Code of Ethics

Coaching Guidelines

The Coaching Relationship

1.01 Self Determination (autonomy)

(a) A coach respects and promotes each client's right to self-determination and assists them in identifying and clarifying their goals.

(b) The coach's responsibility is always their client. The coach will make all efforts to ensure their role as a coach is clearly understood and there are no unresolved conflicts of interest.

(c) The coach must ensure that clients are informed about the scope of coaching. Clients should be aware that coaching is not a substitute for therapy or medical treatment and should not be used as such. Clients should seek appropriate therapy or medical assistance if needed.

1.02 Informed Consent

(a) It is the coach's responsibility to ensure that clients understand the purpose of coaching, the potential value, as well as the risks and limitations of coaching, the financial arrangements, limits of confidentiality, and the right at any time to refuse or withdraw consent for coaching services.

(b) The coach's responsibility is always their client. The coach will make all efforts to ensure their role as a coach is clearly understood and there are no unresolved conflicts of interest.

1.03 Respect and Equity

(a) The coach will strive for an equitable coach/client relationship. Due to the collaborative nature of coaching, coaches should be aware of any potential power or status difference that may exist between the coach and the client due to cultural, relational, psychological, or contextual factors, and the effect it can have on coaching.

(b) Coaches will respect cultural, individual, and role differences, including those based on age, sex, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, ability, language, and socioeconomic status.

1.04 Collaborative

(a) The client and the coach collaborate to design coaching plans that are appropriate for the client's abilities, temperaments, levels of development, and circumstances. Coaching plans are regularly reviewed and revised by the coach and the client, respecting client autonomy, to assess their continued effectiveness.

1.05 Competence

(a) A coach can only deliver coaching services within the boundaries of the education, training, consultation, and other relevant professional experience that he or she has received. Coaches do not provide services or represent themselves as an expert in areas for which they do not have sufficient knowledge, education, and/or certifications. Coaches may share their own lived experience to provide hope and inspiration as long as it falls within the scope of coaching and healthy disclosure boundaries are observed.

Transfer & Referrals

(b) It is a coach's responsibility to refer clients to other professionals when the other professionals possess the specialized knowledge or expertise needed to serve the client fully. If the coach feels that they are not being effective or making reasonable progress with clients and other services are needed, they should do so. Coaches should take appropriate steps to ensure a smooth transfer of clients.

Professional Development

1.06 Personal Values & Limitations

(a) The coach is aware of - and does not impose - their own values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Coaches respect the diversity of clients and colleagues. Coaches seek consultation and/or training in areas in which they are at risk of imposing their values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors onto clients, especially when they are inconsistent with the client's goals and/or are discriminatory in nature.

(b) It is the coach's responsibility to recognize their personal limitations or circumstances that may impair, conflict with, or otherwise interfere with their coaching performance and/or professional coaching relationships. Coaches will seek out personal and professional support to determine what measures may need to be taken.

Professional Responsibility

2.01 Privacy and Confidentiality

(a) A coach maintains, stores, and disposes of any client records, including electronic files and communications, in a manner that promotes confidentiality, security, and privacy. Coaches take reasonable measures to ensure coaching sessions are conducted in a private space where they are not likely to be overheard.

(b) All communications with clients should be professional and transparent.

Social Media & the Internet

(c) A client's privacy and confidentiality should extend into a client's social media platforms unless given consent to view such information.

(d) Client-identifying or confidential information should never be shared, including on a coach's professional website, blog, social media account, or any other website.

Imminent Risk & Mandated Reporting

(e) In instances of imminent risk to the client or others, coaches may use their best judgment to take reasonable actions to ensure their safety. Please refer to your local jurisdiction for specific guidelines and laws.

Basic Ethics

3.01 Professional Ethics

(a) Resolve any conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest by working through the issue with relevant parties, seeking professional assistance, or suspending temporarily or ending the professional relationship including with current or former clients, colleagues, supervisors, and/or an agency or institution.

(b) Coaches strive to respectfully and professionally reach agreements with colleagues/contractors/employers regarding acceptable standards of client care and professional conduct that allow for changes in institutional policy conducive to the growth and development of clients.

(d) The acceptance of certification or contracts in an agency or institution implies that a coach is in agreement with its general policies and principles.

3.02 Conflicts of Interest

(a) The coach will avoid conflicts of interest and potential conflicts of interest whereby personal, financial, or other considerations have the potential to influence or compromise the coaching relationship. Coaches will resolve any conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest by working through the issue with relevant parties, seeking professional assistance, or suspending temporarily or ending the professional relationship.

(b) When providing services to two or more people who have a relationship with each other (for example, couples, family members, third parties), coaches should clarify their role with all parties involved, maintain confidentiality, and take appropriate action to minimize any conflict of interest.

Unprofessional & Dual Relationships

(c) Because there is a risk of exploitation or potential harm to the client, coaches should avoid entering into non-coaching, whether professional, social, or business, relationships with current and former clients, their romantic partners, or their family members.

(d) Coaches never engage in romantic or sexual/intimate activities with the persons engaging in services, nor provide services to individuals with whom they have had a prior romantic or sexual relationship. This prohibition applies to both in-person and electronic interactions or relationships.

3.03 Gifts

(a) Coaches understand the challenges of accepting gifts from clients and recognize that in some cultures, small gifts are a token of respect and gratitude. When determining whether to accept a gift from clients, coaches take into account the coaching relationship, the monetary value of the gift, the client's motivation for giving the gift, and the coach's motivation for wanting to accept or decline the gift. If gifts are accepted they generally should not exceed $25 USD.

Violation Reporting and Procedures

If you believe an HG Institute certified coach has violated the Code of Ethics please submit a report of it here.

Review Process & Timeline

Violation Report received by HG

Log complaint
Determine if respondent (person the report is filed against) is a HGI certified coach.
- If respondent is not a certified coach of HGI the complainant is notified by the Ethics committee that HGI has no jurisdiction.
HGI has up to 45 days to acknowledge initial complaint

If Respondent is a member of HGI the Complaint is sent to the HGI Ethics Committee to make a determination of facts (The HGI Ethics Committee has up to 60 days to review and determine appropriate steps.)

If the issue is outside of the jurisdiction of the Code of Ethics, the Complainant is told that the issue of concern is not a matter that can be addressed by HGI and is given resources to consider for further potential action.
If the issue is under the jurisdiction of the Ethics Committee, the Complaint is read by Ethics Committee to determine the issues and how the Committee shall proceed.
- If supporting documentation is missing, documentation will be requested along with any other requests.
- Once findings and conclusions and all supporting documentation are submitted to the Ethics Committee, the Ethics Committee will send a letter to the Respondent notifying them that a Violation report was filed against them. The Respondent is given a copy of the report. The Respondent has 30 days to respond to the Violation Report. The response is forwarded to the Ethics Committee for their determination.
- The Ethics Committee is convened to discuss case and determine next steps/actions (The Ethics Committee has up to 60 days to determine next steps/action.)
- The Respondent has 30 days from receipt of decision to file an appeal to the Ethics Committee. (The Ethics Committee has up to 60 days to set a hearing for the Respondent.)