Preamble
MSF considers itself a responsible employer and association, and this rests on the responsible behaviour of its members. There is a mutual and complementary role of the employee and the employer to prevent, detect and address unacceptable behaviour and MSFstaff should deploy the means to inform its patients and direct beneficiaries on the behavioural commitments stated below.
Within MSF, all members of staff (employees, including staff on international assignment, volunteers, daily workers) and operationalpartners (including consultants and guests) understand and adhere to the commitments below, incorporate them into their professional and personal conduct, and abide by them. Should this not be the case, MSF offers channels for reporting at every level of the organisation and any non-compliance will entail due consequences.
These Behavioural Commitments are considered as a minimum behavioural standard, more specific rules may apply to MSF staff members depending on the context in which they work and their area of activity.
BehaviouralCommitments
1.MSF staff members andoperationalpartners shall behave respectfully and not discriminate against patients, colleagues or members of the local population on the basis of theirrace,opinions, lifestyle, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, origin, religion or beliefs and othermarkers of identity;
2.MSF staff members and operationalpartnersshall not abuse anyone physically (i.e. physical violence, sexual aggression or other formsof physical abuse) or psychologically (e.g. bullying, abuse of power, harassment, discrimination or favouritism);
3.MSF staff members and operationalpartnersshall not accept, under any circumstances, behaviour that exploits the vulnerability of others, in the broadest possible sense (sexual, economic, social, etc.). This includes exchange of goods, benefits or services for acts of asexual nature, including the use of sex workers' serviceswhile on assignment;
4.MSF staff members andoperationalpartnersshall not accept child abuse, exploitation and violence andnot engage in sexual relations with children1;
5.MSF staff members and operationalpartnersshallnot take advantage of their position for personal gain. Each member shall use MSF resources(including premises, goods, money, reputation,image,etc.) with respect and care and in the interests of theorganisation and thepopulations it seeks to assist.
Promoting a work environment free of harassment, exploitation and abuse
