Honesty Beyond Work: Personal Conduct

Private behaviour can affect public confidence. Dishonesty, violence, or illegal acts outside work can raise doubts about judgement and reliability in clinical practice. ^[1][6]

How personal conduct links to Fitness to Practise (FtP)

The concern is credibility and awareness of risk.

^[3][6]

Fraud, theft, assault, or illegal media use show disregard for law and fairness. Social media posts that mislead or insult others can undermine trust in professional judgement. ^[6][4]

Keeping personal and professional identities separate

Privacy settings should be used, and professional profiles must remain accurate and restrained. Staff should avoid claiming expertise, titles, or affiliations they do not hold. Errors must be corrected promptly, and online arguments that could spill into work should be avoided. ^[3][1][4]

• Behaviours to avoid: illegal streaming or counterfeit goods; hostile online conduct; false claims about experience; and public drunkenness that causes disorder. ^[1][2]
• Steps after a misjudgement: stop the behaviour; acknowledge the impact; seek advice or support; and note the learning in supervision. ^[2][5]

Impact in the workplace

Managers should be told early if personal conduct has professional implications. Duties may need adjustment where risk is identified. Actions should be recorded, review points set, and tone kept factual—avoiding gossip. ^[5][3]

• Simple record: who was informed; what changes were made; when reviews are due; and why the steps taken protect patients and the public. ^[5][3]

References (numbered in text) Why we include references

1. 16. Be honest and trustworthy - General Optical Council Find (opens in a new tab)
2. Honesty and integrity - College of Optometrists Find (opens in a new tab)
3. Guidance on the use of social media - HCPC (2024) Find (opens in a new tab)
4. Using social media as a medical professional - General Medical Council (2024) Find (opens in a new tab)
5. Suspension during an investigation - Acas (last reviewed 06 February 2025) Find (opens in a new tab)
6. Categorisation of fitness to practise data - Professional Standards Authority (2017) Find (opens in a new tab)