Code of Conduct

1.Preamble

This Code applies to every member of the American Computer Society, regardless of grade, and to the designated representatives of Organization Members insofar as they act in a professional computing capacity.

Membership of the Society is conditioned upon acceptance of this Code. Breach of any clause may result in disciplinary action under the Charter and the Complaints and Disciplinary Procedure.

2.Public interest

1. 2.1Members shall have due regard for public health, privacy, security and the wellbeing of others and the environment in the course of their professional activities.
2. 2.2Members shall have due regard for the legitimate rights of third parties, including data subjects and the users of systems they design, build or operate.
3. 2.3Members shall conduct their professional activities without discrimination on the basis of race, sex, disability, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.
4. 2.4Members shall promote equal access to the benefits of computing technology and shall not knowingly withhold information necessary for informed decision-making by the public or by those affected by their work.
5. 2.5Members shall reject bribery, corruption or inducements that could compromise professional judgment exercised in the public interest.

3.Professional competence and integrity

1. 3.1Members shall only undertake work they are competent to perform, and shall not claim competence they do not possess.
2. 3.2Members shall maintain their professional knowledge and skills consistent with developments in the field and the requirements of their role.
3. 3.3Members shall ensure their professional judgment is not compromised by conflicts of interest, and shall disclose such conflicts to relevant parties promptly.
4. 3.4Members shall accept professional responsibility for their work and for the reasonable supervision of work delegated to others under their direction.
5. 3.5Members shall represent their qualifications, experience and the capabilities of their products or services accurately, and shall not misrepresent their level of responsibility in past projects.
6. 3.6Members shall exercise reasonable care to avoid injury to persons, damage to property, or damage to the environment resulting from their professional activities.

4.Duty to relevant authority

1. 4.1"Relevant authority" means the employer, client or engaging organization to which a member owes a contractual or fiduciary professional duty in a given engagement.
2. 4.2Members shall carry out professional responsibilities with due care and diligence in accordance with the requirements of the relevant authority, insofar as those requirements are not inconsistent with the public interest and this Code.
3. 4.3Members shall not disclose or authorize disclosure of confidential information except with proper authorization, where legally required, or where necessary to prevent serious harm to the public.
4. 4.4Members shall avoid situations that create a real or perceived conflict between their own interests and the interests of the relevant authority, and shall disclose any such conflict without delay.
5. 4.5Members shall not misrepresent, or permit misrepresentation on their behalf, of the extent to which a product, system or service meets client or employer requirements or applicable standards.
6. 4.6Where a member believes that instructions from a relevant authority would require them to breach this Code, they shall raise their concerns through appropriate channels and, if the matter is unresolved, may decline to proceed without breach of this Code.

5.Duty to the profession

1. 5.1Members shall uphold the reputation and standing of the computing profession and shall not engage in conduct likely to bring the profession or the Society into disrepute.
2. 5.2Members shall act with fairness and honesty toward colleagues, competitors, employees and members of the public in all professional dealings.
3. 5.3Members shall encourage and support fellow professionals in their development and shall not obstruct the professional growth of others without justified cause.
4. 5.4Members shall respect and, where relevant, contribute to the maintenance of professional standards, certifications and continuing education requirements established by the Society.
5. 5.5Members shall report to the Society, in good faith and through proper channels, conduct by other members that they reasonably believe constitutes a serious breach of this Code.
6. 5.6Members shall not misuse their membership, grade or post-nominal designation to misrepresent their authority, qualifications or the endorsement of the Society.

6.Enforcement

1. 6.1Alleged breaches of this Code are referred to the bodies established under the Complaints and Disciplinary Procedure.
2. 6.2Complaints are investigated impartially; the member is afforded notice and an opportunity to be heard, and outcomes may range from counseling and a formal warning to censure, suspension or expulsion from membership.
3. 6.3Sanctions are reported to the Board of Trustees, and a member subject to a sanction retains a right of appeal as set out in the Charter and Bylaws.
4. 6.4The Society may make findings of serious misconduct known to relevant employers, licensing bodies or the public where necessary to protect the public interest, subject to due process having been completed.
5. 6.5This Code is reviewed by the Board not less than once every three years to ensure it reflects current professional and technological standards.