The Code of Conduct and Ethics describes the practice that we expect of all members, regardless of grade. If you believe a CIPD member has failed to provide what we expect in the Code, you can submit a complaint. 

The Code complaints process

Membership verification 

Before we can process a complaint, we must carry out a series of checks to make sure we can take it further. This includes: 

  • ensuring the individual concerned is a CIPD member; 
  • ensuring that the breach took place no more than 12 months ago, unless in exceptional circumstances. 

For a full list of what we can and can’t accept, please see our guidance documents and FAQ page. 

 

Review 

Once a complaint has been submitted, we conduct a review to see whether it can be taken to a full investigation. This can result in: 

  • a request for further information or evidence; 
  • notification that your complaint has been progressed for investigation; 
  • us proceeding as the complainant; 
  • your complaint being placed on hold due to parallel investigations or legal proceedings; 
  • your complaint being rejected if it is deemed vexatious, an abuse of process, lacking sufficient evidence, or outside our scope. 

For further guidance on our review process please see our guidance documents and FAQ page. 

 

Investigation and outcome  

If we accept your complaint for investigation, we’ll appoint an investigation panel of three trained volunteers to assess whether there’s sufficient evidence of a Code breach. We’ll collect evidence from the complainant, the member and other sources. Following the investigation, the panel will reach one of the following conclusions: 

  • Complaint upheld: There’s sufficient evidence to indicate a breach of the Code. 
  • Complaint dismissed: There’s insufficient evidence to support a breach of the Code. 

If the complaint is upheld, we may apply sanctions. These can range from advice and formal warnings to suspensions and exclusions from membership in severe cases. In some cases, once the complaints process is complete, we may publish details of the case on our website, including the member’s name.  

For further guidance on our investigation process, please see our guidance documents and FAQ page. 

 

Appeal 

If the member or complainant is unhappy with the outcome of the investigation they can submit an ‘outcome appeal’ in writing within seven days of receiving the outcome. This must be based on a procedural error that may have affected the outcome, or on new evidence that wasn’t reasonably available during the investigation and which may materially alter the outcome. Appeal hearings are conducted by an appeal panel of three new volunteers who have not had any involvement in considering the original complaint. The appeal panel's decision is final, and there is no further right of appeal. 

For further guidance on our appeal process, please see our guidance documents and FAQ page. 

Guidance for complainants

Download the full guidance
PDF document 809.9 KB

Guidance for members

Download the full guidance
PDF document 1 MB

Alternative contacts that may be able to help: 

  • DIRECTV is the UK government’s help and information online service for people in England and Wales. It delivers information and practical advice about public services.  
  • The Equality and Human Rights Commission provides advice and information about the laws and rights in the UK about age, disability, gender, race and religion. 
    0845 604 6610 (England) 
    0845 604 5510 (Scotland) 
    0845 604 8810 (Wales) 
  • The Information Commissioner’s Office is the UK’s independent authority set up to uphold information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals. 
    0303 123 1113 or 01625 545745 
  • Acas stands for Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service. Acas aims to improve organisations and working life through better employment relations and supply up-to-date information, independent advice and high-quality training. Whether you’re an employer or an employee you can get free advice from their website or by calling their telephone helpline. 
    0300 123 1100 
  • Protect advises individuals with whistleblowing dilemmas at work, supports organisations with their whistleblowing arrangements, informs public policy and seeks legislative change.