Professional Ethics in Construction and Engineering

Appendix I RICS Regulations and Guidance Notes

9.1 The Global Professional and Ethical Standards

There are five standards. All members must be able to demonstrate that they:

Act with integrity

• This means being honest and straightforward in all that you do.
• This standard includes, but is not limited to the following behaviours or actions:
  • – Being trustworthy in all that you do.
  • – Being open and transparent in the way you work. Sharing appropriate and necessary information with your clients and/or others to conduct business and doing so in a way so they can understand that information.
  • – Respecting confidential information of your clients and potential clients. Don’t divulge information to others unless it is appropriate to do so.
  • – Not taking advantage of a client, a colleague, a third party or anyone to whom you owe a duty of care.
  • – Not allowing bias, conflict of interest or the undue influence of others to override your professional or business judgements and obligations.
  • – Making clear to all interested parties where a conflict of interest, or even a potential conflict of interest, arises between you or your employer and your client.
  • – Not offering or accepting gifts, hospitality or services, which might suggest an improper obligation.
  • – Acting consistently in the public interest when it comes to making decisions or providing advice.
• Some of the key questions that you could ask yourself include: o What would an independent person think of my actions?
  • – Would I be happy ...