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Company Code of Conduct

1. Introduction

The Worshipful Company of Communicators (the Company) welcomes members and guests from diverse backgrounds to participate in its activities. The Company prides itself on being open, welcoming and friendly to all who are committed to our values of:

  • Integrity

  • Trust

  • Fellowship

  • Inclusion

  • Diversity

The Company recognises the right of all staff, members and guests to be treated with respect and dignity within an environment of mutual respect and tolerance.

2. Scope

This Code of Conduct applies primarily to members of the Company, but extends to their guests and other invitees when participating in Company activities.

3. Conduct

This Code relates to conduct in both Company activities and in the professional practice of public relations and communication. Please see the appendix for definitions.

Company activities

We expect all our members to:

  • Uphold the values of the Company.

  • Act with dignity to advance the Company and its core purpose of fostering fellowship among members, contributing to society through charitable giving and promoting the communications profession in the City and beyond.

  • Welcome and respect all people in Company activities, irrespective of differences in age, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion or belief, disability, employment or professional seniority.

  • Act as ambassadors of the Company and endeavour for us to be associated with friendship and openness.

  • Demonstrate respect in all Company activities. Clear examples of breaches are listed below, however, there may also be less obvious incidents which result in hurt and damage.

    • bullying or harassment of others

    • causing a nuisance or disturbance, including drunken behaviour

    • rudeness

    • belittling a person’s appearance or occupation

    • showing a lack of respect for property, including trespassing

    • offensive or inappropriate language or behaviour, including racist language

    • use of illegal substances

  • Address directly any behaviours that transgress these values and/or escalate the issue through a process open to all as determined by the Court.

  • Be in ‘good standing’ with the Company i.e. to have their quarterage and fines paid up to date, especially if seeking election to the Court and not transgressed the provisions of the Company Ordinances Clause 5.6 and of this Code of Conduct; for Wardens and Court Assistants in addition to have honoured their attendance requirements and paid the annual contribution.

Professional Practice

We expect all members to:

  • Uphold the standards and codes of any professional bodies to which they belong.

  • Maintain the highest possible standards through honesty, fairness and respect.

  • Act with the public interest at heart.

  • Obey applicable laws, policies and protect confidential information.

  • Act in an ethical manner, not representing conflicting interests and not accepting undisclosed gifts or payments that may have, or be perceived to have, an influence over decision-making.

  • Do not guarantee results that are beyond your power to deliver.

4. Action

If a member engages in any behaviour or activity which amounts to a breach of this Code of Conduct, we may (as appropriate):

  • Suspend their membership or participation in the Company and/or its activities (either on a temporary or permanent basis);

  • terminate the membership; and/or

  • notify the relevant authorities which could include legal or law enforcement.

Any decision regarding appropriate action will be entirely at the discretion of the Company, per its Ordinances and Standing Orders. In all cases, the Court of Assistants will rule on the breach of the Code of Conduct and make the final decision regarding sanctions. Voting will be anonymous. A majority decision is final. In the event of a tie, the Master shall cast the deciding vote.

In such circumstances, the Company shall not be liable:

  • to provide a refund or reduction for any payments made by or on behalf of the member; and/or

  • for any other loss (including consequential loss), damage, costs or liability suffered or incurred as a result of any action taken by the Company.

5. Reporting

If any individual or group of individuals (member or non-member of the Company) believes a Company member is in breach of our Code of Conduct or they have experienced behaviours contrary to this Code , the following process applies:

  1. Initial contact is made with the Company and will include the nature of the breach of the Code of Conduct as well as an indication of the evidence to support the claim.

  2. Initial contact should be directed to the Clerk and the Master. However, where it is not appropriate to make contact with the Clerk or the Master, initial contact can be made with any other member of the Court Leadership Team (CLT).

Note that should at least 20 members of the Company report a complaint, an automatic investigation will be triggered (see process below).

6. Investigation

To the extent that this is possible, all complaints will be dealt with anonymously. In the first instance, the Clerk, Master or the member of the CLT will anonymise the complaint and prepare a summary of the report/complaint.

Based on the anonymised summary, the CLT will determine an outline for the investigation of the complaint. The aim of the investigation is to assemble the facts and representations from both sides of the report/complaint. The Master will propose who shall conduct the investigation, which shall be subject to a majority vote of the CLT.

The results of the investigation will be presented to the CLT, who will then determine if any further action is required. In the event that the CLT agrees the matter can be resolved with no further input, it will prepare a summary to be presented at the next Court meeting. In the event that the CLT determines sanctions should be enforced, it will raise the matter at the next Court meeting. In the event that the CLT cannot agree resolution of the report/complaint, the investigation summary will be presented to the Court for discussion and resolution.

7. Representations

Per the Company’s Ordinances and Standing Orders, any individual who is subject to a complaint against their Conduct will be informed of the proceedings, and has the right be make representations to the Court of Assistants or a Committee thereof.

8. Conflict of Interest

At all times, members of the CLT and wider Court will declare any conflict of interest, whether through personal relationship, professional connections or business relationship.

Court members will self-select whether they can participate in the process. Where this is deemed inconclusive by the majority of the Court, the Court will vote on whether an individual Court member can participate, with a majority vote carrying the decision.

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