Professional Standards of Behaviour

Bullying, undermining, and harassment are entirely contrary to the professional behaviours outlined in the General Medical Council's Good Medical Practice guidance, which applies to all doctors on the medical register with a licence to practise.

Domain 3 (Colleagues, culture, and safety) clearly outlines the teamworking and interpersonal relationships expected, including the specific statements that one "must not abuse, discriminate against, bully, or harass anyone based on their personal characteristics, or for any other reason." It also states that one "must not act in a sexual way towards colleagues with the effect or purpose of causing offence, embarrassment, humiliation or distress. What we mean by acting ‘in a sexual way’ can include – but is not limited to – verbal or written comments, displaying or sharing images, as well as unwelcome physical contact."

Similarly, for members of the extended surgical team the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Practice states that one must "act with honesty and integrity at all times, treating people fairly and without discrimination, bullying or harassment".

In terms of sexism and misogyny, NHS England's Sexual Safety Charter also mandates all NHS bodies to a zero-tolerance approach to any unwanted, inappropriate, and/or harmful sexual behaviours, and requires employers to enforce a 10-point framework to protect staff and patients.

Standards of Behaviour Expected of RCSEd Fellows, Members and Affiliates

Our mission as a College is to be a strong voice for our family of members, developing their careers, upholding standards, and promoting patient safety globally. To help achieve this, our Code of Conduct reflects the College values and sets out the expected standards of ethics, probity and behaviour expected from the membership of the RCSEd.

This code is more than a set of rules; it is a compass that guides us through the complexities of our profession. It mirrors our collective dedication to maintaining the utmost standards of ethics, probity, and behaviour.

We thereby expect our Fellows and Members to demonstrate exemplary professional behaviour in ensuring that they do not bully or undermine colleagues, either deliberately or inadvertently. We also expect them to

• Adopt a zero-tolerance approach to bullying and undermining behaviours; and demonstrate to their colleagues that undermining and bullying is unacceptable when encountered.

• Challenge and report bullying and undermining behaviour appropriately, whenever it is experienced or observed.

• Identify, report and (if in a leadership role) investigate allegations of bullying and undermining behaviour.

• Ensure that all colleagues are informed to identify and report undermining and bullying behaviour, both as a victim and as an observer.

• Demonstrate leadership by contributing to the development of local reporting systems that are effective and have the confidence of colleagues.

Within the College, we also encourage a culture that emphasises the importance of raising concerns and that such concerns are investigated and assessed fairly. Where it is identified, through appropriate College procedures, that there has been a failure to meet the Code of Conduct, steps will be taken to address such behaviours and appropriate sanctions applied. This may include suspension from the College or associated duties until the College has deliberated.

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