Code of Conduct

The Canadian Centre for Men and Families expects of all directors, employees and volunteers ethical, businesslike and lawful conduct.  This commitment includes behaviour consistent with the values of the organization and its underlying principles.

A. Overview

The Canadian Centre for Men and Families is a charitable organization registered with the Canada Revenue Agency with the following mission:

1. To advance education by providing classes, workshops, seminars and lectures on gender issues; and
2. To advance education by providing books, equipment, and educational aids to students; and
3. To advance education by maintaining a lending library of literary and multimedia resources accessible to the public; and
4. To advance education by conducting research in gender studies and making the results publicly available.
5. To promote health by providing the public with mental health and social services, including counselling, information and group support programs.
6. To address and prevent problems faced by families and youth by establishing, operating and maintaining residential facilities and accommodations for individuals and families affected by family violence.

The Canadian Centre for Men and Families’ mission, vision and values informs and establishes the foundations of its organizational principles and philosophy.

All CCMF personnel are obliged to sign this Code of Conduct, and must be familiar with and adhere to the provisions of this Code of Conduct as well as those of related policies referred to herein and as communicated by CCMF from time to time, which are integrated with this Code of Conduct.

B. Definitions

“client” means any individual or organization to whom a director, employee or volunteer extends service or interacts with in the course of his or her role on behalf of CCMF, and may include program participants, members, donors, and supporters.

“CCMF Community” means any and all clients, personnel, members, directors, donors, supporters and all those individuals and organizations who have a responsibility toward CCMF and an interest in its success.

“employee” includes any consultant, worker supplied by an agency, part-time casual worker, student or intern, and any other person (other than a volunteer) who is engaged in the operations of CCMF, but does not include employees or representatives of any partner agency or supplier of goods or services.

“volunteer” means any person who gives unpaid service to CCMF on a one off or regular basis; volunteer includes all directors 

“personnel” includes all “employees” and “volunteers”; personnel may also be referred to as “internal stakeholders”

“directors” refer to the CCMF “Board of Directors”

C. Procedural Details

1. Principles

Personnel are required to:

a) Uphold principles and values as adopted and communicated by CCMF, and promote and support the work of CCMF;

b) Respect all standards regarding the use of CCMF’s logo and identity and report any observed misuse of these following reporting procedures;

c) Respect and promote respect for CCMF;

d) At all times, while wearing official insignia or representing CCMF in any way, adopt a respectful attitude toward others.

e) Endeavour to maintain a public persona and conduct consistent with CCMF’s mission, vision, principles and values.

f) Endeavour to comply with all CCMF policies and procedures as issued and communicated by CCMF from time-to-time.

2. General Conduct

Personnel will:

a) At all times, act with honesty, integrity, diligence and transparency;

b) Contribute to a positive and healthy environment for all individual and collective members of CCMF’s Community, including interpersonal respect, appreciation of differences and respect for human dignity;

c) At all times, maintain a standard of conduct which is in keeping with the policies and procedures of CCMF and which is aimed at preventing harm and promoting education and freedom.

d) Discharge all duties with integrity, observe all instructions and directions from supervisors and strive towards attaining a high standard of responsibility and achievement; work collaboratively and cooperatively with all personnel;

e) Respect the confidentiality of personal and privileged information;

f) Abide by the laws of Canada, as well as those of the province, territory and country in which they reside and/or operate, and expect no support from CCMF if they willingly or recklessly contravene such laws;

g) Except with authorization, ensure that actions do not result in financial or other liability for CCMF;

h) At no time act or speak in a manner which may implicate CCMF as a non-peaceful or non-tolerant organization;

i) Ensure that all commitments are entered into in accordance with CCMF by-laws, policies and practices, including all appropriate consultations, tendering and approvals;

j) Administer with care the funds and supplies entrusted to them and account for such use of funds and supplies;

k) Not give out any information to media or other external parties, unless within the scope of duties or otherwise authorized to do so;

3. Client Relationships:

The relationship between personnel and clients requires personnel to understand their unique position of authority and perceived power. Personnel have a duty to ensure that vulnerable clients are treated with confidentiality, integrity, honesty, dignity and respect.

When providing programs and services, personnel are required to:

a) Treat clients in a manner that maintains dignity and respects their individual perspectives on matters of religion, sexual orientation or identity, culture, customs and habits; CCMF personnel are not obligated to support, affirm or disaffirm client perspectives but are obligated to respect the rights of others to hold these perspectives.

b) Provide service and assistance within the organization’s policies, procedures, directives and guidelines;

c) Understand the client’s vulnerability and dependency on personnel to provide assistance, education or training, and to act accordingly. This includes the recognition that personal relationships outside the scope of a professional relationship may not be in the best interests of either party or CCMF;

d) Provide assistance, education and training regardless of race, colour, national or ethnic origin, language, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, physical characteristics, philosophy, religion, political opinions or other ground of discrimination prohibited under applicable provincial, federal or international human rights law;

e) Respect the client’s privacy with respect to their personal information, image and property;

4. Breaches Regarded as Misconduct:

The following behaviour or actions are considered acts of misconduct:

a) Action or speech which is humiliating, neglectful, insubordinate, dishonest, threatening, degrading, bullying, exploitive, illegal, bigoted or prejudiced;

b) Sexual relationships or activity with vulnerable clients of CCMF and to whom a duty of service, education or training is provided or which are based on an unequal power relationship or with a counterpart who can confer benefit.

c) Intentional misuse of CCMF’s logo or identity;

d) Breach of applicable Canadian, foreign national or international law intended for the protection of children or other vulnerable persons;

e) Exercising any professional activity without valid certification(s);

f) Engaging in, or being associated with, any business or activity which is, or may be, detrimental to and/or destructively targeting of CCMF;

g) Disclosing without authorization, directly or indirectly, to any person or organization, the private affairs of CCMF including, but not limited to, trade secrets, supplier lists, or personal information of clients, volunteers or employees;

5. Reporting of Breaches:

a)  Personnel are obliged to contribute to an environment which prevents misconduct and promotes the implementation of appropriate behaviour as defined in this Code of Conduct.

b)  Where any personnel develop concerns regarding a potential breach by a colleague he/she is required to report such concerns to the President. If the President is suspected of involvement, the case should be brought to the Board of Directors.

c)  Personnel reporting a breach are encouraged to put their name to their reports. Anonymous allegations are much less credible, but they will be considered in light of the seriousness of the alleged breach.

d)  The President is required to investigate any alleged or reported breach of the Code of Conduct, complete a report stating the nature of the allegation, how they have dealt with it and any recommendations for changes within CCMF; this report will be submitted to the Board of Directors.

e)  Any report which implicates the President will be the responsibility of the Board of Directors to investigate; any report which implicates a member or members of the Board of Directors will be investigated in such a manner to exclude named individuals from influencing the investigation.

6. Fair Treatment

A reported concern will be handled fairly with respect to any individual named, taking into account the seriousness of the issue raised, the credibility of the information or allegations, and the prospects of an effective investigation.

7. Protection from Retaliation

No one shall be penalized, discharged, suspended, threatened, harassed, or discriminated against for communicating information about a suspected breach of the Code of Conduct. Any act of retaliation by any director, employee or volunteer of CCMF will be treated as misconduct.

All reports of incidents that are made maliciously, for personal gain, for any ulterior motive or otherwise not in good faith will also be treated as misconduct.

8. Confidentiality

All reported concerns will be treated as confidential to the fullest extent permitted by law. Persons are encouraged to give their names with any information they communicate, as this will usually assist in the investigation of the matter disclosed. However, consideration will also be given to information reported anonymously. Information communicated will be disclosed only to those persons who have a need to know in order to properly respond to the reported concern.

9. Fraud and Sexual Exploitation/Abuse or Any Form of Discrimination

Where misconduct involves a potential act or acts of fraud, sexual exploitation or abuse or any form of discrimination whatsoever, personnel have a duty to report the misconduct.

10. Off-Duty Conduct

Personnel may be seen as CCMF representatives at any time, even when off-duty. Off-duty activities which, in the absence of evidence demonstrating reasonable justification or motivation, adversely affect staff, volunteers or CCMF’s Community, or which, when seen through the eyes of a reasonable observer, discredit CCMF, are also breaches of the Code of Conduct.

11. Disciplinary Action

A breach of the Code of Conduct is subject to disciplinary or legal action in accordance with applicable policies and procedures as approved by the Board of Directors from time to time. The nature of disciplinary action will take into account harm to the individual, harm to CCMF and its reputation, and whether or not there was an unequal power relationship. Disciplinary action includes dismissal, where circumstances warrant.

12. Responsibilities

a) The President is responsible for advising CCMF’s Community as regards to the maintaining, monitoring, and revising of this policy.

b) Members of the Board of Directors are responsible for overseeing, applying and implementing this policy in each of their respective jurisdictions.

 

Code of Ethics

CCMF will conduct its business honestly and ethically wherever we operate in the world. We will constantly improve the quality of our services, products and operations and will create a reputation for honesty, fairness, respect, responsibility, integrity, trust and sound business judgment. Illegal or unethical conduct on the part of officers, directors, volunteer, employees or affiliates is never in the best interest of CCMF. CCMF will not compromise its principles for short-term advantage. The ethical performance of CCMF is the sum of the ethics of the men and women who volunteer here. Thus, we are all expected to adhere to high standards of personal integrity.

Officers, directors, volunteers and employees of CCMF must never permit their personal interests to conflict, or appear to conflict, with the interests of CCMF, its clients or affiliates. Officers, directors, volunteers and employees must be particularly careful to avoid representing CCMF in any transaction with others with whom there is any outside business affiliation or relationship. Officers, directors, volunteers and employees shall avoid using their CCMF contacts to advance their private business or personal interests at the expense of CCMF, its clients or affiliates.

Conflict of interest includes situations where a CCMF volunteer is also engaged in a volunteer relationship with another organization, including other non-profit or charitable organizations with related or overlapping mandates to CCMF. Where CCMF volunteers have multiple organizational relationships, they must put the interests of CCMF first while they are operating in their capacity as CCMF volunteers.

No bribes, kickbacks or other similar remuneration or consideration shall be given to any person or organization in order to attract or influence business activity. Officers, directors, volunteers and employees shall avoid gifts, gratuities, fees, bonuses or excessive entertainment, in order to attract or influence business activity.

Officers, directors, volunteers and employees of CCMF will often come into contact with, or have possession of, proprietary, confidential or business-sensitive information and must take appropriate steps to assure that such information is strictly safeguarded. This information – whether it is on behalf of CCMF or any of our clients or affiliates – could include strategic business plans, operating results, marketing strategies, client lists, personnel records, upcoming acquisitions and divestitures, new investments, and manufacturing costs, processes and methods. Proprietary, confidential and sensitive business information about CCMF, other companies, individuals and entities should be treated with sensitivity and discretion and only be disseminated on a need-to-know basis.

Officers, directors, volunteers and employees agree to disclose unethical, dishonest, fraudulent and illegal behavior, or the violation of company policies and procedures, directly to management.

Violation of this Code of Ethics can result in discipline, including possible termination of the volunteer relationship. The degree of discipline relates in part to whether there was a voluntary disclosure of any ethical violation and whether or not the violator cooperated in any subsequent investigation.

 

Work and Volunteer Rules

The Canadian Centre for Men and Families wants to encourage a safe and pleasant work-and-volunteer atmosphere that promotes satisfaction, respect, responsibility and value for all our employees, volunteers, clients and other stakeholders. 

This can only happen when everyone cooperates and commits to appropriate standards of behavior. Every employee and volunteer at CCMF has a shared responsibility toward improving the quality of the work and volunteer environment. 

By agreeing to work or volunteer at CCMF you have agreed to follow CCMF’s rules and to refrain from conduct which is detrimental to our goals. The prohibited conduct that is listed below is not an inclusive list. Moreover, CCMF does not limit its right to discipline or discharge employees or volunteers to the prohibited conduct listed below. Remember that, while we value our employees and volunteers, CCMF maintains the right to terminate its employees or volunteers at any time and for any reason, with or without notice.

The following is a list of behaviors that CCMF considers unacceptable. Any employee or volunteer found engaging in these behaviors will be subject to disciplinary actions including reprimand, warning, layoff, or dismissal:

1. Failure to be at the agreed-upon location, ready to volunteer or work, at the agreed-upon starting time.
2. Willfully damaging, destroying, or stealing property belonging to volunteers or employees or to CCMF.
3. Fighting or engaging in horseplay or disorderly conduct.
4. Insubordination, including but not limited to, refusal or failure to perform a requested or required job or volunteer task.
5. Ignoring duties or loafing during volunteering or working hours.
6. Coming to volunteer or work under the influence of alcohol or any drug, or possessing, using, selling, negotiating the sale of, or being under the influence of drugs, alcohol or other controlled substances while working or volunteering for CCMF.
7. Intentionally giving any false or misleading information to obtain employment or to enter a volunteer relationship.
8. Using threatening or abusive language toward a volunteer or employee.
9. Falsifying any record, including that of your work or volunteer hours, or those of another employee or volunteer, or falsifying other employment or volunteer- related documents including, but not limited to, personnel files, employment review documents, intra-company communication, communications with those outside the company, expense records, etc.
10. Smoking in CCMF premises
11. Willfully or habitually violating safety or health regulations.
12. Using CCMF equipment in an unauthorized manner, including unauthorized or excessive use of company property 
13. Possessing firearms, weapons or any other potentially hazardous or dangerous property, without prior authorization, while volunteer or working for CCMF or while on CCMF property.
14. Theft or destruction of CCMF property.
15. Disclosure of company trade secrets or any other confidential or proprietary information of the company, its customers or fellow employees.
16. Failure to follow, or general neglect of, safety rules and procedures.
17. Solicitation of fellow employees or volunteers on the CCMF premises.
18. Failure to keep your workplace in a neat and sanitary condition.
19. Use of obscene or otherwise inappropriate language or conduct.
20. Off-duty conduct which can affect CCMF’s credibility or reputation.
21. Gambling on CCMF premises.
22. Taking unauthorized gratuities in connection with CCMF business.
23. Lending keys to CCMF property to unauthorized persons or allowing duplicate keys to be made, without authorization.
24. Harassment of, or discrimination against, an employee, volunteer or client
25. Bad-mouthing or spreading rumors.

If you have any questions about your personal conduct or that of any fellow employee or volunteer, immediately consult your supervisor for clarification.

CCMF encourages a system of progressive discipline depending on the type of prohibited conduct. CCMF is not required to engage in progressive discipline and may discipline or terminate an employee or volunteer where he or she violates the rules of conduct, or where the quality or value of their work fails to meet expectations. 

As part of our progressive discipline system, and based on the nature of the employee or volunteer violation, management will attempt to provide the employee/volunteer first with a verbal warning, then one or more written warnings, and if the conduct is not sufficiently altered, eventual demotion, transfer, forced leave or termination. Your supervisor will make every effort possible to allow you to respond to any disciplinary action taken. Understand that CCMF is not obligated to follow any disciplinary or grievance procedure and that you may be disciplined or terminated without going through any procedure.

 

Signature and Title: __________________________

 

Date: ______________________________________