Breaches of the Code

Find out about the referred and investigated cases

CIPD

From 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2022 we have:

  • investigated 65 cases
  • referred 27 cases to a conduct hearing
  • 3 on going investigations

If a Conduct Panel finds that the Code has been breached by a Member, the CIPD considers whether to publish details of the case, the member and the sanction applied. The CIPD does not publish the outcome where an alleged breach of the Code has not been found or the allegation has not been taken forward.

Blacklisting in the Construction Industry

The CIPD unequivocally condemns blacklisting.

The CIPD have concluded investigations into potential breaches of the Code of Professional Conduct related to blacklisting regarding 18 members. Investigation & Conduct proceedings and outcomes are confidential. We cannot therefore respond to enquiries regarding specific individuals but can confirm that of the 18 investigations, 12 were referred to a Conduct Hearing and a total of 6 cases were found in breach of the Code. A range of sanctions were applied to the Members found in breach of the Code, from reprimands to expulsion of membership.

Read the press release: CIPD responds to blacklisting settlement.

Conduct hearing decisions

At a Conduct Hearing conducted on 1 April 2020 to consider allegations of breaches of the CIPD Code of Professional Conduct that arose from incidents of plagiarism, posting on social media and misrepresentation of CIPD membership. The Panel concluded that the Member, Rhushabh Khajuria has breached the following sections of the Code:

Breach 1:

  • 2.2 exhibit and role model professional and personal integrity and honesty at all times
  • 3.1 always act in a way which supports and upholds the reputation and values of the profession
  • 3.2 uphold their responsibilities as professional people towards the wider community
  • 3.4 exhibit personal leadership as a role model for maintaining the highest standards of ethical conduct

Breach 2:

  • 1.3 accept responsibility for their own professional actions and decisions
  • 2.2 exhibit and role model professional and personal integrity and honesty at all times

Breach 3:

  • 1.3 accept responsibility for their own professional actions and decisions
  • 2.2 exhibit and role model professional and personal integrity and honesty at all times
  • 3.1 always act in a way which supports and upholds the reputation and values of the profession
  • 3.2 uphold their responsibilities as professional people towards the wider community
  • 3.4 exhibit personal leadership as a role model for maintaining the highest standards of ethical conduct

The panel considered what penalty was appropriate in accordance with 4.2 of the Conduct Procedures and decided that:

(c) expel the Member from the Institute.

The CIPD Member is a former associate of the Complainant a qualification provider and consultancy. The Complainant believes that the CIPD Member, was instrumental in causing reputational damage to the CIPD and Complainant and disrepute by unprofessional conduct. The Member failed to respond to some communications from the Complainant and her communication with the Complainant was poor. The Member failed to meet deadlines for marking students’ work

The Panel found the Member in breach of the following sections of the CIPD Code of Professional Conduct:

  • 2.1 establish, maintain and develop business relationships based on confidence, trust and respect
  • 3.1 always act in a way which supports and upholds the reputation of the profession

The panel considered what sanction was appropriate in accordance with 4.2 of the Conduct Procedures and decided that:

(a) Require the Member to apologise to the Complainant
(c) Permit membership to continue, subject to requirements including: engagement with a Mentor; develop a support network of HR Professionals; completion and submission of CPD plans and records at stipulated intervals

Failure to comply with all of the above will result in suspension of membership until such time that the all of the above requirements have been met and demonstrated to the CIPD satisfactorily.

At a Conduct Hearing conducted on 22 February 2018 to consider allegations of breaches of 1.1; 1.3; 2.1; 2.2; 3.1; 3.4 of the CIPD’s Code of Professional Conduct in relation to plagiarism, a Panel concluded that the case in respect of allegation of breaches of 2.2, 3.1, 3.4 were upheld. The case in respect of allegations of breaches of 1.1, 1.3, and 2.1 was dismissed.

The panel considered what penalty was appropriate and decided to:

(d) expel the Member from the Institute for a period of 2 years. After this date, if the Member wishes to re-join it will be necessary to:

  • Engage with a CIPD recommended Member for mentoring to focus on reflection of the events leading to the breaches found;
  • Complete and submit to the CIPD, a CPD return and record evidencing the engagement and reflection.
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