Since its inception in 1984, CPHR Alberta has relied on the honour system to ensure the good character of its members, assuming all persons applying for chartered status did so with honourable intentions and without prior legal or disciplinary problems. However, in its move toward aligning with the self-regulation policies of other professional associations, CPHR Alberta was required to develop a standardized format for requesting, tracking and enforcing behaviour among its members that will ensure the good character of the profession as a whole.
Ensuring that only reputable members of the community are eligible to join CPHR Alberta and become chartered helps establish public trust as a quasi-regulator: an association that operates much like true professional regulatory bodies do - offers designations, has a code of ethics, and complaint mechanisms – but, without specific enabling legislation. Furthermore, it serves to build confidence with the Alberta government that CPHR Alberta takes its role seriously as the professional body best able to ensure the public of the integrity, knowledge and skills of its chartered HR professionals.
Professionals, especially self-regulated professionals, serve the public interest, and their professional stature in the community is an important component of maintaining the public trust. In establishing this credibility, most self-regulated professional bodies and all major regulated professions require that members provide an attestation of their good character, either through an interview process or a questionnaire
To establish a system that reflects best practices of other professional associations, CPHR Alberta undertook research on good character requirements in several Alberta professions including the Professional Planners, Municipal Assessors, Chartered Accountants, Architects, Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians, and Naturopaths. As a result of this research, a Good Character Attestation Form was developed by staff and approved by CPHR Alberta's Board of Directors.
Reflecting the most common practice among professional associations, each year at dues renewal, CPHR Alberta members are asked to confirm their continuing “good character” over the previous 12 months by completing the questionnaire.
The purpose of a good character attestation is not to investigate each individual member on the responses to statements, but to provide clarity and set a standard for acceptable conduct within the profession. It is also designed to ensure that only reputable and honest practitioners are eligible to become Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHRs).
If you believe you will answer yes to any of the questions, you may wish to contact us at registrar@cphrab.ca to discuss your particular case and if any supporting documentation is necessary. Answering yes does not result in your membership application or continued membership being denied. It starts a process of review to determine your particular situation. All decisions are made by the Registrar, at his or her discretion, and may be appealed to the Registration Committee for review.
