Become a Certified HR Professional!

1. SCOPE OF AGREEMENT

This Terms of Use Agreement (“Agreement”) by and between the Society for Human Resource Management (“we”, “us”, “our” or “IIHR™”) and you (“you” or “your”) governs your use of the www.IIHR™.org website and other IIHR™ owned or controlled websites (collectively, “IIHR™ Websites”) together with all information, content, products, materials and services made available to you through the same by us and/or third parties (which together with the IIHR™ Websites shall be collectively referred to as the “Services”). The IIHR™ Education, a subsidiary of IIHR™, has also adopted these Terms of Use.  Where you are using the IIHR™ Education website or any information, content, products, materials or services made available to you through the same and/or third parties, all references to IIHR™ herein shall mean the IIHR™ Education.

By using or otherwise accessing the Services, or any component thereof, in any manner whatsoever, you agree to be bound by and comply with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. If you do not agree to this Agreement, do not access or use the Services in any manner.

When we refer to the “use” of the Services in this Agreement, we mean any actual or attempted access or use of the Services, including, without limitation, any transmission, exchange of information or communication associated with the Services. These terms and conditions, together with any other terms of use applicable to other IIHR™ owned or controlled websites, as specifically noted on such sites, and any other policies, rules and provisions which are described, linked or otherwise referred to and form a part of this Agreement, including, without limitation our Privacy Policy at http://www.IIHR™.org/privacy, constitute the entire agreement between you and us, superseding any and all prior or inconsistent understandings, representations or agreements regarding the Services.

We may add, delete or modify any of our Services at any time in our sole discretion. We may similarly change this Agreement at any time and we will notify you of any changes (e.g., we will post a revised Privacy Statement with a new effective date, display the word “updated” next to the Privacy Policy link on each page on the IIHR™ Websites, or otherwise). Changes will take effect once we notify you (“effective date”). You can always obtain a current copy of this Agreement at any time on the IIHR™ Websites. If any change is not acceptable to you, you must stop using the Services. Your use of the Services after the effective date shall constitute your acceptance of such changes. If any new products or services become available, they will be considered a part of the Services and your use of them will be governed by the terms and conditions of this Agreement unless we notify you that different terms and conditions apply. You must also comply with any additional terms which apply to third-party content, material, information, software or other services.

2. INFORMATION AND PASSWORDS

You may be required to provide us with certain information in order to obtain access to and use of certain features and functions of the Services including, without limitation, your name or your company’s name, login credentials (e.g., your e-mail address and password), address, telephone number(s), e-mail address, and/or applicable payment data for orders placed for goods and services via the Services (e.g., credit card number, e-mail address, and expiration date) (collectively, your “Information”). You represent, warrant and covenant to us that any and all Information and any other information or data you provide to us, is and will be true, accurate and complete when given to us, that in providing such information to us you will not knowingly omit or misrepresent any material facts or information. You further consent and authorize us to verify your Information as required for your use and access to the Services, as applicable.

Certain features and functions of the Services are not generally available to the public. In order to access and use such features and functions, we may require you to enter your email and password. Third parties may also, from time to time, provide you with additional codes or passwords necessary to perform certain transactions or otherwise access the Services. Your email, password, and any additional codes or passwords are collectively referred to herein as “IDs”. Your IDs are personal to you. You agree that you will not allow another person to use your IDs to access and use the Services under any circumstances.

You are solely responsible for maintaining the strict confidentiality of your IDs and for any charges, damages, liabilities or losses incurred or suffered as a result of your failure to do so. We are not liable for any harm caused by or related to the theft of your IDs, your disclosure of your IDs, or your authorization to allow another person to access and use the Services using your IDs. You agree to immediately notify us if you become aware of any unauthorized use of your IDs or other need to deactivate an ID due to security concerns.

3. ACCESS TO AND USE OF THE SERVICES

You may not use or allow others to use, your IDs and/or the Services, directly or indirectly, nor upload, distribute, transmit, communicate, link to, publish or access any data, information or material through, using or otherwise in connection with the Services, that: (a) is libelous, defamatory, vulgar or obscene, pornographic, sexually offensive or explicit, harmful or harassing, threatening, hateful, racially, culturally, ethnically or otherwise objectionable or offensive, discriminatory or abusive; (b) violates any law or regulation or the rights of others; (c) causes duress, distress or discomfort to another or is likely to deter or discourage others from using the Services; and/or (d) infringes any intellectual property, privacy or proprietary rights or confidentiality obligations of others. You are solely responsible and liable for any such activity, behavior, use and conduct. We have no liability and you bear the sole and exclusive risk associated with use of or reliance on the accuracy, quality, completeness, reliability or usefulness of any data, information or material in connection with your IDs.

You also may not use, nor allow others to use, your IDs, the Services, directly or indirectly, to: (a) attempt to or actually disrupt, impair or interfere with, alter or modify the Services or any information, data or materials posted and/or displayed by us or anyone else; (b) act in a way that affects or reflects negatively on us, the Services, or anyone else; (c) collect or attempt to collect any information from others including, without limitation, personally identifiable information, without such party’s prior consent. You agree to comply with all local, state, federal laws, statutes, rules and regulations, as well as any international treaties, which are applicable to your use of the Services.

You are prohibited from violating or attempting to violate the security of the Services, including, without limitation: (a) accessing data not intended for you or logging onto a processor, communications or access device or account which you are not authorized to access; (b) attempting to probe, scan or test the vulnerability of the Services or to breach security or authentication measures, regardless of your motives or intent; (c) attempting to interfere with or disrupt the Services or services to any user, processor, host or network, including, without limitation, by submitting a virus, worm or Trojan horse; or (d) sending unsolicited e-mail or other information, including promotions or advertising. Violations of system or network security or this Agreement may result in civil or criminal liability. We have the right to investigate occurrences which may involve such violations and may involve, provide information to and cooperate with, law enforcement authorities in prosecuting users who are involved in such violations.

4. INTERACTIVE SERVICES

As a part of and in connection with your use of the Services, you may have the opportunity to provide suggestions and feedback to IIHR™, such as through surveys, focus groups or other means, as well as access to and use of discussion groups, chat rooms, bulletin boards and other interactive functionality (“Interactive Services”). If you participate in or use any Interactive Services, you are responsible for any information, data, text, software, music, sound, photographs, graphics, video, messages or other materials (“Content”) you upload, post, link to or otherwise transmit (collectively “transmit”) and the consequences thereof.  YOU CAN BE HELD LEGALLY LIABLE FOR WHAT YOU TRANSMIT.  If you choose to transmit any Content using such Interactive Services, you agree to do so solely for lawful purposes, in compliance with all applicable laws, and in a professional manner. You expressly agree that we have no responsibility for or control over the Content you may transmit using these Interactive Services. You agree not to use the Interactive Services to post jobs, market products, solicit resumes, collect email addresses, or conduct surveys except where such activity may be expressly called out by IIHR™ as the purpose of the Interactive Services (such as IIHR™’s HR Jobs) or where such activity is expressly permitted under separate agreement with IIHR™. We make no representation that your use of the Interactive Services will comply with applicable laws or that they were designed to comply with the applicable laws. Additionally, we do not represent, warrant or guarantee the truthfulness, accuracy, quality, or reliability of any of the Content posted, displayed, linked to or otherwise transmitted via any Interactive Services. We also do not endorse any opinions expressed in or through any Interactive Services. You agree that you must evaluate, and bear all risks associated with, the use of any Content, including any reliance on the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of such Content.

Although we do not actively monitor, regulate or pre-screen your use of the Interactive Services, we reserve the unconditional right (but not the obligation) to remove, move or edit any Content we in our sole discretion consider harmful, offensive or unprofessional, disruptive, in violation of law, regulation or any agreement, including, without limitation:

• Content which is or may be in violation of this Agreement;
• Content that could reasonably be construed as a violation of federal, state or international law prohibiting anti-competitive activities or unfair trade practices. For example, participants should not discuss detailed salary, wage, or benefit pay by a company or industry, since such a discussion might fall outside of the FTC/Dept. of Justice safe harbor provisions for sharing of salary, wage, and benefits information.
• Content that infringes any other person or entity’s copyright, trademark, service mark, trade dress or privacy-related rights.
• Content that is unprofessional or is harmful to the image of the HR profession.

We have no liability or responsibility to you or any other person or entity for performance or nonperformance of such monitoring activities.  Persons found in violation of this Section may have their access to such Interactive Services blocked, and, in certain cases, IIHR™ membership discipline procedures may be initiated.  By submitting Content, you hereby grant to us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual license, with right to sublicense, to reproduce, distribute, transmit, create derivative works of, publicly display and publicly perform any Content you submit via the Interactive Services by all means and in any media now known or hereafter developed for any use or purpose, including, without limitation, the right to incorporate or implement the Content into any IIHR™ product or service, and to display, market, sublicense and distribute the Content as incorporated or embedded in any such product or service without compensation to you. In addition, by using the Services, you agree to release Society For Human Resource Management and its advertisers from any liability arising from Content transmitted by anyone on the Interactive Services, and you agree to release, hold harmless, indemnify and defend the Society for Human Resource Management and its advertisers from any and all legal or civil actions and penalties and costs, including without limitation attorneys’ fees, arising from any Content you transmit.

5. SHOPPING

All goods and services offered for sale on the IIHR™ Websites (collectively, “Products”) are guaranteed by the manufacturer, licensor or distributor against defects in material and workmanship for 30 days from the date of purchase. Within that time period, you must contact Customer Service (IIHR™store@IIHR™.org) and we will coordinate attempts to correct, repair or replace the defective Product. Please see the IIHR™Store Help Page for information regarding any returns, refunds, transfers or cancellations for all Products.

We have no responsibility or liability whatsoever for goods or services you may obtain from or through other websites or web pages, even if you were directed or linked to such a site or page through the IIHR™ Websites, nor are we responsible for assisting you in correcting any problem you may experience with Products if you do not notify us within the 30 day period noted above or for any goods or services not obtained directly on the IIHR™ Websites. You agree that your sole and exclusive remedy and our sole, exclusive and maximum liability arising from or relating in any way to any Product shall be the amount you actually paid us (or our suppliers or other e-commerce partners) for it.

If a Product is listed at an incorrect price or with incorrect information, we reserve the right to refuse or cancel orders placed for that Product, whether or not the order has been confirmed and even if your account has been charged (in which event we will issue a credit to your account in the amount of the charge).

Our creation or transmission of an order confirmation does not signify acceptance of your order, nor constitute a binding confirmation of an offer to sell any Product and we reserve the right to accept or decline your order for any reason up until the time the Product is actually delivered to you. We reserve the right at any time, without prior notice, to limit or reduce the quantity you ordered of any Product and we will notify you if we do so. Products are offered for sale only to end user customers or as personal gifts to end user customers and not for resale. We do not accept orders from dealers, exporters, wholesalers, distributors, resellers or other similar persons or companies (collectively, “Resellers”) via the IIHR™ Websites, and reserve the right to refuse, cancel or seek the return of any Products that are purchased in violation of the foregoing restrictions. Resellers wishing to place orders for Products should send an email to the IIHR™ Store manager at IIHR™store@IIHR™.org for more details.

You are responsible for any taxes imposed on the sale or use of Products and applicable taxes may be added to the amount charged for Products purchased on the IIHR™ Websites. If an order consists of multiple items, they may be shipped separately depending on availability.

6. US TRADE SANCTIONS COMPLIANCE

IIHR™ must comply with international trade sanctions imposed by the U.S. government. These sanctions prohibit IIHR™ from providing certain products and services to individuals or organizations located in designated countries, or to a person or organization that is designated on a U.S. government-maintained list.  For this reason, individuals who (1) are on any such list or who work for a company that is on such a list, or (2) are affiliated with, or are employed by organizations that are affiliated with, governments of those countries that are subject to sanctions, or (3) are residents of or are ordinarily residents of countries where U.S. sanctions prohibit IIHR™ from providing certain products or services, will not be able to take advantage of the prohibited products or services. Further, individuals in certain countries may be subject to additional screening and, in some cases, may be prohibited from using certain products and services as a result of such US government sanctions.

Please note, however, that U.S. government sanctions laws change from time to time, and IIHR™ reserves the right to immediately implement any changes or additions to these restrictions as appropriate.

7. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

The content displayed or otherwise made available via the Services (directly or indirectly), including, without limitation, all text, graphics, images, button icons, programs, software and other data, content, information and materials, tangible and intangible, and all intellectual property rights in and to the same, excluding the Content you upload, post or otherwise transmit via Interactive Services (the “Material”), are owned by or licensed to us or our third party partners.  In addition, all names, service marks, logos, brands, brand names, trade dress and trade names, and any other distinctive identification are trademarks (the “Trademarks”) owned by us in the U.S. and other countries, or licensed to us or our third-party partners.

You have no rights in or to such Material or Trademarks and you will not use any Material or Trademarks, except as specifically permitted under this Agreement. You may not do or allow anyone else to do anything with the Material or the Trademarks which is not specifically permitted under this Agreement.  You may not use or display our Trademarks in any manner without our prior written permission.  Our Trademarks may not be used in connection with any product or service that does not belong to us, or in any manner that is likely to cause confusion among customers, or in any manner that disparages or discredits us.

Unless otherwise specifically set forth on the IIHR™ Websites or we give you written permission, you may only use and access, download and copy the Material (and print a single copy) for your personal use, and you will not alter, erase or otherwise obscure our copyright, trademark proprietary or other notices on the Material. You acknowledge and agree that the Material is made available for informational and educational purposes only without representation or warranty of any kind, is not a substitute for legal advice or your professional judgment, and unless otherwise specifically specified on the IIHR™ Websites, should not be construed as an endorsement by or representation of the opinions of IIHR™. We do not give legal advice. Your reliance upon Material obtained by you on or through the Services is solely at your own risk. You agree to comply with all notices and requirements accompanying third-party Material. All rights not expressly granted in this Agreement are reserved to us.

8. COPYRIGHT COMPLAINTS

IIHR™ respects the intellectual property rights of others. IIHR™ may, under appropriate circumstances and at its discretion, disable and/or terminate access to or use of the Services for those users who may be infringing the intellectual property rights of others. If you believe that your work has been copied in a manner that constitutes copyright infringement, please provide to IIHR™’s copyright agent [James.Banks@IIHR™.org] the information specified below. Please note that this procedure is exclusively for notifying IIHR™ that your copyrighted material has been infringed.

An electronic or physical signature of the person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of the copyright interest;

A description of the copyrighted work that you claim has been infringed upon;

A description of where the material that you claim is infringing is located on the IIHR™ Websites;

Your address, telephone number, and e-mail address;

A statement by you that you have a good-faith belief that the disputed use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law;

A statement by you, made under penalty of perjury, that the above information in your notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on the copyright owner’s behalf.

IIHR™’s Copyright Agent for notice of claims of copyright infringement can be reached as follows: James Banks, Jr., Esq., General Counsel, IIHR™, 1800 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, or e-mail at James.Banks@IIHR™.org

9. LINKS

The Services may provide, or third parties may provide, links to other Websites or resources. Because we have no control over such sites and resources, you acknowledge and agree that we are not responsible for the availability of such external sites or resources, and do not endorse and are not responsible or liable for any Content, advertising, products, services or other materials on or otherwise made available via such sites or resources. You further acknowledge and agree that we shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with use of or reliance on any such Content, goods or services made available on or through any such site or resource.

 

10. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY

THE IIHR™ WEBSITES AND SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO YOU ON AN “AS IS, AS AVAILABLE” BASIS, AND YOUR USE THEREOF IS ENTIRELY AT YOUR OWN RISK. EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, WE MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND REGARDING THE IIHR™ WEBSITES AND SERVICES, ANY PRODUCTS MADE AVAILABLE TO YOU IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, OR YOUR ACCESS TO OR USE OF ANY OF THE FOREGOING, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND/OR NON-INFRINGEMENT, OR ANY WARRANTIES ARISING BY COURSE OF DEALING OR CUSTOM OF TRADE. WE MAKE NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY THAT ANY MATIERAL, CONTENT, PRODUCTS OR SERVICES DISPLAYED ON OR OFFERED THROUGH THE IIHR™ WEBSITES AND/OR OUR SERVICE ARE ACCURATE, COMPLETE, APPROPRIATE, RELIABLE, OR TIMELY. WE ALSO MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES THAT THE SERVICES WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS AND/OR YOUR ACCESS TO AND USE OF THE IIHR™ WEBSITES AND SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE, FREE OF VIRUSES, MALICIOUS CODE, OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS, OR OTHERWISE SECURE. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES. ACCORDINGLY, SOME OF THE ABOVE EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

11. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND RELEASE

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, NEITHER IIHR™, ITS LICENSORS, SUPPLIERS, PARTNERS, AFFILIATES OR THIRD-PARTY SERVICE PROVIDERS SHALL BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANY THIRD PARTY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR ANY OTHER FORM OF DAMAGES IN ANY MANNER ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR YOUR USE OF THE IIHR™ WEBSITES AND SERVICES, REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION OR THE BASIS OF THE CLAIM OR WHETHER OR NOT IIHR™ HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. ACCORDINGLY, SOME OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

IN THE EVENT YOU HAVE ANY DISPUTE WITH ONE OR MORE THIRD PARTIES AS A RESULT OF YOUR USE OF THE MATERIAL OR THE SERVICES (INCLUDING THE INTERACTIVE SERVICES), OR ARE IN ANY WAY DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF ANY THIRD PARTY IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, YOU HEREBY RELEASE AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE OR OTHERWISE MAKE A CLAIM, DEMAND OR FILE ANY LEGAL ACTION OR INSTITUTE ANY LEGAL OR REGULATORY PROCEEDINGS AGAINST US, OUR AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, REPRESENTATIVES AND SUPPLIERS FROM, FOR ANY CLAIMS, ACTIONS, DEMANDS OR DAMAGES (WHETHER DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL), OF WHATEVER KIND OR NATURE, KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, SUSPECTED OR UNSUSPECTED, WHETHER FORESEEABLE OR NOT, DISCLOSED OR UNDISCLOSED.

12. INDEMNIFICATION

You agree to defend, indemnify and hold us harmless against any losses, expenses, costs or damages (including our reasonable attorneys’ fees, expert fees’ and other reasonable costs of litigation) arising from, incurred as a result of, or in any manner related to any claim or action based upon (a) your breach of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, (b) your use of the Services, and/or (c) the use of the Services by any other person using your IDs. We may, if necessary, participate in the defense of any such claim or action and any negotiations for its settlement or compromise. No settlement which may adversely affect our rights or obligations shall be made without our prior written approval. We reserve the right, at our own expense and on notice to you, to assume exclusive defense and control of any such claim or action and then your corresponding indemnification obligation will end.

13. TERMINATION

We may terminate this Agreement, restrict, suspend or terminate your access to and use of the Services immediately and without notice or liability, with or without cause, and it will not limit any other rights or remedies which are available to us. You may terminate this Agreement by providing us with written notice of your termination and ceasing to use or access the Services. Termination is your sole right and exclusive remedy if you are not satisfied with the Services. Upon the effective date of any such termination, your right to access and use the Services shall immediately cease.

Confidentiality Policy

The International Institute of Human Resource (IIHR) has adopted ISO 17024:2012 and is committed to ensure that:

• All information received by or available to IIHR members, staff, and / or committee members (in whatever format) received in conducting examination activities, or during other certification activities, or during dealings with any organisation shall be regarded as strictly confidential and shall not be divulged to any 3rd party (unless specified in this Quality Management System Document) without the explicit permission of the IIHR.
• Where IIHR is required through agreement or regulatory requirement to provide confidential information to a third party, the client or individual concerned shall, unless regulated by law, be notified in advance of the information provided.
• All records either paper records or password controlled electronic records shall be retained in a secure manner and access provided only to authorised personnel. Records will only be made available to organisations directly connected with the certification process or with explicit permission from IIHR or as required by statutory requirements.
• All IIHR members, staff, examiners and committee members shall be required to agree to IIHR confidentiality policy and sign a confidentiality agreement.

Impartiality Policy

The definition of impartiality is “not prejudiced towards or against any particular side or party”.

Impartiality is one of the cornerstones of certification and is of utmost importance in maintaining the trust that stakeholders should expect from certification.

On the basis of that definition, IIHR seeks to attain the highest degree of public confidence and trust in rendering unbiased services. IIHR fully acknowledges the importance of impartiality in carrying out its certification body activities which are governed by the requirements of the International Standard ISO/IEC 17024.

IIHR, and every member of its certification team, employees, volunteers, and contractors commits to adhere to the following policies:

1. IIHR shall act impartially, and its policies and procedures for certification of persons shall be fair among all its applicants, candidates and certified persons.
2. IIHR shall not restrict certification on the grounds of undue financial or other limiting conditions, such as membership of an association or group.
3. IIHR shall be responsible for the impartiality of its certification activities and shall not allow commercial, financial or other pressures to compromise impartiality.
4. IIHR staff shall not suggest or imply to imply that certification would be simpler, easier or less expensive if training services were used.
5. IIHR does not offer training as part of the certification. Candidates must attend a relevant training course offered by approved trainer/training program.;
6. IIHR shall only disclose reports and documentations until and unless required by law and only be disclosed with a written consent.
7. IIHR shall ensure, through internal procedures, the objectivity of certification activities and manage potential conflict of interest according to the standards of the applicable certification programs.
8. IIHR shall base all of its decisions on objective evidence obtained through an effective certification process based on objective evidence of conformity or nonconformity, and that any decisions made are not influenced by other interests or by other parties. Certification decisions are made and signed for by a competent Manager who was not responsible for the audit and was not a member of the audit team and free from influence by other interests or parties, including those of its clients.
9. IIHR’s corporate policies and practices ensure that the highest standards of integrity are applied to all certification activities.
10. IIHR’s personnel will not be influenced by financial, commercial or other pressures when conducting certification activities and will take action to address any situation that would affect impartiality. Personnel are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest in the Declaration Form.
11. IIHR shall not use personnel with an actual or potential conflict of interest and shall ensure that its personnel are free from commercial, financial or other pressures that might affect their judgement.
12. IIHR’s personnel taking part in certification activities, both internal and external, shall act impartially when executing their responsibilities.
13. IIHR shall identify threats to its impartiality on an ongoing basis. This includes threats that arise from its activities, its related bodies, its relationships, or the relationships of its personnel.
14. IIHR shall enter into legally enforceable agreements with its clients and retain all authority and responsibility for certification activities, decisions and statements.
15. IIHR’s management system has the necessary procedures, safeguards and tools to ensure that these policies are strictly upheld and enforced.

Complaints and Disciplinary Policy

A.     COMPLAINTS

1. Complaints must be submitted in writing by an individual or entity. Inquiries or submissions other than complaints may be reviewed and handled by IIHR at its
2. The complaint must be submitted on IIHR’s Complaint and Disciplinary Form and the specific grounds for sanctions as referenced below and that is relevant to the complaint must be cited.
3. The grounds for sanctions of complaint are as follows:

• Violation of established IIHR certification program policies, rules, and requirements;
• Fraud or misrepresentation in the application for, or maintenance of, certification;
• An irregular event in connection with a HR Certification examination, including (but not limited to) copying examination materials, causing a disruption in the testing area, and failure to abide by reasonable test administration rules;
• Taking the exam for any purpose other than that of becoming credentialed in the area referenced in the title of the exam;
• Disclosing, publishing, reproducing, summarizing, paraphrasing, or transmitting any portion of the exam in any form or by any means, verbal, written, electronic or mechanical, without the prior express written permission of IIHR;
• Unauthorized possession or misuse of IIHR credentials, examinations, and other intellectual property;
• Misrepresentation of credential status;
• Failure to provide requested information in a timely manner;
• Conviction of a felony under state law in a matter related to the practice of, or qualifications for, professional activity.
  4. IIHR will not review or further pursue any complaints which:
     1. Contain unreliable or insufficient information;
     2. Are patently frivolous or inconsequential;
     3. Allege general unethical or unprofessional behavior by a certificant;
     4. Do not expressly reference specific grounds for sanctions;
     5. In IIHR’s sole reasonable discretion may choose not to review or further pursue a complaint based on the date of the violation; or
     6. In IIHR’s sole reasonable discretion, are more appropriately addressed by an administrative, regulatory, or law-making
  5. Upon receipt and preliminary review of a submission involving an IIHR certification program or the grounds for sanction, the Director, may conclude, in his/her sole discretion that the submission does not constitute an actionable complaint as described above. If not an actionable complaint, the submission is disposed of by notice from the Director to its submitter, if the submitter is identified. If the Director determines that the submission is a valid and actionable complaint, the Director will contact the accused for any additional information that may be necessary. The individual will have 7 days to submit any and all applicable documentation. This documentation will be investigated for further action to be taken. If no applicable documentation is submitted within 7 days, the Director may proceed with making a decision.
  6. If a submission is deemed by the Director to be a valid and actionable complaint, the Director shall see that written notice is provided to the certificant whose conduct has been called into question. The certificant whose conduct is at issue shall also be given the opportunity to respond to the complaint. The Director also shall ensure that the individual submitting the complaint receives notice that the complaint is being reviewed by IIHR. The Director will determine if the submission is worthy of an investigation, and if necessary, a phone interview will be scheduled. Upon completion of the interview, the Director will decide if the submission will move forward for investigation.
  7. The Director shall make the decisions described above and provide the notices required hereunder within ten (10) days of receipt of the complaint.

B.      REVIEW OF COMPLAINT

1. For each submission involving an alleged violation of the grounds for sanctions that the Director concludes is a valid and actionable complaint and authorizes an investigation into its specific facts or circumstances to whatever extent is necessary in order to clarify, expand, or corroborate the information provided by the submitter.
2. Both the individual submitting the complaint and the certificant who is the subject of the investigation (or his or her employer) may be contacted for additional information with respect to the complaint. The Director may at its discretion contact such other individuals who may have knowledge of the facts and circumstances surrounding the complaint.
3. All investigations and deliberations of the Director are conducted in confidence, with all written communications sealed and marked “Personal and Confidential,” and they are conducted objectively, without any indication of prejudgment. An investigation may be directed toward any aspect of a complaint which is relevant or potentially relevant.
4. The Director shall undertake all reasonable efforts to ensure that the review process set forth in this section shall be completed within twenty (20) days of the determination to investigate.

C.     DETERMINATION OF VIOLATION

Upon completion of an investigation, the Director may make a determination that there has been a demonstrable and serious violation based on the grounds for sanction. The determination of the disciplinary decision is prepared under the Director’s supervision along with the record of the investigation.

1. If the Director determines that a violation has not occurred, the complaint is dismissed with notice to the certificant and the individual or entity who submitted the complaint. The complaint is included in an annual summary Director report.
2. If the Director determines that a violation has occurred, he will decide on an appropriate sanction.
3. This determination and the imposition of a sanction are promulgated by written notice to the certificant and to the individual submitting the complaint, if the submitter agrees in advance and in writing to maintain in confidence whatever portion of the information is not made public by the Director.
4. In certain circumstances, the Director may determine that the certificant who has committed an actionable sanction, should be offered an opportunity to submit a written assurance that the conduct in question has been terminated and will not recur. The decision of the Director to make such a determination is within their discretionary power. If such an offer is extended, the certificant at issue must submit the required written assurance within seven days of receipt of the offer, and the assurance must be submitted in terms that are acceptable to the Director. If the Director accepts the assurance, notice is given to the certificant and to the submitter of the complaint, if the submitter agrees in advance and in writing to maintain the information in confidence.

D.     SANCTIONS

1. Any of the following sanctions may be imposed by the Director upon a certificant whom the Director has determined to have violated the grounds for sanctions, although the disciplinary decision applied must reasonably relate to the nature and severity of the violation, focusing on reformation of the conduct of the member and deterrence of similar conduct by others:
   1. written reprimand to the certificant;
   2. suspension of the certificant for a designated period; or
   3. termination of the certificant’s certification from

The IIHR database and certificant’s file will be promptly updated to reflect any certification suspension or termination.

2. Reprimand in the form of a written notice from the Director normally is sent to a certificant who has received his or her first substantiated complaint. Suspension normally is imposed on a certificant who has received two substantiated complaints. Termination normally is imposed on a certificant who has received two substantiated complaints within a two-year period, or three or more substantiated complaints. The Director may at its discretion, however, impose any of the sanctions, if warranted, in specific
3. Certificants who have been terminated shall have their certification revoked and may not be considered for IIHR certification in the If certification is revoked, any and all certificates or other materials requested by IIHR must be returned promptly to IIHR.

E.      APPEAL

1. Within ten (10) days from receipt of notice of a determination by the Director that an individual committed an action resulting in grounds for sanctions, the affected certificant may submit to IIHR in writing a request for an

Upon receipt of a request for appeal, the Director will review whether the determination was inappropriate because of:

1. material errors of fact, or
2. IIHR to conform to published criteria, policies, or procedures.

Only facts and conditions up to Director’s determination as represented by facts known to IIHR are considered during an appeal. The appeal shall not include a hearing or any similar trial-type proceeding. Except as otherwise set forth herein, legal counsel is not expected to participate in the appeal process, unless requested by the appellant and approved by the Director.

2. The Director conducts and completes the appeal within twenty (20) days after receipt of the request for an appeal. Written appellate submissions and any reply submissions may be made by authorized representatives of the appellant. Submissions are made according to whatever schedule is reasonably established by the Director.

F.      RESIGNATION

If a certificant who is the subject of a complaint voluntarily surrenders his or her IIHR certification(s) at any time during the pendency of a complaint under these Procedures, the complaint will be dismissed without any further action by the Director. If this occurs, the information will be retained in IIHR’s permanent file for future reference. However, the Director may authorize the HR & Marketing Executive (Appeals & Complaints) to communicate the fact and date of resignation, and the fact and general nature of the complaint, which was pending at the time of the resignation. Similarly, in the event of such resignation, the person or entity who submitted the complaint are notified of the fact and date of resignation and that Director has dismissed the complaint as a  result.

Code of Conduct Policy

Following are the code of Ethics that all staff (both, permanent and contractual) are expected to adhere at International Institute of Human Resource (IIHR):

1. We will always strive to maintain compliance with applicable legal requirements.
2. We will always strive to maintain compliance with all requirements of ISO 17024:2012 as well as those that have been specified by NABET and any other relevant Statutory Body.
3. Certification will not be refused to any candidate due to undue financial or other limiting conditions, such as membership of an association or group or enrolment with any particular EP.
4. We will never falsely advertise regarding the benefits, Certification Process and Scheme to any potential candidate.
5. We will maintain absolute transparency regarding all out activities with our customers, subcontractors, Statutory & Regulatory Bodies as well as any other interested parties.
6. We will never conduct any activities which may lead to a conflict of interest.
7. We will always technically competent personnel for conducting Certification Activities and ensure that they are provided necessary supervision and training.
8. We will always charge appropriate fees to our clients for the services that we provide.
9. We will never falsify any examination results under any circumstances and not let any undue internal or external pressure alter our judgement. Any such incidents will be immediately reported by the concerned staff / contract staff to the Certification Manager for necessary action.
10. Whenever outsourcing is required, we will only outsource to competent subcontractors.
11. We will always abide by our Code of Ethics for maintaining objectivity and impartiality in the Certification Process.

Security Policy

Maintaining the security of International Institute of Human Resource (IIHR) examination material is essential to upholding the integrity of the certification services. Security breaches can occur before, during, or after an examination. Conduct that may violate the security of an examination includes, but is not limited to:

• Theft of portions of, or entire, examination(s)
• Removing written examination materials from a test or meeting site without authorization
• Reproducing and/or disseminating examination materials without authorization
• Using paid test takers for the purpose of reconstructing an examination
• Using improperly obtained test questions to prepare person(s) for the examination
• Cheating during an examination
• Impersonating an examinee or having an impersonator take an examination
• Deliberate loss of examination data enroute to or from the testing centre(s) or any other location.

It is the responsibility of test administrators and proctors to aggressively ensure the security of the examination at all times and to immediately report any security breaches to the IIHR Director.

A breach in examination security has significant repercussions for the IIHR, including the costs of replacing questions and developing new examinations. The IIHR shall insist that its staff, vendors, test administrators, and proctors take all reasonable precautions to assure that individual items, item banks, examinations presented in all media (printed, taped, and computerized), and candidate scores are and remain secure.

The IIHR shall ensure that no candidate sees the content of the examination before or after the examination is administered.