Professional Communication, Ethics and Workplace Conduct
This domain tests the conduct and communication standards that decide whether your evidence and your word are trusted.
Communication standards
Be clear, brief and structured. On radio use the phonetic alphabet, 'Over', 'Out', 'Roger', 'Say again', and never person names or site secrets on an open channel. In writing use 5W1H - who, what, where, when, why, how - chronologically, factually, with no opinion, signed and dated.
Ethical duties
Integrity, objectivity, competence and confidentiality. No personal use of footage, no viewing of colleagues or the public out of curiosity, no editing, no withholding a finding that embarrasses your supervisor. Declare conflicts of interest, refuse gifts or hospitality that could influence a decision, and report misconduct through the proper channel rather than the canteen.
Workplace conduct
Respect and non-discrimination, punctuality, sobriety, no sleeping on duty, correct uniform, and compliance with the POSH Act, 2013 on sexual harassment. A confidentiality agreement is not a formality - site layouts, camera positions and incident details are all sensitive.
Dealing with outsiders
Media: 'No comment; please refer to management.' Police: cooperate, note identity and requisition number, refer to management, log it. Complaints from the public: listen, record, escalate, do not argue or promise outcomes.
Worked example
A colleague asks the auditor to replay a clip of a female employee for amusement. The auditor refuses, logs the request with time and names, reports it to the supervisor, and notes that the viewing would breach the DPDP Act, 2023 and the site code of conduct.
Traps
Gossiping about incidents; photographing the VMS screen with a phone; accepting gifts from vendors; giving opinions to media; attributing motive in a statement; using footage to settle personal disputes.