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SkiEncore Code of Ethics
The purpose of this Code of Ethics is to establish and maintain standards for SkiEncore and to inform and protect members of the public who use our services.
The Code of Ethics is established on the mode of employment most frequently encountered by instructors, i.e. within a ski/snowboard school. It is quite likely however that instructors will be employed with SkiEncore and that situation may be governed by an extended Code of Ethics that are designed to encompass a specific ski/snowboard teaching environment. However, SkiEncore wish to identify that the principles of the under noted Code will be relevant in all ski/snowboard teaching situations.
Ethical standards comprise such values as integrity, responsibility, professionalism, competence and confidentiality. Members of SkiEncore, in assenting to this Code, accept their responsibility to clients, colleagues, the snowsport school, which is ‘SkiEncore ’.
SkiEncore employees are considered as members of SkiEncore whilst they are being paid for their services by SkiEncore.
In pursuit of these principles, SkiEncore members subscribe to standards in the following areas:
1. Issues of Responsibility
2. Issues of Competence Issues of Responsibility
Ski/snowboard teaching is a deliberately undertaken responsibility, and SkiEncore members are responsible for the observation and application of the principles embodied in this Code of Ethics. Humanity
1.1 SkiEncore members must respect the rights, dignity and worth of every client and their ultimate right to self-determination. Specifically, ski/snowboard instructors must treat everyone equally, within the context of their activity, regardless of sex, ethnic origin, religion or political persuasion. Safety
1.2 The good ski /snowboard instructor will be concerned primarily with the well being, health and safety of the individual performer and thereafter with the development of performance.
1.3 SkiEncore members have a responsibility to ensure the safety of the clients with whom they work as far as possible within the limits of their control.
1.4 SkiEncore members should take all reasonable steps to establish a safe working environment.
1.5 SkiEncore members should know and understand the FIS Code of Conduct and must at all times work within that code. It is an implicit part of the ski/snowboard instructors’ role to openly teach the code and the reasoning behind the code to his/her clients. Furthermore ski/snowboard instructors should discourage other skiers/snowboarders from violating the FIS Code of Conduct even though the SkiEncore member has no direct responsibility for that skier/snowboarder.
1.6 The teaching identified by SkiEncore members and the learning, which is undertaken, should be in keeping with regular and approved practice within skiing/snowboarding.
1.7 SkiEncore members should ensure that the activities being undertaken are suitable for the age, experience and ability of the clients.
1.8 The SkiEncore n member should advise clients that planned body conditioning prior to future skiing/snowboarding would reduce the risk of injury and increase the chance of positive performance development. Professionalism
1.9 SkiEncore members should clarify in advance with clients and/or employers the duration, timing and number of sessions to be engaged upon.
1.10 SkiEncore members should explore with clients and/or employers the expected learning outcomes.
1.11 SkiEncore members should find out if any client is currently or has recently been taught by another ski/snowboard teacher/instructor and in an effort to avoid confusion or misinterpretation for the learner. Terms and techniques should be identified, compared and clarified.
1.12 Past learning from other ski/snowboard instructors may under certain circumstances not be compatible with the technical concepts or teaching methodology about to be employed by the SkiEncore member. SkiEncore members should be aware that often ‘incompatibilities’ stem from ‘misinterpretation’ by the learner. SkiEncore members should understand that no-one profits from disparaging remarks which will only reflect badly on the members’ professionalism. Relationships
1.13 The relationship between the ski/snowboard instructor and client relies heavily on mutual trust and respect. In detail this means that the client should be made aware of the instructor’s qualifications, the wearing of appropriate SkiEncore insignia will generally be sufficient.
1.14 A key element in a teaching relationship is the development of independence. SkiEncore members should be aware that clients need to be encouraged to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and learning during teaching sessions and when skiing/snowboarding out with the direction of a ski/snowboard instructor.
1.15 SkiEncore members are responsible for setting and monitoring the boundaries between a working relationship and friendship with their clients. The ski/snowboard instructor must realise that certain situations or friendly actions could be misinterpreted not only by the client, but also by third parties, which could lead to allegations of sexual misconduct or impropriety. Integrity
1.16 SkiEncore members must treat all snow users (snowboarders, alpine, nordic, telemark and adaptive skiers) with due respect and should encourage their clients to act in a similar manner.
1.17 SkiEncore members should treat resort representatives with due respect and should encourage their clients to act in a similar manner.
1.18 SkiEncore members must accept responsibility for the conduct of their clients in so far as they will undertake to discourage inappropriate behaviour.
1.19 SkiEncore members should refrain from public criticism of fellow members or other instructors. Differences of opinion should be dealt with on a personal basis or directly with the employing agency or third party. More serious disputes particularly those in connection with an alleged breach of SkiEncore Code of Conduct or Code of Ethics should be referred to the Board of Management or the ombudsman of the British Association of Snowsport Instructors. Communication & Confidentiality
1.20 SkiEncore members must take great care to ensure that they do not use language that may offend clients. The more obvious swear words need no explanation but members must remember that some vocabulary that is commonplace and accepted within their own social grouping or even in the media may cause offence to some clients.
The usage need not necessarily be derogatory for example; in order to add emphasis to a compliment the member might say ‘those turns were bloody marvellous’. However this may offend some clients. If a client or clients use certain language and colloquialisms that does not entitle the member to use that type of language.
Often during an extended teaching period (perhaps 6 days) informality develops with the clients. Watch out for ‘good humoured’ sarcasm and for words and phrases like ‘whingers, slackers' etc.
Never, ever use t
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