Shondell Cater explains how you can avoid a disciplinary complaint with the CII.
Seventy-five percent. That is how many disciplinary complaints on average result in sanctions being applied. That means that out of every 10 people investigated by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), at least seven will end up with sanctions, a record of misconduct and, in most cases, publication of the sanctions in CII magazines and on the website. So it is important to stay on the right side of the line in disciplinary matters.
BIGGEST AREAS FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION IN 2017
In 2017, 47% of disciplinary complaints received related to the CII's examinations and assessments. These include exam breaches and plagiarism/collaboration. That is nearly half of the CII's disciplinary caseload for 2017.
The next biggest area for CII disciplinary complaints in 2017 was misuse of the CII's designations, which made up 18% of cases. These included less serious offences, such as an individual using a designation they have the qualifications for but without holding an active CII membership; and more serious offences, such as an individual purporting to hold qualifications that they do not have.
Another category that made up a big portion of the overall number of disciplinary complaints received in 2017, is what we call non-CII complaints. These are instances of misconduct that have occurred outside of the workplace and/or CII, such as an individual who has been convicted of a criminal offence while an active member of the CII. These cases made up 16% of disciplinary complaints received in 2017.
The remaining 19% of disciplinary cases received in 2017 were made up of: falsifying CII documents; misuse of the CII's intellectual property; unprofessional conduct; and failure to comply with CPD requirements.
HOW CAN I AVOID A DISCIPLINARY COMPLAINT WITH THE CII?
To help you get the best out of your CII experience, we have put together a five-step guide on how you can avoid disciplinary action with the CII:
- Read the CII's Code of Ethics
The Code of Ethics (the Code) is the CII's tool to encourage the highest professional and ethical standards in insurance and financial services. All of the CII's members agree to be bound by the Code when applying for membership and are therefore open to receiving disciplinary sanctions should they breach any aspect of the Code. Read the Code here: bit.ly/2Cce5pJ - When undertaking the CII's examinations and/or assessments, read the rules and guidelines carefully
Rules and guidelines are provided with all of the CII's examinations and/or assessments and these should be read thoroughly before undertaking the exam or assessment to ensure a clear understanding of the dos and don'ts. - Ensure your membership subscription is up to date
Letting your membership lapse while using a CII designation could result in an enquiry into your potential misuse of the CII's designations. - Honesty is the best policy
Should an unfortunate life event occur (such as a criminal conviction, insolvency, etc), inform the CII immediately. Situations where individuals are open and honest in the first instance usually result in more lenient sanctions. - And finally-¦ if in doubt, ask
The CII's customer service department is there to answer any queries you may have regarding any aspect of your membership, qualifications or anything else CII-related. Contact them on +44 (0)20 8989 8464 or customer.serv@cii.co.uk
Shondell Cater is paralegal at the CII
Picture credit: ikon