Code of Ethics

Preamble

Consultants affect the quality of life for many people in our complex society. In the pursuit of their profession, therefore, it is vital that consultants conduct their work in an ethical manner so that they merit the confidence of colleagues, clients, and the public. This PATCA Code of Ethics is a standard of professional conduct for consultants.

Article I

Consultants shall maintain high standards of diligence, creativity, and productivity, and shall:

  1. Accept responsibility for their actions;
  2. Be honest and realistic in stating claims or estimates from available data;
  3. Undertake and accept responsibility for consulting tasks only when qualified by training or experience, or after full disclosure to their clients of pertinent qualifications;
  4. Maintain their professional skills at the state-of-the-art level, and recognize the importance of current events in their work;
  5. Advance the integrity and prestige of the consulting profession by practicing in a dignified manner and for compensation commensurate with their level of expertise.

Article II

Consultants shall, in their work:

  1. Treat all colleagues and co-workers fairly, regardless of race, religion, gender, age, or national origin;
  2. Report,publish, and freely disseminate information to others, in compliance with legal and proprietary restraints;
  3. Encourage colleagues and co-workers to act in accordance with this Code and support them when they do so;
  4. Seek, accept, and offer honest criticism of work, and properly credit the contributions of others;
  5. Support and participate in the activities of their professional societies;
  6. Assist colleagues and co-workers in their professional development.

Article III

Consultants shall, in their relations with employers and clients:

  1. Act as faithful agents or trustees for their clients in professional and business matters, provided such actions conform with other parts of this Code;
  2. Maintain confidentiality regarding a client’s business affairs or technical processes while retained and after completion of the consulting contract, until such information is properly released, provided such actions conform with other parts of this Code;
  3. Inform their clients, professional societies, or public clients or private agencies of which they are members or to which they may make presentations, of any circumstances that could lead to a conflict of interest;
  4. Neither give nor accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, payment or service of more than nominal value to or from those having business relationships with their clients;
  5. Assist and advise their clients in anticipating the possible consequences, direct and indirect, immediate or remote, of the projects, work, or plans of which they have knowledge.

Article IV

Consultants shall, in fulfilling their responsibilities to the community:

  1. Protect the safety, health and welfare of the public and speak out against abuses in these areas that affect the public interest;
  2. Contribute professional advice, as appropriate, to civic, charitable, or other non-profit organizations;
  3. Seek to extend public knowledge and appreciation of the consulting profession and its achievements.