2022: The new Code of Conduct

Author: Rui Carvalho-Pais, Professional Conduct Manager

Date published

15 December 2021

The Institution of Structural Engineers The Institution of Structural Engineers
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2022: The new Code of Conduct

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Author

Rui Carvalho-Pais, Professional Conduct Manager

Date published

15 December 2021

Author

Rui Carvalho-Pais, Professional Conduct Manager

The Professional Conduct Committee has recently undertaken an in-depth review of the Code of Conduct. The new Code will be launched on the 1st of January 2022.

The Institution’s Code of Conduct sets a benchmark for members’ professional and ethical behaviour, providing an assurance to all that our members carry out their professional activities in accordance with the Institution’s values and principles. In addition, our members set and maintain the high reputation that the structural engineering profession holds in society by providing their services with professional excellence, integrity, fairness, care and courtesy; by communicating effectively to various audiences; and by exercising appropriate judgement in the performance of their role.

The Code of Conduct now includes explicit obligations towards safety, sustainability, climate change, and diversity & inclusion, demonstrating that members of the Institution undertake their professional duties with the upmost consideration for their client’s rights, and cognisant of the short-term and long-term impacts of their actions, taking measures to protect their client’s interests whilst considering, and respecting, life, law, the environment and public good. The additions include:

Guidance Note 7

Members should be aware of the impact their professional duties have on the environment and take proactive measures to operate in a sustainable manner. In doing so members should consider the effects of their design and the impact of that design on the environment by considering the whole life cycle of the building through design, construction, use, re-use and demolition such that it reduces unnecessary consumption of resources and minimises waste.

Guidance Note 9

Members should be aware of and have a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the performance of their professional duties. In doing so, members will engender a positive and supportive culture, free of bullying, harassment, victimisation, and unlawful discrimination and where respect for all colleagues and clients is upheld.

The new Code of Conduct will also guide Members to examples of "best practice" available elsewhere in the Institution's website, such as the Institution’s Business Practice Notes.

Members are, justifiably, held in high professional regard. Adherence to the values and principles, as defined by the Code of Conduct, sets members apart from those structural engineers who are not members of the Institution, providing an excellent endorsement of members’ ethical and professional conduct.

The new Code of Conduct will be published on 1 January 2022.

For further information contact [email protected] .

Code of conduct

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