ETHICAL CONDUCT REVIEW (“ECR”) PROCESSINTRODUCTION The International Coach Federation ("ICF") is committed to high ethical standards for coaches. The ICF has developed a Code of Ethics (“Code”), which includes a Philosophy and Definition of Coaching, Standards of Ethical Conduct, and a Pledge by which all ICF members and ICF credentialed coaches make a commitment to uphold the Code. The purpose of the Code is to promote professional and ethical coaching practices, and to raise the awareness of people outside the profession about the integrity, commitment and ethical conduct of ICF members and ICF credentialed coaches. The ICF is also committed to providing a forum where the public can bring complaints about alleged unethical conduct by ICF members and ICF credentialed coaches. The ICF adopted a policy and set of procedures that provide for review, investigation and response to alleged unethical practices or behavior deviating from the established ICF Code of Ethics. To effect this policy, ICF has implemented an Ethical Conduct Review process, which is intended to:
SUMMARY OF THE ECR PROCESS The first step in the ECR process is the filing of a complaint. The ECR process applies to complaints directed to the ICF about coaches who, by virtue of their ICF membership or ICF credential and pledge, have agreed to participate in the process. A complaint will be reviewed to determine if it states a possible breach of the Code. The process includes provisions for investigation of the complaint by the ICF, in which both the coach and the person with the complaint may provide information. The ECR process also includes provisions for a hearing, if the coach requests one, so the matter may be fully presented to a hearing panel for consideration. The hearing panel will review information from both the person with the complaint and the coach in order to determine whether a breach of the Code has occurred. As a result of that determination, a recommendation for corrective action may also be made, which may include remedies (such as additional education, working with a mentor coach, community service or a written reprimand) or sanctions (such as removal from or denial of membership or credentialing), if warranted by the circumstances. The ECR process provides for an appeal process with final review prior to imposition of any remedies or sanctions. At all times in the process, the parties are encouraged to work out their differences, work on the issues involved, and to learn from the situation. If you believe that you have an ethical complaint against an ICF member or ICF credentialed coach, we invite you to print the complaint form and instructions from the ICF website. Should you have any questions printing or completing the complaint form, please call or email the ICF office to the attention of: Magdalena N. Mook |
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