IEEE Policies

7.12   Ethical Support

Part A  - Submission of Requests for Support, Inquiries and Information.

1. All requests for support regarding circumstances of employment or professional activities as may be affected by IEEE member adherence to the Code of Ethics shall be sent to the Chair, IEEE Ethics and Member Conduct Committee, IEEE, c/o Corporate Activities, 445 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854 by traceable mail.
    
2. Information which any member wishes to bring to the attention of, or inquiries for which a response is sought from IEEE shall be submitted in the same manner but need not be notarized or sent by traceable mail.  Information and inquiries shall be reviewed by the Ethics and Member Conduct Committee and forwarded, with or without comment or recommendation, to the Executive Committee for consideration and action as may be appropriate.

Part B - Form and Contents of the Request for Support.

The request for support shall be in the form of an affidavit, typewritten, notarized and signed by the member who must be in good standing at the time of submission.  The Request for Support shall include:

1. The name(s), position(s) or title(s) and address(es) and telephone numbers (where available) of the employer or others who are believed to have knowledge pertaining to the subject of the Request;
    
2. The issue, incident(s), or the matter of ethical principle which the IEEE member believes is involved together with the specific provisions of the Code of Ethics deemed relevant or considered by the member to have precipitated the condition(s) of jeopardy;
    
3. Documents, statements and any other evidence to be considered as supporting the Request.  The identification and location of any other documents and material relevant to the Request but not provided in the submission.
    
4. A full description of the circumstances, events and facts which relate to the ethical matter for which IEEE support is sought.

Part C - Procedure on Receipt of Request for Support.

The Chair of the Ethics and Member Conduct Committee shall:

1. Review the Notarized Request for Support, Inquiry or matter of information to ascertain that the incident or event involved occurred no longer than two years prior to receipt thereof.  Should the interval exceed two years, all material shall be returned to the IEEE member without duplication or distribution, noting this limitation.
    
2. If the incident occurred within the two-year limitation period, then promptly acknowledge Receipt of the Request, Inquiry or information.
   
   Transmit copies of the Request, Inquiry or information to Committee members, ensuring that no other distribution or duplication of the material is made, except to provide IEEE counsel with relevant documents, etc. in connection with a request for legal advice.

3. Take steps to consider the Request for Support, Inquiry or information submitted, assemble information, provide for Committee evaluation and prepare a Report on Preliminary Investigation within a period of one hundred twenty days from acknowledgment of receipt of the Request, Inquiry or information.  In those instances where investigative difficulties preclude completion within this limitation, the Executive Committee may grant extension upon request.
    
4. Ensure, during the period of its investigation, that the Ethics and Member Conduct Committee, acting on its own behalf or through ad hoc Committees appointed by the Ethics and Member Conduct Committee Chair, seek relevant information from IEEE members, employees and others as may be appropriate to the nature and contents of the Request for Support, Inquiry or information.  Such information as may be obtained shall be reduced to writing and included in the file or records of the Chair of the Ethics and Member Conduct Committee of the case under review.
    
5. During the course of the investigation ensure that the contents of the Request, identity of persons involved and the scope of the inquiry shall remain undisclosed by the Ethics and Member Conduct Committee to the extent practicable, consistent with the need to secure valid information and conduct an expeditious review.

Part D - Responsibilities of the Ethics and Member Conduct Committee.

1. If in the course of its investigation and review the Committee deems it appropriate to contact persons or entities outside the membership of IEEE or the employer concerned, the Committee shall:
   
   

   a)	obtain from the requesting IEEE member a letter of waiver; and
   b)	send to the employer(s) concerned a letter disclaiming any and all purpose or intent to engage in collective bargaining on behalf of the IEEE member with respect to such matters as salaries, wages, benefits, and working conditions, customarily dealt with by labor unions.

2. The Ethics and Member Conduct Committee, upon concluding its investigation, shall prepare a Report on Preliminary Investigation which shall include findings, conclusions and recommendations based on relevant information and technical and professional opinions.
   
   
3. If the request is deemed to be meritorious, the Committee shall submit to the Executive Committee the request and its Report on Preliminary Investigation upon conclusion of its review of the request together with any matters or information related thereto. 
   
   
4. If the Request for Support is deemed to be without merit, the Ethics and Member Conduct Committee Chair shall notify the requesting member by traceable mail of the action to terminate and shall include a copy of the Report on Preliminary Investigation.
    
5. If new or additional information considered material is received within ten business days following service of notice by the Chair of the Ethics and Member Conduct Committee, the Committee may reconsider and revise its findings.  If the prior findings are affirmed, no further consideration shall be granted and the requesting member so notified.  Subsequent submission of a Request or Inquiry bearing on the same or substantially similar incident or issue may result in the Committee declining further consideration.