The AFPI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct is fundamental to the values of the AFPI and essential to achieving its mission to lead the IT profession by promoting the highest standards of ethics, education, and professional excellence for the ultimate benefit of society.
Because ethical behavior is the foundation of trust, we provide in this document a Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct that lays out the expectations of ethical behavior of our members. This Code serves as a model for measuring the ethics of IT professionals, regardless of job function or cultural differences. All AFPI members commit to abide by the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. Violations may result in revocation of membership from the AFPI.
This Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct is built on a set of values that are shared by all its members. Those values define our commitment to the highest principles of professional conduct.
Our Values
Integrity
All members should always abide to the highest standards of integrity. Members should behave with honesty and with the highest moral principle at all time and under all circumstances. Members integrity applies to personal, professional and all their other responsibilities and engagements. Integrity includes and extends commitments to laws and regulations. Commercial ambitions should never be allowed to overtake professional and ethical responsibilities.
Professionalism
Our reputation is wholly dependent not only on the integrity of our members, but also on the quality of the services provided. This professionalism expectation is very simply stated — in the perceptions of both the public and clients, the services provided by the members should meet all applicable professional standards.
At all levels, acting in a way that exemplifies what we expect of each other. We do not allow prejudice, bias, including political or confessional bias, conflict of interest, or undue influence of others to override our objective professional or business judgments. There is no client or engagement that is more important than our responsibility to sustain public trust, our commitment to do the right thing, and to maintain our good reputation. We will always support our employees who stand up when they witness an illegal or inappropriate business activity.
Commitments
All members of the AFPI make the following commitments:
Complying with laws, regulations and standards
- We fully comply with all laws, regulations and professional standards that apply to us.
Working with the right clients and third parties
- We carefully evaluate prospective clients and third parties with whom we intend to work, including government entities. The factors assessed include assessing their integrity and the environment in which they operate.
- We will not work with clients, or enter into business relationships with third parties, who do not live up to our core ethical standards as exemplified by our Values.
Focusing on quality
- We are committed to delivering a high-quality service and following professional standards. We only accept engagements that we can perform consistent with our high-quality standards.
- We address challenging situations in the right way by applying professional ethics and consulting with experienced people to reach the right conclusions.
- We strive at all times to protect and enhance the reputation of IT professionals.
Not tolerating illegal or unethical acts
- We do not tolerate behavior within our companies, by clients or suppliers, or public officials with whom we deal, that is illegal, unethical or breaches human rights.
- We do not accept or offer bribes, or participate in corrupt practices, and have a zero tolerance for bribery and corruption in any form by any party.
Protecting information
- We protect clients’ confidential information and only use it for proper business purposes.
- We respect an individual’s privacy and the confidentiality of their personal data, and do not use personal information other than for the purposes for which it was obtained.
- We prohibit the use of information for insider trading.
- We keep assets and resources safe and use them only for appropriate business purposes.
- We respect the intellectual property of our clients, our competitors and third parties.
Competing fairly
- We promote our products and services honestly and compete fairly.
- We unequivocally support the goal of a free and competitive market.
Being responsible employers
- We are committed to providing a work environment free from harassment including sexual harassment.
- We are committed to equality and to a culture that is free from discrimination whether based on race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, political belief or religious belief.
- We treat everyone with respect and dignity.
- We value, celebrate and create an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.
- We value work/life balance.
- We maintain a just and fair approach to remuneration.
- We provide a safe and healthy work environment.
- We invest in our people’s professional development so that they can reach their full potential.
- We encourage our people to raise ethical and professional issues without fear of retaliation.
- We train our people to be objective, ethical and professional.
Being responsible corporate citizens
- We act as responsible corporate citizens, playing an active role in global initiatives relating to climate change, sustainability and international development.
- We encourage good corporate citizenship.
- We manage our environmental impacts so as to limit them.
- We work with other businesses, governments and charitable organizations to create stronger communities.
Building trust
- We know that the way we as professionals work is just as important as the work itself. It requires a relentless focus on quality, keeping public trust responsibilities at the forefront of everything we do, doing the right thing in the right way, every day.
- Setting the right ‘tone from the top’ is essential. There is importance in continually reinforcing a commitment as leaders and professionals to earn the public’s trust every day.
- Public trust is also built through engaging with a broad group of external stakeholders — from regulators, investors and clients, to local communities and other spokespeople for civil society. These discussions are sometimes challenging, but they bring different perspectives and new thinking on how our firms can continue to develop and meet the changing business landscape and societal expectations.
Being engaged to communities
- We have a responsibility to be a contributing corporate citizen in the communities in which our people work. We are committed to conducting our business activities in ways that honor ethical values and respect people, communities, and the natural environment. We will continue to work toward the sustainable improvement of life and business by:
- Rendering high-quality professional services with utmost integrity; and
- Providing a workplace that contributes to the professional growth, development, and personal success of people.
Being lawful to AFPI
- Having a general obligation of discretion and loyalty to the AFPI. Whether being physical persons or moral entities, members of the AFPI undertake not to speak publicly or to commit any action likely to harm the image and activities of the AFPI.
Compliance with the Code
All signatories are required to comply with this Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and to confirm their compliance with the Code.
The Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct reminds each of us how to behave regardless of the challenges we face as professionals in our local business environment.
Speaking up
If you or your employees see something they are uncomfortable about, they must be encouraged to speak up. This includes situations where they believe that colleagues are acting inappropriately or not in compliance with the Code.
Everyone in your company is responsible for reporting — and is required to report — any activity that could potentially be illegal or in violation of our Values, applicable laws, regulations or professional standards.
This includes situations when they know or suspect that colleagues, clients or parties associated with clients, or suppliers, subcontractors or associated third parties are engaged — or may be about to engage — in illegal or unethical activity.
It does not matter how large or small the matter is or who is involved. Individuals that report in good faith shall not suffer any detriment, regardless of whether or not the concern is ultimately substantiated. All members and their personnel are prohibited from retaliating against individuals who ‘raise their hand’ and speak up in good faith.
Retaliation is a serious violation of the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.