Consultants who join the Center for Plain Language list agree to follow these principles of professional behavior:
Principle 1 – Integrity: I will provide my services with honesty and candor. I will not let personal gain undermine my sense of what is right in terms of the purpose, goal, and specifics of communication.
Principle 2 – Objectivity: I will remain intellectually honest and impartial. Consultants should protect the integrity of their work, maintain objectivity, and avoid subordinating their judgment to that of their clients.
Principle 3 – Competence: I will keep my knowledge and skills up to date through continued learning and professional development to provide extraordinary services to clients. I will also recognize when I should turn to other professionals to complement my own skills.
Principle 4 – Fairness: I will maintain impartiality, intellectual honesty, and disclosure of material conflicts of interest. I will treat others as I would want to be treated.
Principle 5 – Confidentiality: I will maintain the formal and informal confidentiality of my client’s information.
Principle 6 – Professionalism: I will behave with dignity and courtesy to clients and colleagues. I will work with other consultants to enhance and maintain the profession’s public image and improve the quality of services.
Principle 7 – Diligence: I will provide services reasonably, promptly, and thoroughly.
Please check the box and sign below to indicate you’ve read and understand the principles above.