By Janice Newkirk

How do the professional standards of the BCTF Code

of Ethics impact our responsibilities in problem
solving with colleagues and parents?

Ethical Practice

Members, individually and collectively, have an obligation to maintain a standard of

professional practice that reflects knowledge, understanding and competence in the
application of the following principles of ethical practice. Specifically, members have a
professional responsibility to:
(a) model honesty, integrity, self-reliance, self-confidence, self-discipline and spirit of co-
operation and encouragement that members seek to develop in students;
(b) engage in critical reflection, based on both research and experience, about
professional practice;
(c) model a commitment to learning and personal and professional growth by engaging in
a process of self evaluation, and individual professional development;
(d) participate as an advocate for public education;
(e) adhere to the professions Code of Ethics.

(BCTF Members Guide)

https://bctf.ca/uploadedFiles/Advocacy/Campaigns/TeachingLearning/Sec31MembersGuid
e.pdf
 The BCTF Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics states general

rules for all members of the BC
Teachers Federation (BCTF) for
maintaining high standards of
professional service and conduct
toward students, colleagues, and
the professional union.

BCTF Code of Ethics Link:

https://bctf.ca/ProfessionalResponsibility.aspx?id=4292
1. The member speaks and acts toward students with respect and dignity, and deals
judiciously with them, always mindful of their individual rights and sensibilities.
Colleagues: If you have an issue with a child (academically or socially) and you are seeking advice, the
conversation needs to be done in a private and respectful way.
Close the door to the staff room, never have a conversation in front of that student or other students.

Parents: Only speak to a parent about their child. If there is an incident teachers are required to respect the
privacy of the other child.
Do not name or give identifying descriptions of other children to parents. Do not compare one childs
progress or abilities to another child (ex. " Charlie reads at a lower level that Sarah).

2. The member respects the confidential nature of information concerning students

and may give it only to authorized persons or agencies directly concerned with their
welfare. The teacher follows legal requirements in reporting child protection issues.

Colleagues: Only share information that needs to be shared. Report any child protection issues to the
Ministry and school principal, not to other staff members.
Share with the learning assistance teacher, an E.A. or other teachers if you are seeking genuine advice
(ex. for educational purposes). Share without student names where possible (ex. in my class there are 15
reading at grade level and 6 below grade level).

Parents: All information on other students is private and not to be shared with other parents in the class.
Explain privacy rights and confidentiality to parents if they inquire.

Note, Other agencies: FSA results are not confidential they are shared with the Fraser institute who rates
schools and districts=main reason why BCTF is opposed.
3. A privileged relationship exists between members and students. The
member refrains from exploiting that relationship for material, ideological, or
other advantage.
Colleagues: If you notice a colleague accepting a gift such as one listed below, speak first to them
then to your staff rep if you feel the issue is not resolved.

Parents: Do not accept any monetary gifts, favors of monetary value ect. from parents or family
members and only gifts that are of low monetary value. Teachers may not accept money for tutoring
students in their class.

4. The member is willing to review with colleagues, students, and their

parents/guardians the practices employed in discharging the members professional
duties.
Colleagues: Teachers should be willing to discuss teaching issues and participate in professional
development (ex. organized and run by the teachers and their union) and in-service (ex. organized and
run by the administration)

Parents: Legally you must report to parents but beyond that must be willing to discuss with parents your
actions, duties and responsibilities. Particularly when things are changing like the new reporting methods
and the new curriculum.
5. The member directs any criticism of the teaching performance and
related work of a colleague to that colleague in private. If the member
believes that the issue(s) has not been addressed, they may, after
privately informing the colleague in writing of their intent to do so, direct
the criticism in confidence to appropriate individuals who can offer
advice and assistance. *It shall not be considered a breach of the Code
of Ethics for a member to follow the legal requirements for reporting
child protection issues.
Colleagues: If you notice that a colleague is doing something that you believe is not appropriate, speak
to them first.
If this does not work, go to your union rep for advice or recommended procedures.

Parents: If a parent comes to you with a complaint about a colleague, do not participate in that
discussion direct the parent to the teacher involved.
Do not engage with a parent on social media making a complaint.
 Internal Mediation Service
The Internal Mediation Service (IMS) is a team of volunteer BCTF
members, trained and experienced as mediators. They work with
members and others to help resolve workplace conflicts that threaten
positive relationships. IMS will mediate conflicts between individual
members, members and support staff, and members and administrators.
They will also work with small groups within schools, local executives,
departments, LSAs, or PSAs as appropriate.

In mediation, the process is managed by the

mediators; the content and resolution are the
responsibility of the individual parties.
Participants have often developed ineffective
communication styles which contribute to their
conflict. Mediators can have a positive influence
by modeling and reinforcing effective
communication skills.
https://bctf.ca/uploadedFiles/public/AboutUs/Services
Handbook/9InternalMediation.pdf
6. The member acknowledges the authority and responsibilities of the
BCTF and its locals and fulfills obligations arising from membership in her
or his professional union.
Colleagues: If there was something you or a staff member disagree with, such as a political action the
BCTF requests you are still responsible for following the directed actions. Note you may follow protocol in
making any complaints.
Ex. everything from informing parents about concerns with FSAs to honoring a strike. Note: BCTF has
recently asked teachers to discuss with parents the concerns about FSAs.

Parents: If a parent disagrees with something you have been asked to do by BCTF, explain that it is policy
or recommendation from the BCTF or refer them to a member of your local union representative.
ex. BCTF is a democratic organization and this is a decision that was made at the annual general
meeting.

7. The member adheres to the provisions of the collective agreement.

Colleagues: If there is something that you are asked to do (ex. on the school administration level) and you
feel that it might be a violation of the contract, do it anyway and immediate contact your local staff rep and
they will file a grievance.
Ex. Your administrator says you are to have a staff meeting two times a week, or that a meeting will take
place during the lunch hour.

Note: collective agreement is an agreements that sets wages, working conditions, committees everything
teachers do has been negotiated and is in the collective agreement. This is a contract between the admin
and the teacher.
8. The member acts in a manner not prejudicial to job actions or other
collective strategies of her or his professional union.

Colleagues: If the BCFT votes and says that you are taking job action, then you are required to take job
action. If you do not, the BCTF can take action against you (ex. fines)

Parents: If a parent comes to you when you are on strike and complains that their has to write a physics
exam in two week, requesting you to work with them to catch up--you would have to tell them it was a
BCTF decision and that they could take action against you if you should do that. You have responsibilities
with your union, and even if you wanted to you cannot due to the possibility of your BCTF membership
being suspended.

9. The member neither applies for nor accepts a position which is included
in a Federation indispute declaration.

Colleagues: If you notice in a job posting that it says there is an existing or ongoing dispute within the
system for that position (the school district is required to put it in their ad that it is in dispute) you are not
to apply.
10. The member, as an individual or as a member of a group of
members, does not make unauthorized representations to outside
bodies in the name of the Federation or its locals.

Colleagues: There are designated union members who make official comments regarding BCTF
policies to the press. An individual teacher is not to make an official comment on something like a strike.
They can make a personal comment however (ex. you could say as teacher I feel that FSAs are not
fair because not BCTF is opposed to FSAs because)
 Judicial Council

Allegations that a member has breached the code of ethics or engaged in

conduct harmful or prejudicial to the interests of the Federation may be
submitted by any member having a legitimate interest in the complaint and
not having available a more appropriate recourse. The Judicial Councils role
is to consider and adjudicate such complaints.

Note: The right to file a complaint shall expire six months after the
complainant knows of or can reasonably be expected to know of the events
upon which the complaint is based. Complaints shall be directed to the
chairperson of the Judicial Council and/or designated administrative staff.

https://bctf.ca/uploadedFiles/public/AboutUs/ServicesHandbook/10JudicialCo
uncil.pdf