Disciplinary Policy

IASSC – DISCIPLINARY POLICY FOR BREACHES OF CODE OF CONDUCT

IASSC CODE OF CONDUCT

IASSC is a voluntary, professional organization that is dedicated to demonstrating mastery of established levels of Lean Six Sigma Bodies of Knowledge as well as demanding the highest professional and personal conduct by its Membership.  All Members of IASSC, whether through accreditation or certification, are expected to demonstrate such conduct in all dealings with employers, customers, clients, colleagues and the general public.  Personal interest or advantage must at all times be secondary to those of others.

IASSC recognizes that a professional accreditation and certification creates an expectation in the community that the Member will discharge professional responsibilities with integrity, objectivity, due care and genuine interest.   At all times these professional responsibilities must respect the confidentiality as agreed by the parties involved in the delivery of such services.

Reports that Members are suspected of breaching this Code of Conduct will be reviewed and investigated.  The Member in question will be contacted and will be given the opportunity to fully respond to the potential breach.  Proposed action may include censure, suspension or termination of Membership.  Any proposed action will be subject to the IASSC Appeals procedure.

REPORTS OF BREACHES OF CODE OF CONDUCT

Any Report of conduct that could reasonably construed as violating the IASSC Code of Conduct will be assigned to the Director of Audit and Compliance for investigation.  Immediately upon referral, a letter of notice will be sent to the alleged violator with a summary of the reported violations.  IASSC will maintain full confidentiality regarding the allegations during the investigation period.  During such investigation IASSC will strive to protect the identities of the parties involved to the extent reasonably possible within the investigation process.

INVESTIGATION OF REPORTS OF BREACH

The investigation process will be thorough and impartial.  It will be the objective of IASSC to complete the investigation with a period of sixty days.  This timeline may not be possible if the alleged violator refuses to cooperate in the investigation.  The findings of the investigation shall be in writing.

LEVELS OF SEVERITY FOR BREACH

The severity of the level of breach of the Code of Conduct shall determine the proposed restrictions to be imposed on the violator.  Each situation will be evaluated separately.  Restrictions can range from a letter of warning, censure, suspension or termination.

PROPOSED RESTRICTIONS AND PENALTIES FOR BREACH

Warning – In the event the breach is determined to be minor and potentially unintentional, written warning will be issued to the Member.  Evidence of corrective measures will be adequate to avoid any further actions.  It will not be made public.

Censure – A breach of a serious nature that is suspected of being done intentionally, a letter of censure will be issued.  The censured Member will be given the opportunity to correct the conduct – failure to promptly address the issue will result in posting ofsuch action on the IASSC website.

Suspension – A serious breach and failure to promptly correct the breach will result in a suspension of the IASSC designation for a period of up to 90 days.  Corrective action will allow for a reinstatement of Membership designation.

Termination – Failure to correct a serious breach of the Code of Conduct after a period of suspension will result a termination of the Membership designation.

APPEAL PROCEDURE

Proposed restrictions to the IASSC membership for reasons of a breach of the Code of Conduct shall be delivered to the violator by certified mail.  The proposed restriction will be delayed for a period of 14 days.  During that period of time, the sanctioned Member will be allowed to submit a written appeal of the proposed action. In the event of an appeal, the following process shall be convened:

1.    The findings of IASSC’s investigation and proposed restrictions will be reiterated to the Member in writing.  All such communications shall be transmitted via the internet unless otherwise requested by the Member.
2.    A written rebuttal shall be accepted for review within 14 days of receipt of the materials described in #1 above.
3.    A 14-day extension may be requested for the rebuttal period.  Such extension shall not be unreasonably withheld.
4.    A hearing of the rebuttals shall be granted via a teleconference with the Member.
5.    A final determination shall be communicated to the Member within 30 days of the hearing or the final submission of any rebuttal materials.

FINAL NOTICE OF DETERMINATION

In the event that the violating Member is subject to suspension or termination, the Membership Directory of IASSC shall note such action.  The Final Notice of Determination shall also indicate if the violating Member may be considered for Membership reinstatement and for the period of time that must pass before any reinstatement request may be considered.