Seven professional values that define the ethical foundation of professional practice in administrative management. Binding upon all IAM members and learners at every career stage.
Act honestly and transparently in all professional dealings. Do not misrepresent qualifications, conceal errors, or act in ways that would undermine trust in the profession.
Maintain and develop knowledge and skills through continuing professional development. Competence is an ongoing obligation, not a state achieved once and retained indefinitely.
Protect sensitive information entrusted through professional duties. Administrative professionals frequently hold positions of informational trust — as gatekeepers, records custodians, and communication coordinators — and must exercise discretion at all times.
Treat colleagues, stakeholders, and the public with dignity and fairness. This includes a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion and the creation of working environments where all individuals can contribute and thrive.
Accept responsibility for professional decisions and their consequences. If errors occur, acknowledge them transparently and implement corrective measures. Engage in reflective practice to prevent recurrence.
Consider environmental and social impact in professional practice. Administrative management professionals are stewards of organisational resources and should embed sustainability in procurement, operations, and decision-making.
Uphold the IAM motto: Non Sibi Sed Toti — Not for Oneself but for All. The profession is dedicated to serving organisations, communities, and the public interest, rather than solely promoting individual advancement.
Professionals must navigate ethical dilemmas with unwavering adherence to the IAM’s seven core values. The most frequently encountered areas include:
Professionals in gatekeeping roles may have access to sensitive information about individuals, finances, or organisational strategy and are required to exercise discernment regarding disclosure.
Personal relationships, loyalties, or career pressures may influence professional judgement; it is imperative to maintain self-awareness and act to mitigate such conflicts.
As administrative processes become increasingly automated, professionals are responsible for ensuring transparency in the use of AI and for maintaining appropriate human oversight of automated outputs.
The Institute protects any Professional Member who raises a genuine concern about unethical behaviour in good faith. No disciplinary action shall be taken against a Member solely for making such a report.
All IAM members from Affiliate grade upwards must complete 30 CPD hours per year. At least 15 hours (50%) must be structured learning. Student and Retired members are exempt.
At least 3 hours per year must address ethics and professional conduct, reflecting the IAM’s belief that ethical awareness is a continuing professional obligation.
At least one reflective practice record per year is required. Reflective records must be the Member’s own work — using generative AI to draft them constitutes professional misconduct.
Compliance with the Code of Ethics is a condition of Professional Membership. A breach of any principle may constitute professional misconduct and may result in disciplinary proceedings under the IAM Membership Regulation.
The full IAM Code of Ethics (IAM-COC-2026-001) is available to all members through the IAM Membership Platform.
