Code of Conduct

Members must conduct themselves with integrity and honesty in all professional activities, including research, communication, and collaboration. 

This includes:

• Ensuring that all research, publications, and communications are evidence-based, accurate, reliable, and free from plagiarism or falsification.
• Disclosing any conflicts of interest that may influence professional judgment or the perception of objectivity.
• Upholding the highest standards of scientific rigour and transparency in all meteorological research and practice, including peer review.
• Self-reporting any breach of their employer’s internal code of conduct, or the law. Failure to make a self-report is, in itself, a breach of this Code.

The Society is committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for all individuals, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic. 

Members should:

• Treat all other members, volunteers and participants with dignity, respect and courtesy, and must not use their position, personal belief or opinion to bully, abuse, victimise, harass or unlawfully discriminate against any other person for any reasons whatsoever. Harassment is defined under the Equality Act 2010.
• Promote diversity and inclusion within the meteorological community by advocating and actively supporting the participation and advancement of underrepresented groups.
• Encourage open, respectful dialogue and constructive debate, recognising the value of diverse perspectives in advancing meteorological science.
• Not recklessly or maliciously damage or attempt to harm, directly or indirectly, the reputation, prospects, businesses or property of others.
• Not advertise, nor write or publish or authorise in any manner (physical or digital) any material that brings, or may bring, the Society into disrepute, is derogatory, or could reasonably be expected to cause offense to any individual member or community of members, or the dignity of the profession. 
• Report any harassment or discrimination by a member, volunteer, or event delegate (including, but not limited to, at the venue, accommodation and/or during any related social activities).

Members of the Society have a duty to act responsibly in their professional roles. 

This includes:

• Using their expertise to contribute to the public good, particularly in matters related to weather, climate, and environmental sustainability.
• Ensuring that their work adheres to relevant legal and regulatory requirements, as well as ethical guidelines.
• Maintaining and enhancing their professional knowledge and skills by undertaking continuous professional development (CPD) activities and engagement with the latest scientific developments, and encourage others working under their direction to do likewise. Recording evidence of CPD undertaken for submission to the Society on request is mandatory for all members who want to retain their professional accreditation (Registered or Chartered Meteorologist). 
• The use of designatory letters by any person to which they are not entitled is prohibited. Members may state that they are a member of the Society and are professionally accredited, but must not use the RMetS logo, or state or imply that they are acting on behalf of, or with the authority of, the Society, except where they have express permission from the Society to do so.

Collaboration and collegiality are essential to the advancement of meteorological science. 

Members should:

• Engage in open and constructive collaboration with colleagues, both within and outside the Society, sharing knowledge and resources to advance the field.
• Acknowledge the contributions of others appropriately, ensuring that all collaborators receive fair recognition for their work.
• Respect the intellectual property rights of others and refrain from using or distributing others' work without proper attribution or permission.

Members have a responsibility to communicate meteorological science accurately and responsibly to the public. 

This includes:

• Ensuring that public statements and media communications are based on sound scientific evidence and are presented in a clear and balanced manner.
• Recording the source material of their work in an auditable trail for the purposes of any professional scrutiny or quality-based verification, and ensure that those who have made a significant contribution to any piece of work are appropriately acknowledged.
• Properly acknowledging and correcting any technical errors in their work at the earliest opportunity. 
• Never plagiarising nor claiming the credit or benefit for the work of others, nor fabricating, falsifying or misrepresenting data or results that could mislead or undermine confidence in meteorological science.
• Engaging with the public and/or policymakers to promote a better understanding of meteorology and its relevance to societal challenges, such as climate change.

Members must respect the confidentiality and privacy of information obtained in the course of their professional activities. 

This includes:

• Protecting sensitive data, including personal information, in accordance with legal and ethical standards.
• Refraining from disclosing confidential information without proper authorisation or consent.
• Handling meteorological data and research findings with care, ensuring that they are shared responsibly and ethically.

The Society encourages the ethical use of resources.

This includes:

• Any professional activities do not unnecessarily put at risk the health, safety or welfare of any person, and must have due regard for the effects on the environment and for the sustainability of any resources.
• Supporting sustainable practices in all professional activities, including reducing the environmental impact of research, travel, and events where possible.
• Promoting the responsible use of meteorological data and technology, ensuring that they are applied for the benefit of society, defence of the UK and its citizens and not for harmful purposes.

Members of the Society are accountable for their actions and must comply with this Code of Conduct. 

This includes:

• Provide information relating to a termination of membership of another professional body as the result of a disciplinary procedure.
• Provide information relating to any convictions of a criminal offence, or receipt of an adverse civil court or tribunal judgment related to any aspect of this Code, anywhere in the world. This does not apply to an offence that is regarded as ‘spent’ within the meaning of the UK Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 or equivalent legislation elsewhere.
• Taking responsibility for their professional conduct and addressing any breaches of this Code through appropriate channels.
• Cooperating with any investigations or proceedings related to breaches of the Code, including providing honest and accurate information.
• Understanding that failure to comply with this Code may result in disciplinary action, including suspension or termination of membership.