This Code of Conduct and Ethics is effective July 1, 2017 (“Effective Date”).

 

Purpose and Application

 

Principia Assessments Ltd. (“Principia”), as its name suggests, is founded on fundamental principles. This Code of Conduct and Ethics (“Code”) is designed to help articulate and preserve these principles. The Code applies to Principia’s Directors, employees, and others who provide services on Principia’s behalf, referred to in this Code individually and collectively as “Principia personnel.”

 

Core Values

 

Principia’s core values reflect a clear vision for the organization and how it operates. These core values provide a roadmap for Principia’s growth and relationships; they are used to guide decision-making.

 

At Principia, we know that time, money, and energy are limited. We believe in investing these resources in what matters most. That is why we help professionals achieve their best through high-value, independent assessments. Principia specializes in tackling complex challenges in professional competence.

 

The values underlying this work echo the values we hold as an organization:

We value meaningful work. “What matters most” can mean different things to different people at different times. That said, when effort is expended, we believe the result should have significance and purpose, making a positive contribution to a greater good.

 

We value sustainability. Meaningful work demands time, money, and energy. To ensure lasting resources, we encourage efforts that improve efficiency, generate financial returns, and energize those performing the work.

 

We value engagement. Life is short. Work should be engaging, fulfilling, enjoyable, and…yes… even fun. We believe this is critical to “what matters most” and to long-term sustainability.

 

We value commitment to a vision. We assess “what matters most”. Once that vision is clear, we dedicate ourselves to it wholeheartedly. We believe commitment to a vision creates space for flexible and innovative action to achieve that vision in a sustainable and engaging way.

 

Principia’s core values form the foundation of this Code.

 

Standards of Conduct 

 

Principia insists on the highest ethical standards in conducting its operations. Principia personnel are expected to conduct themselves ethically, promote Principia’s mission and objectives, and act in accordance with all professional standards, governing laws, and Principia policies, as they apply to responsibilities and actions performed for, in relation to, or on behalf of Principia.

 

Conflicts of Interest

Principia personnel must disclose and avoid any activity that creates an actual or potential conflict of interest. A conflict of interest arises in any situation in which actions or loyalties are divided between Principia’s interests and the interests of Principia personnel.

 

For greater certainty, if Principia personnel make or participate in decisions as part of their professional duties, and they have any personal interest in the outcome of those decisions (e.g. because they or someone with whom they have a personal relationship stands to gain financially or otherwise as a result), they will be in a conflict of interest.

 

Whenever a conflict of interest exists, Principia takes steps to relieve the affected personnel of their duties in respect of the relevant activities to safeguard the interests of all parties.

 

Privacy and Confidentiality 

Principia personnel must respect the confidentiality of Principia’s information and the information of others with which Principia has been entrusted, and to protect the confidentiality of the personal information of Principia’s customers, volunteers, contractors, and employees. Additional obligations relating to confidentiality may be found in other agreements.

 

Protection of Resources 

Principia personnel must protect Principia’s resources, including its intellectual property. Hardware, software, internet access, email, voice mail, and other equipment and resources are provided for Principia’s use and Principia’s exclusive property. Principia personnel must not misuse Principia’s property or resources.

 

Respectful and Inclusive Working Environment 

Principia has a legal duty to provide a working environment that is civil, decent, and respectful. Principia is committed to meeting its legal obligations with respect to the protection of human rights. Beyond complying with legal requirements, Principia is committed to a healthy, positive, and engaged workplace environment in which all are treated with respect, in which equal opportunities are promoted, and in which personal and professional excellence is fostered.

 

Diversity and Equality 

Principia is committed to proactively creating an environment that promotes equal opportunities and where individual differences are welcomed and valued. Principia takes positive measures to ensure that terms, conditions, and opportunities for customers, volunteers, contractors, and employees reflect equality principles. Principia is committed to promoting a work environment that does not adversely affect individuals on various grounds including race, religious beliefs, colour, gender, physical disability, mental disability, age, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, sexual orientation, source of income, or family status.

 

Harassment 

Principia has a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of harassment in the workplace or any time Principia personnel are acting on behalf of Principia. Harassment consists broadly of comments or actions that could be viewed as offensive or unwelcome and which serve no legitimate work-related purpose. Discrimination, sexual harassment, personal harassment, violence, and retaliation are forms of workplace harassment.

 

Discrimination. Discrimination includes any treatment that has a discriminatory effect in respect of an individual’s race, religious beliefs, colour, gender, physical disability, mental disability, age, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, sexual orientation, source of income, or family status.

 

Sexual Harassment. Sexual harassment is any conduct, comment, gesture or contact of a sexual nature that someone would find to be unwanted or unwelcome, or that might, on reasonable grounds, be seen as placing a condition of sexual nature on employment or career development.

 

Personal Harassment. Personal harassment in the workplace includes conduct that a reasonable person would consider unwelcome, results in the recipient feeling intimidated, humiliated or embarrassed, creates a hostile work environment, and serves no legitimate workplace purpose.

 

Violence. Violence is the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, which results in (or could likely result in) injury, death, psychological harm, or deprivation.

 

Retaliation. Retaliation against someone for reporting a Code violation can also be harassment.

 

All forms of harassment are strictly prohibited.

 

Resolving Conflict 

Principia personnel are expected to manage work-related conflict in a positive way. Work-related conflict occurs for a variety of reasons, including differences in working or communication styles. While conflict can be healthy and productive, poorly-managed conflict can lead to an unhealthy and unproductive work environment. Often, early and open communication between the parties involved is an effective means of managing conflict. Ideally, Principia personnel manage conflict by discussing concerns directly with the individual involved, and/or by seeking support, coaching, or assistance. If these options are unsuccessful (or inappropriate), the person or persons affected may choose to request some form of mediation or, in cases involving harassment, a formal review.

 

Representing Principia 

Principia personnel should not speak on behalf of Principia, except within the scope of their authority and assigned duties or responsibilities. Principia personnel may be contacted by outside sources requesting information about Principia matters. If the request relates to information outside the assigned duties of the person to whom the request is made, the question should be referred to an appropriate Principia representative to avoid disclosure of inaccurate, incomplete, confidential, or proprietary information. Principia personnel who speak or write publicly about Principia must ensure that they are acting in accordance with this Code.

 

Implementation 

All reports concerning violations of this Code will be investigated promptly. Anyone violating this Code will be subject to discipline up to and including termination.

 

Other conflicts between private interests of Principia personnel and their obligations to Principia that are not specifically addressed in this Code or in other Principia policies are dealt with according to the principles and intent of this Code. This Code is reviewed and evaluated from time to time and revised as necessary.

 

Contacting Principia

If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions about this Code, or if you believe there has been a violation of this Code, please contact Principia at info@knowprincipia.com.