IRMS Accreditation Code of Ethics
Introduction
All Accredited Members of the Information and Records Management Society will undertake to meet the requirements and expectations of this Code of Practice.
Members should raise any matter of concern of an ethical nature with their immediate or senior managers or, if this is not appropriate, with the Information and Records Management Society, even if it is not addressed in this ethics Code of Practice.
Accredited members will keep their knowledge current and maintain their competence in the field of Information and Records Management. They will keep abreast of developments in the Information and Records Management profession.
Main principles
Members shall always seek to uphold and enhance the standing of the Information and Records Management profession and the Information and Records Management Society, and to act correctly and professionally. To this end they will:
- Promote and support the development of Information and Records Management within their own organisation and within the profession as a whole.
- Maintain the highest standard of integrity in all business relationships, both inside and outside the organisations where they work.
- Reject any practice which might reasonably be deemed improper, never use their authority inappropriately and maintain the highest standards of behaviour.
- Seek to improve the proficiency and standing of the profession by acquiring, maintaining and improving their current information and records management knowledge through training, education and research.
- Foster the highest possible standards of professional competence amongst those for whom they work or are responsible.
- Optimise the use of resources or influence to provide the maximum benefit to their employing organisation.
- Comply with both the letter and the spirit of the law of this country or any country in which they practice.
- Act in an honourable, inclusive and ethical way towards their employers, clients and all others with whom their work is connected, in keeping with the highest professional standards.
- Treat colleagues and fellow members fairly and not attempt to discredit or injure the professional reputation, personal standing, or prospects of any others.
- Not knowingly compete unfairly with any others or claim credit for the work of others.
- Refer to or advise the use of other specialists if the employer's or client's interests would be better served by others.
- Not presume to be experts in fields other than their own, or accept professional obligations that they are not competent to discharge.
A breach of any of these ethical requirements and expectations may lead to the removal of accredited status.