Code of Ethics
Our goal is to bring coaching, mentoring, and supervision standards to an excellence level, as well as to contribute to the dissemination of these practices for the benefit of society as a whole.
As an association and as members, in our activities we observe the Global Code of Ethics signed by the main associations worldwide.
On this page, we provide the translation into Italian.
The original version is available at this link: Global Code of Ethics
Introduction and purpose
All the organizations (hereinafter referred to as “the associations“) mentioned in section 5, in their capacity as co-signatories of this Code of Ethics (hereinafter referred to as “the Code”), agree on the following:
As co-signatories, we commit to maintaining and promoting excellent practices and ethical principles in coaching, mentoring, and supervision, a growing professional field supported by digital technologies, including data science and artificial intelligence (AI).
All our associates, in their roles as coaches, mentors, supervisors, trainers, and providers of training services, by virtue of their association membership, agree to adhere to the elements and principles of this Code of Ethics.
The Code is in line with the content and requirements set out in the Professional Charter for Coaching and Mentoring.
The Charter, drawn up in accordance with European legislation, is deposited with the European Union registry that lists the self-regulation initiatives in Europe.
The Code is intended as a guideline document rather than a legally binding document, which specifies in detail what a member can and cannot do. The Code lays the foundation for best practices in coaching, mentoring, and supervision by promoting the development of professional excellence. Its purpose is to:
- To outline the guidelines, responsibilities, and appropriate standards of conduct for all our associates.
- Define what actions and behaviors we expect from our associates when they work with coachees, mentees, supervisees (referred to as “clients”) and when they interact with other fellow practitioners, sponsors, stakeholders, and other professionals.
- Driving the development and growth of our members in the profession, along with the skills required by professional bodies.
- Offering guidance to those who do not consider themselves professional coaches, mentors, or supervisors, even though they use coaching, mentoring, or supervision skills in their work.
- To be used as the basis for any complaints or disciplinary hearings and actions within the complaint procedures of the respective entities. .
The Code of Ethics
The Code is divided into five sections and concerns the general expectations of the Entities regarding the behavior and professional conduct of their associates, as well as the list of all the associations that have adhered to this Code of Ethics:
- Terminology
- I work with clients
- Professional conduct
- Excellent practice
- Signatories of the Global Code of Ethics
1. Terminology
- For reasons of brevity, this Code refers, where appropriate, to:
- coachees, mentees, supervisees and students as “clients”.
- Coaches, mentors, supervisors and trainers/providers of training services as “associate practitioners” or “associates”.
- Coaching, mentoring and supervision work as “professional work”.
- Coaching, mentoring and supervision as a “profession”.
- The signatories of this Code recognize that the terms “profession” and “professional” are used for activities that are not subject to legal regulation, but are increasingly professionalized and self-regulated.
- The signatories of this Code acknowledge that the titles of “coach”, “mentor” and “supervisor” are not protected and may be used by anyone in the field of practice, whether associated with an organization or not.
- Each signatory Association will define exactly which of its members and other interested parties are required to comply with this Code (collectively referred to as “members”).
- For a proper understanding of this Code, associates should be aware of the definitions of their professional category and the specific terminology used for key terms such as coach, coaching, client, member, mentor, mentoring, sponsor, supervisor, supervision, training, and technology.
2. Working with clients
Context
2.1 During professional activity with clients, in any capacity, associates shall conduct themselves in accordance with this Code, committing themselves to providing the level of service that can be reasonably expected from an associate.
Contract management
2.2 Before starting to work with a client, associates will make this Code available and explain and make explicit their commitment to abide by this Code. Associates will inform their clients and sponsors of the complaint procedures to be pursued with the relevant association.
2.3 Before starting work with a client, associates will explain and seek to ensure that the client and the sponsor are fully aware of and understand the nature, terms, and conditions of the coaching, mentoring, or supervision contract, including financial, logistical, and confidentiality agreements.
2.4 Associates will use their knowledge and professional experience to understand the expectations of their clients and sponsors and reach an agreement on how they intend to meet them. Associates will also seek to consider the needs and expectations of other interested parties.
2.5 Associates will be open and transparent about the methods they use and willing to share information with clients and sponsors regarding the processes and standards used.
2.6 The associates will ensure that the duration of the contract is appropriate to achieve the goals of the client and the sponsor and will actively work to promote the client’s independence, autonomy, and sense of responsibility.
2.7 Associates will ensure that the context in which coaching, mentoring, supervision, or training activities take place offers optimal conditions for learning and reflection, so as to increase the likelihood of achieving the objectives set out in
2.8 Associates should be guided by the interests of their client and at the same time increase awareness and responsibility to ensure that these interests do not harm those of sponsors, stakeholders, the company as a whole, or the natural environment.
Integrity
2.9 Associates will be appropriately qualified to work with the selected client group and will honestly represent their experience, professional qualifications, membership affiliations, and qualifications to clients, sponsors, stakeholders, and fellow professionals.
2.10 In communicating with any party, associates shall accurately represent the value they provide as coaches, mentors, or supervisors.
2.11 Affiliates will ensure that no false or misleading statement, or implication thereof, regarding their professional competence and qualifications is made in any published, promotional or other material. Affiliates will attribute the ownership of the work, ideas, and material of others to the authors and will not claim it as their own.
2.12 Associates shall disclose any conflict of interest, act in compliance with applicable legislation, and shall not encourage, assist, or collude in any way with any dishonest, illegal, unprofessional, unfair, or discriminatory conduct.
Confidentiality
2.13 During the work with clients, associates shall maintain the strictest level of confidentiality regarding all information concerning clients and sponsors, except as provided by law.
2.14 The associates will promote a clear agreement on confidentiality with clients and sponsors regarding the circumstances in which it cannot be maintained (for example, illegal activities, danger to themselves or others). The associates will reach an agreement on this limit of confidentiality, where possible, unless the release of the information is already required by law.
2.15 The associates shall collect, maintain and use all data and records of their work with clients, including digital files and communications, in a manner that ensures confidentiality, security and privacy, in accordance with the legislation and relevant agreements in their client’s country regarding data protection and privacy.
2.16 Associates will inform clients that they are receiving supervision during which the client may be mentioned anonymously. The client should be assured that the supervision relationship is in itself confidential.
2.17 If the client is a child or an adult with vulnerabilities, the associates will agree with the sponsor or guardians of the client to ensure an adequate level of confidentiality in the best interest of the client, while respecting all applicable regulations and safeguarding practices.
Inappropriate interactions
2.18 Associates have the responsibility to establish and maintain clear, appropriate, culturally sensitive boundaries that govern all physical and virtual interactions with customers or sponsors.
2.19 Associates shall strictly avoid engaging in any affective or sexual relationship with clients or sponsors during the period of employment.
Conflict of interest
2.20 Associates shall not exploit the client or seek to obtain any inappropriate financial or non-financial advantage from the relationship, nor shall they use the client's personal, professional or other data without their consent.
2.21 To avoid any conflict of interest, associates shall clearly distinguish a professional relationship from other forms of relationship with the client.
2.22 Associates are aware of potential conflicts of interest, both commercial and personal, arising from the working relationship and, in the event, will address them promptly and effectively, in order to ensure that there is no harm to the client or the sponsor.
2.23 Associates will consider the impact of any relationship with customers on other customer relationships and discuss any potential conflict of interest with those who could be harmed.
2.24 The associates will make any conflict of interest explicit in an open and transparent manner with the client and, if it cannot be managed effectively, will agree on the termination of the professional relationship.
Conclusion of professional relationships and continued responsibility
2.25 The associates will respect the client’s right to terminate the engagement at any time during the process, as set forth in the coaching, mentoring, or supervision service agreement.
2.26 The associates will encourage the client or sponsor to terminate the coaching, mentoring or supervision assignment, if they believe that the client needs another more appropriate form of professional help.
2.27 The associates will accompany the clients to the conclusion of the service, including a plan for continuity of service if the associate is no longer in a position to complete the service for reasons independent of their will.
2.28 Associates are required to have arrangements in place for the transfer of current customers and their data in the event of the cessation of operations.
2.29 Associates are aware that their professional responsibilities continue beyond the conclusion of the relationship.
These include:
- maintenance of the confidentiality of all information related to customers and sponsors through careful and ethical management of confidential, personal or other data.
- Abstain from any improper use of the previous report that could harm the professionalism or integrity of the associate or the professional community.
- Availability to any assessment or action, following the conclusion, that has been agreed upon.
3. Professional conduct
Maintaining the reputation of the profession
3.1 Associates will behave in a way that enhances the profession and improves the reputation of professional service, ensuring that the use of technology is in line with professional standards.
3.2 Associates will demonstrate respect for the variety of practices used by associates and other individuals in the profession, and for all the different, ethically sound approaches of coaching, mentoring, and supervision, including the use of data technologies and artificial intelligence.
Acting in a responsible manner
3.3 Associates will respect the statements and policies of their respective associations regarding inclusion, diversity, social responsibility, and climate change.
3.4 Associates will avoid knowingly discriminating for any reason and will seek to improve their awareness of possible areas of discrimination and prejudice, including in the use of technology or inaccurate or false data.
3.5 Associates will be aware of potential unconscious biases and global injustices and will seek to ensure a respectful and inclusive approach that embraces and explores individual differences.
3.6 Associates will constructively challenge and support any colleague, employee, service provider, and customer who is perceived as discriminatory or unwilling to accept responsibility for their own behavior and actions.
3.7 Associates will pay attention to their spoken, written, and non-verbal communication to avoid implicit biases or discrimination.
3.8 The associates will engage in professional development activities that contribute to increasing self-awareness regarding issues such as inclusion, diversity, technology, as well as the latest developments in social and environmental issues.
Violations of professional conduct
3.9 Associates accept that any violation of the code, as confirmed in a complaint procedure, may result in sanctions, including the loss of accredited status and/or membership in the association.
3.10 A member shall have the right to seek clarification from another member if he has reasonable grounds to believe that the member is acting in an unethical manner, and, if necessary, will report the person in question to the association to which he/she belongs.
Obligations and duties of a nature legal and statutory
3.11 Associates are required to remain up-to-date and to comply with:
- all legal requirements that are relevant in the countries where they carry out their professional work.
- Legislation to protect children or adults with vulnerabilities in case they work with them.
- The internal rules and relevant organizational procedures of the work context.
3.12 The associates will take care to have appropriate professional indemnity insurance to protect their coaching, mentoring, and supervision work for the countries in which they operate and where such indemnity insurance is available.
4. Excellence in practice
Performance capabilities
4.1 Associates shall operate within the limits of their professional competence. Associates shall refer the client to a more experienced or appropriately qualified professional, where appropriate.
4.2 Associates will ensure that they are sufficiently fit and healthy to perform the activity. If they are not, or are unsure of their ability to perform the activity safely for health reasons, they will seek guidance or professional support.
Continued supervision
4.3 Associates will engage in supervision with an appropriately qualified/experienced supervisor and peer supervision, with a frequency level appropriate to their coaching, mentoring, or supervision practice, to the requirements of their professional association and to their level of qualification, and maintain a constant reflective practice.
4.4 Associates must ensure that any other relationship existing within the supervision, professional or personal, does not interfere with the quality of the supervision provided.
4.5 Associates will discuss any ethical dilemmas and potential, or actual, violations of this Code, including those arising from the use of AI and technology in general, with their supervisor or with the peer-reviewing group for support and guidance.
Continuous professional development
4.6 The associates will develop their level of competence in coaching and/or mentoring and the ability to supervise, by participating in appropriate, future-focused training and in ongoing professional development activities.
4.7 Associates contribute to the professional community based on their level of expertise. The forms this contribution can take include informal support for colleagues in their work, contribution to the advancement of the profession, research, the preparation of texts, etc.
4.8 Associates will systematically reflect on and assess the quality and relevance of their work and role through feedback from clients, sponsors, and stakeholders, and other activities of continuous professional development, to improve their practice.
5. Signatories of the Global Code of Ethics - for coaches, mentors and supervisors
The Global Code of Ethics presents a general ethical framework for the signatories. In this sense, it does not include complaint procedures nor describes all potential ethical issues.
The Global Code of Ethics indeed assigns the responsibility for governance to each signatory association to develop and implement specific policies and procedures that reflect the diversity of ethical nuances related to the diversity of practice and to local or specific contexts.
These specificities do not contradict the essence of the Code, nor do they impose an obligation on the other co-signatories to adopt them. These additions can be shared by the signatories as part of the ongoing collaboration exchanges between professional associations.
The signatories of the Global Code of Ethics will not be involved in any complaint concerning another signatory association. Any such complaint will be brought directly to that association.
For more details on each signatory of the code, including their membership, qualification levels, standards, governance, and complaint procedures, please visit the respective websites of the signatory entities.
The current signatories of the code are visible on the website. www.globalcodeofethics.org/signatories/
To learn how to become a signatory of the Global Code of Ethics, contact administrator@emccglobal.org
© GCoE 2016 Updated June 2021