Code of Conduct

HELP International prides its reputation on being the "go-to organization that does life changing and life saving, substantive development work, which empowers not only its participants, but also its in-country partners, communities, villages, and people with whom HELP works." Consequently, HELP has been dubbed by some, the clean-cut organization of social impact participant development work with its no drinking/no smoking policy that expects a lot of its participants and interns on whom people depend. We take our reputation and brand of development very seriously and expect our participants to emulate and promote its reputations by meeting our stakeholders expectations. Professionalism in-country needs to match the culture and level of professionalism that people have come to associate with and expect from our organization.

The Code of Conduct found below is the result of many years of experience and has been instituted for practical, safety, logistical, and moral reasons. The entire code of conduct can be found here. The practical aspect of these policies stem from the delicate (and potentially dangerous) nature of participating in development activities in foreign countries and cultures. The moral nature of these policies reflects the core values upon which HELP International is founded. When a participant chooses to travel to and live in another country under the auspices of HELP International, he or she is seen as a representative of HELP International at all times, and is therefore obligated to act in accordance with HELP International’s Code of Conduct rules and regulations. By following the HELP Code of Conduct, participants can ensure that many potentially damaging and dangerous situations are avoided, which will lead to a more rewarding experience and will increase your social impact.

Participant Conduct

The following list of rules and offenses are examples of conduct, which may subject a participant to discipline. Any violation of any one of these policies, any other HELP policy, or any unacceptable behavior as determined by HELP International, may subject a participant to reprimanding, up to and including termination, (i.e. being sent home,) to be determined at the sole discretion of HELP International. Each situation is handled on a case-by-case basis. This is not a complete list of all rules and offenses that may subject a participant to reprimand.

1. Violation of any HELP International rule; any action that is extreme in nature and is obviously detrimental to HELP International’s efforts to operate successfully.
2. Intentional, negligent or careless acts that endanger the life or safety of another person or one’s self
4. Carrying weapons on HELP International premises at all.
5. Engaging in criminal conduct, acts of violence, making threats of violence, fighting, gambling, horseplay, using profane, obscene, degrading, abusive language and actions, provoking a fight during time with HELP, or negligent damage of property.
6. Insubordination, mouthing off, or refusing to obey instructions properly issued by a supervisor or manager pertaining to work; failure to fully cooperate in any HELP International investigation.
7. Threatening, intimidating or coercing fellow participants on or off the premises at any time and for any purpose.
8. Engaging in any act of sabotage causing the destruction or damage of HELP International property or the property of fellow participants, customers, suppliers or visitors. Engaging in slander or any action damaging to the HELP International reputation.
9. Damage, loss, destruction, or theft of HELP, employee, or customer property due to willful or careless acts.
10. Unauthorized possession of, removal or use of property belonging to HELP, customers or other participants; using HELP property for profit.
11. Dishonesty, in any form or degree, falsification or misrepresentation of application or other work records.
12. Loafing or sleeping on the job, unsatisfactory or careless work, failure to meet production or quality standards, mistakes due to carelessness or failure to get necessary instructions, incompetence or neglect of work duties.
13. Any act of harassment of any kind.
14. Unexcused or excessive absence or tardiness.
15. Unwillingness or inability to work in harmony with others, discourtesy, conduct creating disharmony, irritation or friction.
16. Failure to immediately report damage of HELP equipment.
17. Failure to immediately report an accident or injury on HELP property, during your HELP participant experience or involving HELP equipment.

Prohibited Substances while acting in the capacity of a HELP International Participant:

Alcohol

HELP International participants are not to ingest alcoholic beverages, including wine, beer, whiskey, and other spirits for the duration of their in-country experience. Alcohol consumption adds additional safety hazards and is potentially damaging to HELP’s reputation.

Drugs

HELP International participants are not to use any form of illegal drugs whatsoever, nor are they to participate in any transaction involving the sale or transfer of illegal drugs for the duration of their in-country experience.

Tobacco

HELP International participants are not to use any form of tobacco for the duration of their in-country experience. Smoking in some cultures can be offensive and can be interpreted as unhygienic.

Pornography

HELP International participants are forbidden from possessing or viewing pornographic material of any nature in any form during their tenure.

Language

HELP International participants are expected to maintain appropriate standards of conversation, refraining from swearing, vulgarity, sexually explicit conversation, and any other language that could be deemed offensive for the duration of their in-country experience.

Dating/Sexual Relationships

Unmarried HELP International participants are to refrain from all conduct of a romantic or sexual nature or any conduct that could be construed as such. HELP participants are not to participate in any form of dating whatsoever. This policy applies to a participant’s relationships with other HELP participants as well as citizens of the host country or anyone else with whom they have contact. Dating practices vary dramatically between cultures. As a matter of respect and safety, HELP participants are expected to maintain appropriate, friendly, and courteous relationships with fellow participants and others without flirting, dating, overt public displays of affection, or otherwise violating the HELP International Code of Conduct in spirit or letter.

This policy has been put in place for protection: protection for the participant, protection for the people and communities in which we operate protection for our partner organizations, and protection for HELP International as the sponsoring organization. It is more than a matter of propriety or liability. It is out of respect for our participants and their welfare and respect for the people and cultures in which we are visitors.

Points relevant to instituting a no dating policy:

When involved in romantic relationships, the focus of the individuals involved is impaired. It is virtually impossible to concentrate on the intended purpose for the in-country experience.
Culturally, there are many issues involved. Dating, courting and matrimony have different expectations, traditions, practices and implications outside the U.S. It is not as simple as a love relationship between a guy and a gal.
In groups, we have found that dating, whether among participants or with the locals has the effect of fracturing the group and their allegiances to other participants and the program.
As an institution based on helping and lifting and serving, we provide training and guidance regarding appropriate cultural behaviors. Dating is strictly prohibited.
The reputation of the organization is at stake. What are these participants really here to accomplish? What is their motivation? Can this program/operation/organization be considered legitimate? Where is the professional integrity? What about the local organizations involved?
The future of HELP programs in that locale could be jeopardized.

Dress and Grooming

HELP International exists in an atmosphere consistent with integrity and respect. HELP International participants are expected to dress modestly, present a professional, businesslike image and keep themselves clean and well groomed. Participants must be free from body odor, and perfume or cologne must be conservative. The appearance of participants must not distract other participants or our partners. Radical departures from conventional dress or personal grooming and hygiene standards are not permitted. It is within the discretion of the Country Director(s) to determine whether or not a participant’s dress and grooming are appropriate. If a participant violates dress and/or grooming code standards, he/she may be sent home to change. Consistent violation of the standards will result in further disciplinary action up to and including termination. Interpretation of the standards is at the discretion of Country Director(s) and HELP management.

The following minimum guidelines are not intended to be all-inclusive. Further, Country Director(s) may have additional requirements for their participants to follow, which will be discussed according to work on each project or at home. Inside and outside your housing, please be considerate of your team, your partners, and the local population.

Clothing should be conservative in fabric, fit, and style.
Clothing should be in good condition without holes or tears.
Clothing should not display profane language, drug or alcohol paraphernalia, or pornography.
Shirts should cover the entire torso.
Thin strapped tank tops and midriff shirts are not acceptable outside of the living quarters.
Short shorts are not acceptable outside of the living quarters.
See-through or sheer clothing is not acceptable.
Shoes must be worn at all times – Flip flops in public are not allowed.
Excessive body piercings should not be visible.
Hair should be clean, combed, and neatly trimmed or arranged. Shaggy, unkempt hair is not permissible regardless of length.
Sideburns, moustaches, goatees and beards should be neatly trimmed.