psai

Menu
Menu

Code Of Ethics

CODE OF ETHICS

These Code of Ethics have been laid down by the Professional Speakers Association of India (PSAI) for the effective and efficient management of the association and the behaviour of its members within PSAI and outside PSAI in a manner that upholds the PSAI’s values – RESPECT, INTEGRITY, TRUST, EXCELLENCE, GLOBAL MINDSET, STEWARDSHIP, MUTUALITY, MENTORSHIP - in personal and professional spaces.

This Code of Ethics will apply to all PSAI members which also include members holding places of office at the national or chapter level, in their work as a professional speaker defined below:

Professional speaker is one who speaks professionally, delivers training, keynotes, workshops and seminars as a major part of his/her business.

PSAI expects from its members, that should an ethical issue arise during their membership, they shall cooperate with PSAI in dealing with it in accordance with these Code of Ethics.

Professional Conduct:

Membership to PSAI comes with the responsibility on the members to respect, adhere and practice PSAI’s values - – RESPECT, INTEGRITY, TRUST, EXCELLENCE, GLOBAL MINDSET, STEWARDSHIP, MUTUALITY, MENTORSHIP – and PSAI expects that its members shall act according to PSAI values at all times, whether they are representing PSAI, or referencing PSAI or when working in their speaking business

In the speaking profession many topics and opinions, many ideas, experiences and backgrounds, and skillsets come together. PSAI members will always value, respect each other’s contributions and work professionally, collectively and individually in the speaking community and otherwise also. PSAI members who are the brand ambassadors of PSAI will also ensure that they give due credit to other speakers, authors, researchers, thinkers and originator or the work, thought or idea that they use in their talks.

The Reputation of the Profession

The reputation of PSAI is no different from that of PSAI members. Both influence each other. Therefore, both PSAI and its members shall be mindful of protecting and upholding the reputation of each other. However, if any member is found guilty of misconduct under these Code of Ethics and action is taken against such a member, then such member will not hold PSAI responsible for tarnishing or damaging the member’s reputation.

Professional Requirements

Members shall always:

  • Take care that their speaking business meets the professional liability law of the country in which they are
    speaking or operating their speaking business from.
  • Comply with all relevant laws, regulations, and tax obligations in connection with their speaking business.
  • Hold the necessary licences and permissions to use images, music, video, and other content that they desire
    to use in their presentations.
  • Ensure that the terms of engagement have been mutually agreed upon with their clients and preferably a
    written contract or exchange of confirmation letters are in place before any work is undertaken. It is also to be clearly understood that in the event of any dispute between the member and the member’s client, PSAI
    will neither be responsible nor become a party to the dispute in any manner.
  • Act in accordance with this code.
  • Alert PSAI of any situation which the member feels might adversely affect the reputation of the PSAI, which
    the member cannot resolve. On receipt of such information, it will be PSAI’s prerogative to deal with the
    news as it deems fit. The informant shall not try to influence PSAI to decide or act in a particular way.
  • Adhere to the various procedures and systems that are put in place by PSAI at the national or chapter level
    for the smooth and improved working of PSAI. In case the member suffers any loss or is put in a
    disadvantageous position because of non-adherence to the procedures and systems, PSAI shall not be
    responsible.

Professional Conduct

Members will always conduct themselves professionally. They shall take into account the laws of the land, common standards of decency and context, be polite and do not intentionally insult, belittle or offend others (including on social media and other online interactions). This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Making threats of using any form of physical violence
  • Persistent or unwelcome encroachment of personal space
  • Unwelcome sexual attention in any form
  • Emotional manipulation and abuse
  • Making or using inappropriate discriminatory jokes and language
  • Inflicting personal insult directly or indirectly by using discriminatory terms
  • Any type of blackmail, defamation, or seeking to harm the reputation or business of others
  • Making false complaints with an intent to harm and tarnish the image of another member
  • Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behaviour

If any member is subjected to any of these behaviours, or observe such behaviour of any member causing discomfort to other members, it shall be reported with details in writing to PSAI.

Bullying and Harassment

Bullying can be described as unwanted behaviour from a person or group that is either –

  • offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting and arising out of abusive conduct or misuse of power that
    undermines, humiliates, or causes physical or emotional harm to someone

The bullying could be –

  • a regular pattern of behaviour or a one-off incident; happen face-to-face, on social media, in emails or calls;
    happen at work or in other work-related situations; not always obvious or noticed by others.
  • Examples of bullying (these examples are indicative but not exhaustive) –
    A member spreading malicious rumour about another member; one member putting humiliating, offensive
    or threatening comments or photos on social media about another member or members.

Harassment is defined as “any act that causes physical or mental injury” in Indian law and includes violating the
complainant’s dignity, or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for the
complainant.

The PSAI is committed to providing an environment that is comfortable and free from all forms of bullying and harassment. PSAI will take all complaints of bullying and harassment seriously when received in writing and direct the complaint to its ethics committee for further action on the complaint. The decision of the committee will be final. If the PSAI Board thinks necessary on the recommendation of the investigating committee, it has the powers to pass strictures, suspension and / or termination of membership if it is deemed necessary in the interest of PSAI.

Diversity & Inclusion

PSAI believes in and respects diversity and inclusion. PSAI encourages and respects the fact that different people have different perspectives on issues. Being unable to understand why someone holds a viewpoint doesn’t mean that they’re wrong. PSAI discourages blaming each other. PSAI expects its members to focus on resolving issues, or respectfully accepting the co-existence of differing opinions and perspectives.

Whistleblowing

Whistleblowing is when some wrongdoing is suspected or is occurring within PSAI and a member or members or outsider bring it to the notice of PSAI.

PSAI assures the whistleblowing member or members that their identity will be kept confidential and all necessary protection will be accorded to them.

Raising Concerns or Making Complaints

Any member, speaker, booker, client, member of an audience or a member of the public with whom the member has interacted can file a complaint against the member to PSAI. Only those complaints that are in connection with the speaking business of the member will be entertained. The complaints will need to be in writing and sent to the President PSAI by emailing at president@psai.in

The President will direct the complaint to the ethics committee for investigation and appropriate action in the interest of the wellbeing of its member and PSAI.

PSAI is acutely aware that it takes courage to come forward and share concerns. PSAI treats all concerns with appropriate vigour and fairness. PSAI will not permit retaliation against anyone who raises questions or reports concerns about the functioning of PSAI or its members.

PSAI’s intention is to be as transparent as possible whilst protecting the innocent from perceptions of wrong doing, and PSAI will treat all members equally at all times.

Remit of the PSAI

The PSAI National Executive Committee may also review any action by a member or members suo-moto which has brought, or which may bring, PSAI into disrepute, irrespective of whether a complaint has been made or not.

Investigations will be conducted confidentially.

The PSAI is not an arbiter of personal or individual disputes between members outside the activities of PSAI or between members and their clients on commercial matters.

Criminal Activity

It is PSAI’s policy that if any member is found guilty by any law applicable to the Republic of India, of any serious criminal offence, the member will be dismissed from the PSAI without entitlement to any refund of membership fees paid. The member may re-join the Association at the discretion of PSAI if the member has been discharged from a conviction for a serious criminal offence, provided that the member is no longer on probation nor released on bail and is not on the sex offenders registerIt is PSAI’s policy that if any member is found guilty by any law applicable to the Republic of India, of any serious criminal offence, the member will be dismissed from the PSAI without entitlement to any refund of membership fees paid. The member may re-join the Association at the discretion of PSAI if the member has been discharged from a conviction for a serious criminal offence, provided that the member is no longer on probation nor released on bail and is not on the sex offenders register

Arbitration

In the event of any dispute between the association and any party including members, and if mutual discussions fail to resolve the issue, the issue will be subjected to arbitration under the provisions of The Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996.

Scroll to Top