Skip to main content
  • Personal
  • Business
  • Foundation
    Close
    • Global
    • India
    • MENA
  • mySHRM Login
  • MySHRM
    • Dashboard
    • Account
    • Logout
SHRM
  • Membership
    • Membership

      As a SHRM Member®, you’ll pave the path of your success with invaluable resources, world-class educational opportunities and premier events.

      Membership Tiers
      • Professional
      • Student
      • Global
      • Executive
      • Enterprise
      Membership Benefits
  • Certification
    • SHRM Certification

      Demonstrate your ability to apply HR principles to real-life situations.

      • How to Get Certified
      • Eligibility Criteria
      • Exam Fees & Options
      • SHRM-CP
      • SHRM-SCP
      • Which Certification is Best for Me?
      Prepare for the Exam
      • Exam Preparation
      • SHRM BASK
      • SHRM Learning System
      • Instructor-Led Learning
      • Self-Study
      Specialty Credentials

      Demonstrate targeted competence and enhance your HR credibility.

      Qualifications

      Gain a deeper understanding and develop critical skills.

      Seminars

      Stand out from among your HR peers with the skills obtained from a SHRM Seminar.

  • Events
    • Events

      Demonstrate your ability to apply HR principles to real-life situations.

      • SHRM26 Annual Conference
      • BLUEPRINT 2025
      • Talent Conference & Expo
      • Linkage Institute
      • The AI+HI Project 2026
      • See More
      State Conferences

      Attend a SHRM state event to network with other HR professionals and learn more about the future of work.

      Seminars

      Attend a SHRM state event to network with other HR professionals and learn more about the future of work.

  • Resources
    • Resources

      Stay up to date with news and leverage our vast library of resources.

      • Flagships
      • HR Research
      • Legal & Compliance
      • Latest News & Trends
      • Tools & Guides
      • Webinars
      HR Topics
      • AI in the Workplace
      • Civility at Work
      • Compensation & Benefits
      • Inclusion & Diversity
      • Talent Acquisition
      • Workplace Technology
      • Workplace Violence Prevention
      Educational Programs

      Attend a SHRM state event to network with other HR professionals and learn more about the future of work.

  • Community
    • Find a SHRM Chapter

      Easily find a local professional or student chapter in your area.

      SHRM Connect

      Post polls, get crowdsourced answers to your questions and network with other HR professionals online.

      Membership Councils

      Learn about SHRM's five regional councils and the Membership Advisory Council (MAC).

      Volunteers

      Learn about volunteer opportunities with SHRM.

  • Shop
    • SHRM Store

      Shop for HR certifications, credentials, learning, events, merchandise and more.

      Workplace Essentials
      Learning
      Merchandise
Become a Member
Renew
Rejoin Now
Renew
Close
  • Personal
  • Business
  • Foundation
  • Membership
    back
    Membership
    • Membership

      As a SHRM Member®, you’ll pave the path of your success with invaluable resources, world-class educational opportunities and premier events.

      Membership Tiers
      • Professional
      • Student
      • Global
      • Executive
      • Enterprise
      Membership Benefits
  • Certification
    back
    Certification
    • SHRM Certification

      Demonstrate your ability to apply HR principles to real-life situations.

      • How to Get Certified
      • Eligibility Criteria
      • Exam Fees & Options
      • SHRM-CP
      • SHRM-SCP
      • Which Certification is Best for Me?
      Prepare for the Exam
      • Exam Preparation
      • SHRM BASK
      • SHRM Learning System
      • Instructor-Led Learning
      • Self-Study
      Specialty Credentials

      Demonstrate targeted competence and enhance your HR credibility.

      Qualifications

      Gain a deeper understanding and develop critical skills.

      Seminars

      Stand out from among your HR peers with the skills obtained from a SHRM Seminar.

  • Events
    back
    Events
    • Events

      Demonstrate your ability to apply HR principles to real-life situations.

      • SHRM26 Annual Conference
      • BLUEPRINT 2025
      • Talent Conference & Expo
      • Linkage Institute
      • The AI+HI Project 2026
      • See More
      State Conferences

      Attend a SHRM state event to network with other HR professionals and learn more about the future of work.

      Seminars

      Attend a SHRM state event to network with other HR professionals and learn more about the future of work.

  • Resources
    back
    Resources
    • Resources

      Stay up to date with news and leverage our vast library of resources.

      • Flagships
      • HR Research
      • Legal & Compliance
      • Latest News & Trends
      • Tools & Guides
      • Webinars
      HR Topics
      • AI in the Workplace
      • Civility at Work
      • Compensation & Benefits
      • Inclusion & Diversity
      • Talent Acquisition
      • Workplace Technology
      • Workplace Violence Prevention
      Educational Programs

      Attend a SHRM state event to network with other HR professionals and learn more about the future of work.

  • Community
    back
    Community
    • Find a SHRM Chapter

      Easily find a local professional or student chapter in your area.

      SHRM Connect

      Post polls, get crowdsourced answers to your questions and network with other HR professionals online.

      Membership Councils

      Learn about SHRM's five regional councils and the Membership Advisory Council (MAC).

      Volunteers

      Learn about volunteer opportunities with SHRM.

  • Shop
    back
    Shop
    • SHRM Store

      Shop for HR certifications, credentials, learning, events, merchandise and more.

      Workplace Essentials
      Learning
      Merchandise
Become a Member
Renew
Rejoin Now
Renew
    • Global
    • India
    • MENA
SHRM
mySHRM Login
  • MySHRM
    • Dashboard
    • Account
    • Logout
Close

  1. Home
  2. Home
  3. Legal
  4. Bylaws & Code of Ethics
  5. Code of Ethics

Code of Ethics

As Amended 04/24/23

CODE PROVISIONS

**************************************************

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

Core Principle 

As HR professionals, we are responsible for adding value to the organizations we serve and contributing to the ethical success of those organizations. We accept professional responsibility for our individual decisions and actions. We are also advocates for the profession by engaging in activities that enhance its credibility and value. 

Intent 

  • To build respect, credibility, and strategic importance for the HR profession within our organizations, the business community, and the communities in which we work. 
  • To assist the organizations, we serve in achieving their objectives and goals. 
  • To inform and educate current and future practitioners, the organizations we serve, and the general public about principles and practices that help the profession. 
  • To positively influence workplace and recruitment practices. 
  • To encourage professional decision-making and responsibility. 
  • To encourage social responsibility. 

Guidelines 

  1. Adhere to the highest standards of ethical and professional behavior. 
  2. Measure the effectiveness of HR in contributing to or achieving organizational goals. 
  3. Comply with the law. 
  4. Work consistent with the values of the profession. 
  5. Strive to achieve the highest levels of service, performance and social responsibility. 
  6. Advocate for the appropriate use and appreciation of human beings as employees. 
  7. Advocate openly and within the established forums for debate in order to influence decision-making and results. 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Core Principle 

As professionals we must strive to meet the highest standards of competence and commit to strengthen our competencies on a continuous basis.  

Intent 

  • To expand our knowledge of human resource management to further our understanding of how our organizations function. 
  • To advance our understanding of how organizations work (“the business of the business”). 

Guidelines 

  1. Pursue formal academic opportunities. 
  2. Commit to continuous learning, skills development and application of new knowledge related to both human resource management and the organizations we serve. 
  3. Contribute to the body of knowledge, the evolution of the profession and the growth of individuals through teaching, research and dissemination of knowledge. 
  4. Pursue certification where available, or comparable measures of competencies and knowledge.

ETHICAL LEADERSHIP

Core Principle 

HR professionals are expected to exhibit individual leadership as a role model for maintaining the highest standards of ethical conduct.  

Intent 

  • To set the standard and be an example for others. 
  • To earn individual respect and increase our credibility with those we serve. 

Guidelines 

  1. Be ethical; act ethically in every professional interaction. 
  2. Question pending individual and group actions when necessary to ensure that decisions are ethical and are implemented in an ethical manner. 
  3. Seek expert guidance if ever in doubt about the ethical propriety of a situation. 
  4. Through teaching and mentoring, champion the development of others as ethical leaders in the profession and in organizations.

FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE

Core Principle 

As human resource professionals, we are ethically responsible for promoting and fostering fairness and justice for all employees and their organizations. 

Intent 

  • To create and sustain an environment that encourages all individuals and the organization to reach their fullest potential in a positive and productive manner. 

Guidelines 

  1. Respect the uniqueness and intrinsic worth of every individual. 
  2. Treat people with dignity, respect, and compassion to foster a trusting work environment free of harassment, intimidation, and unlawful discrimination. 
  3. Ensure that everyone can develop their skills and new competencies. 
  4. Assure an environment of inclusiveness and a commitment to diversity in the organizations we serve. 
  5. Develop, administer, and advocate policies and procedures that foster fair, consistent and equitable treatment for all. 
  6. Regardless of personal interests, support decisions made by our organizations that are both ethical and legal. 
  7. Act in a responsible manner and practice sound management in the country(ies) in which the organizations we serve operate.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Core Principle 

As HR professionals, we must maintain a high level of trust with our stakeholders. We must protect the interests of our stakeholders as well as our professional integrity and should not engage in activities that create actual, apparent, or potential conflicts of interest. 

Intent 

  • To avoid activities that are in conflict or may appear to be in conflict with any of the provisions of this Code of Ethical and Professional Standards in Human Resource Management or with one's responsibilities and duties as a member of the human resource profession and/or as an employee of any organization. 

Guidelines 

  1. Adhere to and advocate the use of published policies on conflicts of interest within your organization. 
  2. Refrain from using your position for personal, material or financial gain or the appearance of such. 
  3. Refrain from giving or seeking preferential treatment in the human resources processes. 
  4. Prioritize your obligations to identify conflicts of interest or the appearance thereof; when conflicts arise, disclose them to relevant stakeholders. 

USE OF INFORMATION

Core Principle 

HR professionals consider and protect the rights of individuals, especially in the acquisition and dissemination of information while ensuring truthful communications and facilitating informed decision-making. 

Intent 

  • To build trust among all organization constituents by maximizing the open exchange of information, while eliminating anxieties about inappropriate and/or inaccurate acquisition and sharing of information. 

Guidelines 

  1. Acquire and disseminate information through ethical and responsible means. 
  2. Ensure only appropriate information is used in decisions affecting the employment relationship. 
  3. Investigate the accuracy and source of information before allowing it to be used in employment related decisions. 
  4. Maintain current and accurate HR information. 
  5. Safeguard restricted or confidential information. 
  6. Take appropriate steps to ensure the accuracy and completeness of all communicated information about HR policies and practices. 
  7. Take appropriate steps to ensure the accuracy and completeness of all communicated information used in HR-related training.

SHRM Bylaws

For information on disciplinary procedures for violations of the Code of Ethical and Professional Standards, please review Article 2, Section 5 of the SHRM Bylaws​.

  • Code of Ethics Toolkit: A Guide to Developing Your Organization's Code of Ethics
  • Code of Ethics Toolkit: A Guide to Developing Your SHRM Chapter's Code of Ethics

HR Daily Newsletter

Stay up to date with the latest HR news, trends, and expert advice each business day.

Success title

Success caption

Manage Subscriptions
Our Brands

SHRM Foundation Logo
SHRM Executive Network Logo
CEO Circle Logo
SHRM Business Logo
SHRM Linkage Logo
SHRM Labs
Overview

  • About SHRM
  • Careers at SHRM
  • Press Room
  • Contact SHRM
  • Book a SHRM Executive Speaker
  • Advertise with Us
  • Post a Job
Advocacy

  • Workforce Development
  • Workplace Inclusion
  • Workplace Flexibility & Leave
  • Workplace Governance
  • Workplace Health Care
  • Workplace Immigration
  • State Affairs
  • Global Policy
  • Advocacy Team
  • Take Action
  • Generation Cares
  • The Section 127 Coalition
Member Resources

  • Ask An Advisor
  • SHRM Newsletters
  • SHRM Flagships
  • Topics & Tools
  • Find an HR Job

© 2025 SHRM. All Rights Reserved
SHRM provides content as a service to its readers and members. It does not offer legal advice, and cannot guarantee the accuracy or suitability of its content for a particular purpose. Disclaimer

Follow Us

  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

  1. Privacy Policy

  2. Terms of Use

  3. Accessibility

Join SHRM for Exclusive Access to Member Content

SHRM Members enjoy unlimited access to articles and exclusive member resources.

Already a member?
Free Article
Limit Reached

Get unlimited access to articles and member-exclusive resources.

You've reached the limit of 1 free article this month. Join to access unlimited articles and member-only resources.

Already a member?
Free Article
Exclusive Executive-Level Content

This content is for the SHRM Executive Network and Executive Content Subscription members only.

You've reached the limit of 1 free article this month. Join the Executive Network and enjoy unlimited content.

Already a member?
Free Article
Exclusive Executive-Level Content

This content is for the SHRM Executive Network and Executive Content Subscription members only.

You've reached the limit of 1 free article this month. Join and enjoy unlimited access to SHRM Executive Network Content.

Already a member?
Unlock Your Career with SHRM Membership

Please enjoy this free resource! Join SHRM for unlimited access to exclusive articles and tools.

Already a member?

Your membership is almost expired! Renew today for unlimited access to member content.

Renew now

Your membership has expired. Renew today for unlimited access to member content.

Renew Now

Your Executive Network membership is nearing its expiration. Renew now to maintain access.

Renew Now

Your membership has expired. Renew your Executive Network benefits today.

Renew Now