In the following Wernecke Coaching’s vision, mission, professional values as well as the code of ethics and standards are clearly outlined. The Code of Ethics represents a guideline upon which actions, responsibilities and decisions made at Wernecke Coaching are based. The code ensures that a high standard of integrity, respect, and honesty, as well as ethical risk management, is maintained. For clients of Wernecke Coaching, this code is a clear guideline on what to expect from the coach and the client-coach relationship. This code provides clarity regarding communication, respect, integrity, boundaries, confidentiality, feedback procedures and termination of the coaching relationship.

Vision, Mission, and Professional Values

Wernecke Coaching is a coaching practice, under which Naomi Wernecke practices as a Personal Development Coach. Wernecke Coaching offers online coaching internationally and in person coaching in Zürich, Switzerland.

Vision

To empower individuals to trust in their capabilities, to embrace their inner self and to align actions to not only grow to their full potential but also to impact their living environment positively.

Mission

Wernecke Coaching provides its clients with a non-directional, non-judgemental, and safe space to explore values and beliefs as well as a space to unpack and manage what is holding them back from being empowered to grow to their full potential. 

Professional Values

• The professional values, to which Wernecke Coaching is committed, are at the core of each coaching service provided. These values are as follows:

• Communication – Throughout the coaching journey, communication will be clear, reliable and purpose driven.

• Respect – Each client will be met with respect no matter which social, political, ethnic, age, gender, sexual preference or religious orientation.

• Integrity – The coach is committed to practicing in adherence with the Wernecke Coaching values, code of ethics and standards.

• Trust – The coaching journey is built on a foundation of mutual trust to ensure a safe environment to explore.

• Kindness – Each client will be welcomed to the coaching journey with a strictly professional kindness and warmth.

• Growth – The coaching sessions will focus on the agenda and growth of the client.

The Code of Ethics and Coaching Standards

The following code of ethics has been formulated specifically by Naomi Wernecke for Wernecke Coaching with the following purpose:

• To serve as a guideline of ethics and standards to be adhered to by Wernecke Coaching prior, during and post coaching relationship

• To provide clarity for the client, on what to expect from the coaching relationship

Naomi Wernecke, Personal Development Coach at Wernecke Coaching, agrees to adhere to the principles and standards captured within this Code of Ethics.

Terminology

Within this document the following terminology will be used to ensure consistency and clarity.  

• The term ‘coach’ refers to Naomi Wernecke

• The term ‘provider’ refers to Wernecke Coaching

• The term ‘client’ refers to the coachee

• The term ‘coaching relationship’ refers to the coaching journey

Communication

• The coach will ensure that the client has been provided a copy of the provider’s code of ethics, prior to the commencement of the coaching relationship. The coach will communicate their commitment to adhering to this code of ethics.

• The coach will explain the nature, conditions, and terms of the coaching relationship to the client. This includes services, pricing, logistical aspects, cancelation policy and the confidentiality policy.

• The coach will ensure the client has been made familiar with the feedback and complaints procedure.

• The coach will take into consideration the client’s preferred language when possible.

• The coach will communicate through e-mail and WhatsApp. Social media will not be used to communicate any confidential or vital personal information.

• The coach will commit to responding to clients’ messages within 24 hours of receipt from Monday to Friday.

• The coach is responsible for communicating, maintaining, and setting relevant boundaries that govern the in-person and virtual interactions during the coaching relationship.

• The coach will not communicate any misleading or untrue information to the client.

Respect

• The coach will meet the client with the utmost respect irrelevant of political, social, racial, gender, sexual preference, ethnic and religious orientation as well as economic status and physical characteristics. 

• The coach will respect the inherent dignity of all people.

• The coach will respect the diverse range of values, beliefs, and goals of the client without judgement.

• The coach commits to being respectful toward the client’s time. The coach will manage the timing of the sessions. This includes being on time for sessions and closing sessions on time.

• The coach will respect the client’s privacy and will only ask for information that is conducive to the success of the coaching relationship.

• The coach will respect and honour the client’s trust.

• The coach will respect sessions booked and will only cancel due to inability to provide a high standard of coaching.

Integrity

• The coach will always act lawfully.

• The coach will act appropriately when a conflict of interest arises.

• The coach conducts themselves in such a way, that celebrates diversity and supports equal opportunities.

• The coach will communicate any conflict of interest as soon as it arises and will withdraw as a coach, if seen as necessary.

• The coach will only break confidentiality when the client has expressed intent to harm themselves, another person or break the law. The relevant authorities will be informed.

• The coach will strive to represent the coaching profession in their best capacity.

• The coach will honour fellow coaches, their practices, and their capabilities.

• The coach will be transparent regarding qualifications, capabilities, and experience.

Personal Competence

• The coach will withdraw from coaching if mentally, physically, or emotionally unfit to coach.

• The coach will do everything within their power to be at their own best level, to show up and support the clients.

• The coach will walk the talk and ensure practices of coaching are implemented in their own life. The coach will have their own coach.

• The coach will present themselves in a respectable, dignified, honest, kind, and balanced manner in their personal capacity. 

Professional Competence

• The coach commits to continued professional development, to ensure that the client receives a high level of coaching.

• The coach will remain informed regarding industry standards and developments.

• The coach will ensure client feedback is constantly taken into consideration to continuously improve coaching services provided.

• The coach will continuously reflect on their own effectiveness and take steps to improve when necessary. This includes peer and mentor supervision.

• The coach will manage their professional schedule effectively, to ensure high standards of coaching are maintained within the coach’s capacity.

• The coach will perform appropriate risk management.

• The coach is aware of their own professional limitations and capabilities. When the coach believes the client would benefit from seeing a different professional, the coach will communicate this and help the individual find a suitable professional if possible. At no point is the client expected to make use of the third-party professional recommended by the coach.

 Environmental Impact

• The coach commits to distributing all documentation in electronic format, in efforts to eliminate printing.

• The coach commits to traveling to client meetings by walking or using public transport whenever possible.

Confidentiality and Privacy

• The coach will ensure that the client’s information is protected in conformity with the Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP) of Switzerland.

• The coach will not share any client information, unless specifically requested to do so by the client.

• The coach will store session notes separately from client data, both in a safe place throughout the coaching relationship.

• The coach will ensure the data is correctly disposed of upon termination of the coaching relationship.

• The coach will ensure the client has access to the confidentiality policy.

• The coach will not release the client’s name and testimonial without receiving prior approval.

• The coach will obtain client permission prior to recording a session.

• Upon third party requests for coaching, the provider will clarify confidentiality limitations with the parties involved, based on the purpose of the service.

 Unethical Behaviour and Risks

• At no point will the coach engage in a physical or romantic relationship with the client. The coaching relationship is limited to a strictly professional nature.

• The client will not work with the client on past trauma and experiences, but rather explore the future path.

• The coach will not accept gifts from the client during the coaching relationship. Any thank you gifts received after the coaching relationship must be of nominal value and will be recorded.

• The coach will not discriminate nor pass judgement on any individual.

• The coach will not coach an individual who has not requested coaching services and will only coach within agreed coaching sessions.

• The coach will not put themselves nor their clients at risk knowingly.

• The coach will not coach individuals under the age of 18 years.

 Termination of The Coaching Relationship

• If the client is not making any progress due to lack of action on their behalf the coach is at liberty to terminate the coaching relationship.

• The coach will terminate the relationship when the sessions are no longer benefiting the client.

• The coach will respect the client’s right to terminate the coaching relationship at any point.

• The coach will terminate the coaching relationship when they believe the client will be better served by booking sessions with a different professional.

• The coaching relationship can be terminated, if either party feels they are not being met with honesty, respect and are not being honoured.

Naomi Wernecke, on behalf of Wernecke Coaching, is committed to adhering to the code of ethics and standards outlined herein to ensure high levels of integrity, respect, and honesty in all endeavours professionally, personally, and environmentally. Wernecke Coaching commits to providing high standards of coaching to empower individuals to grow to their full potential and have a positive impact on their living environment in doing so.