Ethics, rules of conduct and professionalism Flashcards
- How do the RICS ensure the standards of professional conduct are upheld?
- The RICS has rules of conduct effective February 2022
- The rules apply to all members and firms regulated by the RICS
- The rules of conduct are based on ethical principals of
o honesty,
o integrity,
o competence
o service
o respect
o responsibility
o Harsh, Inexperienced, Customers, Seek, Repetitive, Robots
- Please list the rules of conduct?
- Members and firms must be honest and act with integrity and must comply with their professional obligations including those to the RICS
- Members and firms must maintain their professional competence and ensure that services are provided by competent individuals who have the necessary expertise
- Members must provide a good quality and diligent service
- Members and firms must treat others with respect and encourage diversity and inclusion
- Members and firms must act in the public interest, take responsibility for their actions and act to prevent harm and maintain public confidence in the profession.
- Can you provide 5 example behaviours that comply with rule 1?
- M & F do not mislead other by their actions or omissions, or by being complicit in the actions or omissions of others
- Firms have effective processes to identify actual and potential conflicts of interest, to enable appropriate decisions to be made whether to accept work and keep records of decisions made about actual and potential conflicts of interest.
- M & F are open and transparent with clients about their fees and services
- Members and firms do not take unfair advantage of others
- M & F do not facilitate any financial crime including money laundering, tax evasion, bribery or corruption. Firm have effective processes to prevent directors, partners or employees from doing so.
- Can you provide 5 example behaviours that comply with rule 2?
- Members must only undertake work they have the knowledge, skills and resources to carry out competently.
- M & F supervise any employees undertaking work for them and ensure that these employees have the necessary knowledge, skills and resources to do their tasks competently.
- M & F reflect on the work they have undertaken and its impacts and consider how they might apply what they have learned to their future work.
- Members maintain and develop their knowledge and skills throughout their careers. They identify development needs, plan and undertake CPD activities to address them and are able to demonstrate they have done so.
- M & F stay up to date and comply with relevant legislation, codes of practice and other professional and relevant technical standards. Firms ensure their director, partners and employees do so.
- Can you provide 5 example behaviours that comply with rule 3?
- M & F must understand clients needs and objectives before accepting any professional work.
- M & F agree with clients scope of service to be provided and its limitations and timescales for the work.
- M & F communicate with clients and others clearly and in a way, they can understand
- M & F understand the risks and benefits of using relevant technology
- Firms have effective quality assurance processes for their work
- Can you provide 5 example behaviours that comply with rule 4?
- M & F respect the rights of others and treat others with courtesy
- M & F do not bully, victimise or harass anyone
- Firms check their supply chains do not involve modern slavery or other abuses of the workforce
- M & F work co-operatively with others
- M & F develop an inclusive culture in their workplaces, support equal access and opportunity for all and identify and address unconscious bias
- Please can you list the core professional obligations for members and firms detailed in rules of conduct appendix A?
The following professional obligations to RICS are mandatory for RICS members:
1. Members must comply with CPD requirements set by the RICS
2. Must cooperate with the RICS
3. Members must promptly provide all information reasonably requested by the Standards and Regulation Board or those exercising delegated authority on its behalf
The following professional obligations to RICS are mandatory for RICS regulated firms:
1. Firms must publish a complaints-handling procedure, which includes an ADR provider approved by RICS, and maintain a complaints log.
2. Firms must ensure that all previous and current professional work is covered by adequate and appropriate professional indemnity cover that meets the standards approved by the RICS
3. Firms with a sole principle must take appropriate arrangements for their professional work to continue in the event of their incapacity, death, absence from or inability to work
4. Firms must cooperate with the RICS
5. Firms must promptly provide all information reasonably requested by the Standards and Regulation Board or those exercising delegated authority on its behalf
6. Firms must display on the business literature, in accordance with RICS published policy on designation, a designation to denote that they are regulated by RICS.
7. Firms must report to the RICS any matter that they are required to report under the Rules for the Registration for Firms
What is Rule of Conduct 1?
Members and firms must be honest and act with integrity and must comply with their professional obligations including those to the RICS
- M & F do not mislead other by their actions or omissions, or by being complicit in the actions or omissions of others
- Firms have effective processes to identify actual and potential conflicts of interest, to enable appropriate decisions to be made whether to accept work and keep records of decisions made about actual and potential conflicts of interest.
What is Rule of Conduct 2?
Members and firms must maintain their professional competence and ensure that services are provided by competent individuals who have the necessary expertise
- Members must only undertake work they have the knowledge, skills and resources to carry out competently.
- M & F reflect on the work they have undertaken and its impacts and consider how they might apply what they have learned to their future work.
What is Rule of Conduct 3?
Members must provide a good quality and diligent service
- M & F must understand clients needs and objectives before accepting any professional work.
- Firms have effective quality assurance processes for their work
What is Rule of Conduct 4?
Members and firms must treat others with respect and encourage diversity and inclusion
- M & F respect the rights of others and treat others with courtesy.
- M & F work co-operatively with others
What is Rule of Conduct 5?
Members and firms must act in the public interest , take responsibility for their actions and act to prevent harm and maintain confidence in the profession
Support people who raise concerns in good faith
Respond to complaints promptly openly and professionally
- Can you explain how you act with integrity?
- Being trustworthy in all that I do
- Being open and transparent in the way that I work
- Respecting confidential information
- Not taking advantage
- Not allowing bias, conflict of interest or the undue influence of others override my decision
- Not offering or accepting gifts, hospitality or services which might suggest an improper obligation.
- Why must you act within your capabilities and competencies?
Because in the RICS rules of conduct, rule number 2 states that Members must only undertake work that they have the knowledge skills and resources to carry out. Undertaking work that I am not capable of may lead to a complaint or a claim for negligence.
- Can you explain how you take responsibility?
o Be accountable for my actions
o Act will skill, care and diligence
o Ensure a proper complaint handling procedure is in place in the event someone makes a complaint about me.
o If I think that something is not right that I will respectfully challenge and try to resolve the issue
