Introduction
The Ontario Chiropractic Association (OCA) recognizes the majority of members and affiliates conduct themselves in appropriate and respectful ways to support one another’s work. The purpose of this document is to provide general guidance on member and affiliate conduct. It addresses many areas but is not designed to be exhaustive in nature, nor is it intended to replace any legal or other obligations of members and affiliates, including any other applicable OCA policies and guidance. The intent is to foster a culture of professionalism, respectful collaboration and communication, and integrity, in support of the collective advancement of the profession and the dignity, safety and well-being of colleagues and OCA staff.
Framework
This document is intended to articulate the principles on which we base our interactions with each other and with OCA staff and affiliates, so as to ensure a common understanding of the expectations that we have for ourselves and each other. The overarching principles guiding this document are:
- Professionalism, courtesy, respect, and dignity
- Integrity, honesty, transparency, and fairness
- Cooperation, collaboration, and communication
- Equity, diversity and inclusion
Scope
These principles and rules are intended to apply to interactions (including on social media) between members of the OCA and with OCA staff and affiliates, to the conduct of members carrying out OCA work (including advocacy work), and to the conduct of members who expressly identify themselves as OCA members and affiliates. They are not intended to capture chiropractor behavior in the patient context, which is the purview of the College of Chiropractors of Ontario (CCO).
Rules
- Members and Affiliates should interact professionally, with courtesy, respect and dignity for each other and for OCA staff.
- Members and Affiliates should work toward fostering a healthy, safe and positive environment, which recognizes and promotes equity, diversity, inclusion, gender balance, and new talent.
- Members and Affiliates should avoid misrepresentation or misleading disclosure about their own roles, responsibilities, affiliations, competencies and qualifications, or that of their colleagues.
- Members and Affiliates should be mindful of how conflicts of interest can affect decision-making with respect to OCA work, and consider whether OCA documents or information are confidential to OCA before disclosing to third parties.
- Members and Affiliates should act in good faith and endeavor to act in a manner that is consistent with OCA’s interests, while seeking consensus through open discussion and debate, with appropriate consideration and respect for legitimate dissent and freedom of expression and inquiry.
- Members and Affiliates should participate constructively, cooperatively and collaboratively with members and staff.
- Members and Affiliates should respect that volunteers give generously of their time and talents, and refrain from making recurring inappropriate demands on OCA resources.
- Discrimination, harassment and bullying, against or between members/affiliates/staff, will not be tolerated.
Definitions¹
Bullying: aggressive behavior that is typically repeated over time. It is meant to cause harm, fear, distress or create a negative environment for another person. Bullying may happen when there is a real or perceived power imbalance.
Discrimination: treating someone unfairly by either imposing a burden on them, or denying them a privilege, benefit or opportunity enjoyed by others, because of their race, citizenship, family status, disability, sex or other personal characteristics.
Diversity: the presence of a wide range of human qualities and attributes within an individual, group or organization. Diversity includes such factors as age, sex, race, ethnicity, physical and intellectual ability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, educational background and expertise.
Equity: fairness, impartiality, even-handedness. A distinct process of recognizing differences within groups of individuals, and using this understanding to achieve substantive equality2 in all aspects of a person’s life.