How to File a Good Ethics Complaint: A Simple Guide

 

Ever found yourself in a situation where you witnessed unethical behavior by a covered individual (PMI Member, PMI Volunteer, PMI Credential holder, or Certification applicant) and wondered what to do next? Filing a complaint can be daunting, but it's an important step to maintain integrity in our professional community. Here's a straightforward guide to help you file a good Ethics complaint.

Find the Right Motivation

First things first, why do you want to file this complaint? Is it because you're upset and want revenge, or because you genuinely want to stop unethical behavior? The latter is the right reason. Filing a complaint takes courage as complaints cannot be anonymous.

Keep Perspective

Remember, filing a complaint is just about reporting what you saw. The Ethics Review Committee will investigate the facts and take action if needed. You're not accusing anyone; you're just sharing your observations.

Focus on Facts

This is crucial. Your complaint needs to be backed up with fact-based evidence. Strong supporting documents are essential for building a compelling and persuasive case. These documents should be specific, relevant, and verifiable, providing concrete proof of the ethical violation. Examples include emails, violation-related documents, records to point out the violation, and witness statements. Take screenshots with dates and times, as digital information can be altered or deleted, especially after the Respondent is notified about the complaint. Collect sufficient evidence to support your observation and keep it organized. It is critical to collect the evidence at the time a complaint is filed.

Refer to the Code of Ethics

A “good” complaint should refer to the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct paragraph believed to be violated. This will help you gather the right evidence. Remember, you can't file complaints against aspirational standards, only mandatory ones.

Be Concise

Keep your complaint focused and to the point. Avoid adding unnecessary documents. A well-organized, concise complaint is much easier to review. If you have a lot of documents, provide an overview and sort them in chronological order.

Include Witnesses

In some cases, it can be very helpful to include witnesses. Especially in "word against word" situations, witnesses can provide additional perspectives that support your complaint.

Follow-up and closure

It's crucial to monitor the proceedings closely, answer the questions received, and attend the hearing, as this will provide a better opportunity to understand the complaint.

Act for the Greater Good

The Vision and Purpose section of the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct starts with the sentence: “As practitioners of project management, we are committed to doing what is right and honorable. We set high standards for ourselves and aspire to meet these standards in all aspects of our lives-at work, at home, and in service to our profession.”

Walk the Talk

Follow the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct:

2.3.2: “We report unethical or illegal conduct to appropriate management and, if necessary, to those affected by the conduct”

2.3.3: “We bring violations of this Code to the attention of the appropriate body for resolution”

2.3.4 “We only file ethics complaints when they are substantiated by facts”

Let's work together to uphold the highest standards in project management!

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