IGC : Our Code of Ethics

Professional Code of Ethics

The Professional Code of Ethics of the International Guild of Coaches (I.G.C.) broadly defines the conduct that all staff and members of International Guild of Coaches are expected to abide by. It also articulates the core principles and values of the I.G.C. and provides a guide for responsible practice for Life Coaches and Holistic Practitioners.

Any deliberate breaches of this code will result in the offender's expulsion from membership of the I.G.C. and withdrawal from the I.G.C. website. All breaches or complaints will be investigated as per the complaints procedure and the person will be notified with the right of reply before the membership is withdrawn.

Central to these ethics of are the additional principles of:

Integrity
Trust
Respect
Compassion

All concerned therefore agree to:

Conduct themselves in all their dealings in a manner consistent with recognised values of personal and professional integrity.
Represent themselves honestly with regard to qualifications and level of training achieved.
Abide by the Privacy Act (1993) by never divulging client information without their permission.
Treat all clients and business contacts with due courteousness and professional respect.
Refrain from any coarse, offensive or obscene language or gestures when conducting business.
Maintain appropriate sexual boundaries. Sexual harassment and any behaviours or comments which may reasonably be interpreted as being sexually demeaning or as a sexual advance, are unethical.
Never solicit or enter into any type of intimate relationship with a client while the coaching relationship is in place.
Refrain from promising results or outcomes that cannot be demonstrated within the legitimate bounds of their coaching work.
Avoid coaching minors or those of impaired intellectual ability without the express permission of parents or appropriate guardians.
Refrain from offering any professional information that has not been verified or that breaches the rights of others; e.g. confidentiality.
Refer clients to other specialist services (therapy, counselling, legal advice, etc.) if they would be better served by those services.
Never steal or poach clients from another coach or holistic practitioner.
Refrain from making derogatory remarks about other styles of coaching or other related professions; e.g. counselling. (This does not stop the associate or coach from making valid comparisons with other disciplines in order to clarify the nature of the service being offered.)
Always represent coaching and holistic practices in a way that is faithful to the spirit and practice of holistic coaching, and does not confuse it with other disciplines.
Agree to have their work monitored if there are any serious concerns raised about their professionalism or level of expertise.
Enter into commercial relationships that are fair, legal and respect the rights and integrity of all concerned.
Keep premises and office space clean and tidy to accepted professional standards.
Ensure that all advertising or promotional material is honest and does not make false or deliberately misleading statements.
Refrain from using the work or programmes of others without obtaining permission from the appropriate person or professional body.
Where possible and relevant, acknowledge any work that is borrowed from others.
Abide by the laws of the land concerning all issues of copyright, intellectual property, trademarks and commercial contracts and agreements.
Be honest in their dealings with other businesses and agencies; e.g. Inland Revenue Department, other professionals.

This code of ethics has been put in place for the safety and protection of all concerned in your coaching or holistic practice. The various points listed are quite standard for all professionals regardless of their particular profession.

The International Guild of Coaches are committed to helping Life Coaching and holistic practitioners to become a fully acknowledged profession in society, and therefore expect all members to present themselves in that way.