Code of Reciprocity

1Reciprocity Over Time

Reciprocity in peer coaching unfolds over time and across multiple sessions. Members are not expected to achieve perfect balance in every single interaction. The platform supports a general pattern of give and take that balances over weeks or months of engagement.

2Peer-to-Peer Coordination

Better Peers provides platform infrastructure only. Members are independent individuals responsible for all aspects of their peer coaching relationships. This includes scheduling sessions, communicating with peers, conducting sessions, and resolving coordination challenges. The platform does not broker, supervise, or mediate peer relationships, and it does not monitor sessions as a matter of course. Where conduct is reported, Better Peers may review it under Reporting and Review below.

3Honest Time Logging

Members commit to logging session hours honestly and accurately. Session logs are for personal record-keeping and may be used to track progress toward credential requirements. Misrepresentation of hours undermines the integrity of the coaching profession and the trust within the Better Peers community.

4Respect for Boundaries and Consent

All peer coaching relationships are built on mutual consent. Members have the right to decline session requests, end engagements, or pause participation at any time without explanation. Respectful communication and professional boundaries are expected at all times.

5Professional Conduct

Members agree to uphold professional coaching standards aligned with ICF Core Competencies and Code of Ethics. This includes maintaining confidentiality, demonstrating respect, and engaging in sessions with a spirit of learning and development. Members are accountable for their own conduct.

6Appropriate Use of Support

Platform support is available for technical issues and account questions. Conduct concerns are handled through the process described in Reporting and Review below. Support does not mediate session disputes, evaluate coaching quality, resolve time balance disagreements, or adjudicate reciprocity. Members are expected to resolve coordination challenges directly with their peers.

7Expected Conduct

Members are expected to hold to these standards in every interaction on Better Peers and in every session arranged through it.

• Treat other members with respect and professionalism.
• Maintain appropriate coaching boundaries.
• Respect consent and a member's right to end a session.
• Keep information shared in coaching sessions confidential.
• Use sessions for their intended peer-coaching purpose.
• Be honest about session participation and logged hours.
• Honor scheduled commitments, or communicate promptly when they cannot be met.

8Prohibited Conduct

The following conduct is not permitted on Better Peers.

• Harassment, discrimination, intimidation, threats, or abusive behavior.
• Sexual or romantic solicitation during coaching interactions.
• Using coaching sessions primarily for therapy, counseling, dating, sales, recruitment, or any purpose unrelated to peer coaching.
• Repeatedly disregarding another member's stated boundaries.
• Misrepresenting sessions or coaching hours.
• Sharing another member's private information without permission.
• Retaliating against someone for raising a concern or taking part in a review.
• Any other conduct that materially undermines the safety, trust, or purpose of the platform.

9Scope of These Standards

These standards cover conduct on the Better Peers platform and conduct in sessions arranged through it. They apply to every session regardless of how it was arranged.

Better Peers does not supervise or evaluate the quality of a member's coaching practice, coaching technique, or professional judgment. Better Peers does set and enforce standards for participation on the platform. Where conduct is reported, Better Peers may review it and take action when a member's conduct does not meet these standards.

Better Peers does not adjudicate coaching quality or ordinary interpersonal disagreement. A report may result in no action.

10Reporting and Review

Any member who experiences or witnesses conduct that falls short of these standards can report it through the support form by choosing Conduct Concern.

A report is an allegation and not a finding. Better Peers may review relevant platform information, including session records and account activity, and may contact the reporter, the reported member, or both. The reported member is given an opportunity to respond before a determination is made.

Better Peers determines the outcome based on the information available to it. Better Peers is not an investigative or legal body and does not make legal findings.

Reports made in good faith are protected. Retaliation against a person for reporting a concern or taking part in a review is itself a violation of these standards.

11Possible Actions

Where Better Peers determines that action is warranted, that action may include any of the following.

• No action.
• Informal guidance.
• A formal warning.
• Temporary restriction of specific platform features.
• Suspension of platform access.
• Removal from Better Peers.

Where there is a risk to member safety, Better Peers may suspend a member's access immediately while a review is underway. Suspension in those circumstances is a precaution and is not a finding.

Better Peers may take action when it determines that a member's conduct is inconsistent with these standards or materially undermines the trust, safety, or purpose of the platform.

12Records and Retention

Better Peers keeps a confidential record of reported conduct, the review, and any action taken. The record is accessible only to authorized Better Peers personnel and is not provided to the reporter or the reported member as part of the ordinary reporting process. It may be kept after a member closes their account, for as long as reasonably necessary for platform safety, accountability, and dispute resolution. Identifying information in the record is kept to the minimum needed, and email addresses are not retained in it.

13No Guarantees or Credential Claims

Better Peers provides infrastructure for personal session documentation only. The platform does not verify, certify, or guarantee that logged hours will be accepted toward any credential or professional requirement. Members are solely responsible for confirming whether their practice meets external requirements. Session logs are self-reported and not validated by Better Peers.

14Shared Responsibility

The success of reciprocal peer coaching depends on mutual trust, transparency, and accountability. Members are expected to communicate openly with their peers, honor commitments when possible, and approach the process with good faith and professionalism.

Important Disclaimers

No Coaching Supervision

Better Peers does not provide coaching supervision, mentorship, evaluation, or quality assurance. Members are responsible for their own professional development. This refers to coaching practice and professional development. Conduct on the platform is covered by Expected Conduct, Prohibited Conduct, and Possible Actions above.

No Credential Guarantees

Hours logged on Better Peers are self-reported and for personal records only. The platform does not certify hours for credential applications. Members must confirm requirements with their credentialing body independently.

Member-Managed Platform

Better Peers provides coordination tools. Members are responsible for the practical aspects of their peer coaching relationships, including scheduling, communication, and working through ordinary differences. Conduct that falls under Prohibited Conduct is not left to members to resolve between themselves and is handled through Reporting and Review.

Alignment with ICF Ethics

While Better Peers encourages alignment with ICF ethical principles, the platform is not affiliated with or endorsed by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), EMCC Global, the Association for Coaching (AC), or any credentialing body.