Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Practice Overview

Author:  Erica Blain, Director, Professional Standards, Registrar, CPHR Alberta

CPHR Alberta has outlined a rigorous Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Practice. 

These guidelines serve two purposes. The first is to offer HR professionals insight and understanding into what is expected of them in their roles. The Code guides members on how to handle issues related to competence, legal requirements, dignity, conflict, confidentiality and more. 

This Code also protects the public by ensuring HR professionals are acting in ways that are legal, ethical, confidential and balanced. The Code also helps employers feel confident about the designated professionals they employ, knowing that their HR employees have guidelines and standards to follow. 

Finally the Code of Ethics is the basis for CPHR Alberta’s Complaints and Discipline process. When members of the public encounter difficult situations with their HR professionals, they can review the Code of Ethics and the Standards of Professional Practice to see if these have been violated. If it seems that either the Code or Standards have been breached, the member of the public can then file a complaint with CPHR Alberta who will review the complaint and investigate the HR professional as needed, following up with disciplinary measures if the Code or Standards were indeed violated.

Whether you are an HR professional or an employee in Alberta, it is good to be aware of this Code of Ethics and what is considered a violation. To learn more, you can review our Code and Standards here.

To offer even more insight into the Code of Ethics, our Discipline Committee wrote a blog series this fall. You can read more about the Code in each of these posts to help you fully understand everything that is covered.

1. Getting to the Bottom of Complaints
2. Understanding the Code of Ethics: What you Need to Know
3. Understanding the Code of Ethics: Competence
4. Navigating the Legal Landscape 
5. Fostering Dignity in the Workplace
6. Balancing Organizational Needs and Employee Needs and Interests 
7. Upholding Confidentiality in the Workplace
8. Navigating Conflict of Interest in the HR Profession 
9. Professional Growth and Support Other Professionals

The Code of Ethics really acts as a source of assurance of the profession’s concern for the public it serves and the practice of HR within ethical principles, while the Standards of Professional Practice act as a guide to the profession and the conduct of its members.

The CPHR Alberta Discipline Committee exists to investigate complaints from the public to ensure that our Chartered Members are following the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Practice to which they have agreed.

If you wish to file a complaint against an HR Professional in Alberta, please visit our website here for more details.

The views and opinions expressed in this blog post belong solely to the original author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of CPHR Alberta.