior, such as in the examples below, but not limited to:
    • A TNVCert professional involved in altercations, harassment, badmouthing, discriminatory, or offensive behavior displayed towards someone because of their disability, gender identity, race, religion, or sexual orientation, including social media postings or public statements.
    • Posting on social media or making a public statement on behalf of TNVCert without contacting TNVCert and receiving approval before making the information public.
    • A partner falsely promoting a training to be delivered by a certain trainer when the course is not being delivered by this trainer.
    • Creating a new organization offering services like TNVCert or engaging with TNVCert clients on behalf of a competing organization without informing TNVCert in advance.
Actions and Behavior Considered to Be a Violation of the Code of Ethics:
  • Cooperating in a full manner on the inquiry following a claimed infringement of this Code of Ethics.
  • Falsifying the information/documentation presented in the investigation, e.g., contacting a trainer, a partner, or a candidate to ask them to provide false information.
  • Not providing requested information/documentation for the investigation or delaying the provision of the information/documentation.

6.2 Actions considered Non-Violation

Generally, the following actions and behaviors are not considered violations:

Professional Competence and Improvement

Enhancing personal or professional skills through further education, certifications, or personal development, even when it increases marketability or future employment opportunities outside TNVCert, is not considered a violation for professionals affiliated with TNVCert.

Independent Ventures Not in Direct Competition

Starting or engaging in businesses or ventures that are not in direct competition with TNVCert’s services or products and operate in distinct markets is permissible for TNVCert professionals. This also implies not using TNVCert's resources or client base for these independent ventures.

Constructive Feedback and Criticism

TNVCert professionals are encouraged to offer constructive criticism or feedback about the organization’s processes, policies, or decisions, including participating constructively in internal reviews, surveys, or meetings.

Personal Investments Unrelated to the Organization's Field

Making personal investments in industries unrelated to TNVCert's field and that do not present a conflict of interest or misuse the organization's resources is acceptable for TNVCert professionals.

Normal Course of Employment Changes

Seeking or accepting employment opportunities outside TNVCert transparently and without exploiting the organization’s resources or breaching contractual obligations like non-compete clauses is appropriate for TNVCert professionals.

Social Media or Public Statements

TNVCert professionals can express personal opinions on social media or in public forums, provided these views are clearly personal and not representative of TNVCert, and they do not disclose confidential information or negatively impact TNVCert.

Networking and Professional Associations

Participating in networking events or professional associations, even where competitors are present, is allowed for TNVCert professionals as long as they maintain confidentiality and the activities do not harm TNVCert’s interests.

Non-Competitive Collaborations

Collaborating on projects or initiatives with other organizations or individuals that do not compete with TNVCert's core business or compromise its strategic advantages is a suitable activity for TNVCert professionals.