Ethical Dilemma

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

So. I took a course in Life Coaching (CLC - Certified Life Coach), did the learning (which many don't bother with), paid my dues and - DIDN'T - get sent my certificate. This was a month ago. So in an act of desperation I found an old template for the certificate, entered my name in and voila. The question is, do I mount it and display it, as I am entitled to it? Or should I continue to keep on fighting with these people, hoping to get a certificate straight from them? The certificate in question is a strange one. Technically you can get accredited WITHOUT learning a single thing, but in this case, I have sat their course and actually earned this prize!

 

[sam_gordon]

So. I took a course in Life Coaching (CLC - Certified Life Coach), did the learning (which many don't bother with), paid my dues and - DIDN'T - get sent my certificate. This was a month ago. So in an act of desperation I found an old template for the certificate, entered my name in and voila. The question is, do I mount it and display it, as I am entitled to it? Or should I continue to keep on fighting with these people, hoping to get a certificate straight from them? The certificate in question is a strange one. Technically you can get accredited WITHOUT learning a single thing, but in this case, I have sat their course and actually earned this prize!


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Personally, I don't put a lot of stock in certificates anyway just because you can do what you're suggesting.

As far as your question, I think if having that certificate is that important, you keep bugging the organization.

 

[White Cat]

I never concerned myself with displaying credentials other than what is required by law. For me it was about making money ethically. I would recommend putting your efforts into business.

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

Yeah, I know, I have the post-nominal letters to put on websites, fliers, wherever SUITABLE, and of course the learning is the important part, but I'd LIKE the certificate.

 

[policycobb]

I think it's fine that you did your own certificate but you deserve the one you worked for and are entitled to. Keep fighting for it.

 

[Karin1984]

What have you done to get the certificate, email or call them?

And did they promise a physical certificate? If it is an online course, you might not get one, only a PDF.

 

[Clifton Tesh]

Get the real cert.

It may not be important to display it and it may not necessarily be of importance to anyone but you, but, sometime in the future, it may make a huge difference.

I had applied for a job that I was equally as qualified for as another applicant when it came to experience and professional certifications but I had taken all of these "meaningless" classes and racked up all these "meaningless" certificates that the other applicant had not.

Well, that "meaningless" stuff was the difference between me getting the job and not the other applicant. The only proof I had of those classes, were the certificates the companies that performed the classes had given us.

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

What have you done to get the certificate, email or call them?

And did they promise a physical certificate? If it is an online course, you might not get one, only a PDF.

They promised a free digital copy "to be sent out in 48 hours" and for $30 a physical copy within the week. I used their sales eMail to no result, found out the company chairman and eMailed him instead. We've been going back and forth for a month now.

The learning was the important part but as I said, it's the principal that matters. And my $30. In the coming weeks if it doesn't pop up, I'll just treat it like fraud and get my money back from the bank (yes, you can do that).

 

[Clifton Tesh]

They promised a free digital copy "to be sent out in 48 hours" and for $30 a physical copy within the week. I used their sales eMail to no result, found out the company chairman and eMailed him instead. We've been going back and forth for a month now.

The learning was the important part but as I said, it's the principal that matters. And my $30. In the coming weeks if it doesn't pop up, I'll just treat it like fraud and get my money back from the bank (yes, you can do that).

You live in the UK, don't you?

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

You live in the UK, don't you?

I do, yes. The awarding body is in the US.

 

[_19disnA]

Other then mount it on the wall of where you work, not sure how else you would use it. I agree as others have mentioned, most 'certificates' relating to some sort of professional certification are a dime a dozen and probably are unlikely to make a difference in who choses you in a professional setting. I think most people don't put a lot of stock in someone being certified as a 'life coach' whatever that might mean.

Some jobs have various legal requirements relating to your credentials, but I doubt this would be one of those.

 

[Clifton Tesh]

I do, yes. The awarding body is in the US.

Ahhh, well, with that I am not too sure what to do besides keep being persistent.

I know the UK actually protects their citizens from fraud with stuff like this but the US doesn't care if you rip off it's citizens just as long as you don't rip off the government (or unless you are the government)

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

Ahhh, well, with that I am not too sure what to do besides keep being persistent.

I know the UK actually protects their citizens from fraud with stuff like this but the US doesn't care if you rip off it's citizens just as long as you don't rip off the government (or unless you are the government)

That must be annoying. If you pay using a credit card here, the credit card company is liable for your purchases. Even when using a debit card, you can stop or rescind fraudulent payments.

 

[Clifton Tesh]

I do, yes. The awarding body is in the US.

Did you go through the US program or the iGPPA UK program?

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

Did you go through the US program or the iGPPA UK program?

Technically the awarding body is the US iGPPA company, but I paid in Sterling for the training. Even if I paid in dollars for the certificate, my bank will step in for me

 

[fly girl]

If you finished the course and paid for the physical copy, then fight for it! I know you said the emails were back and forth but when did it get resolved and when were you told the certificate would be sent? US to UK mail can take time. Our US Post Office is not the most efficient, especially if it has to go through certain distribution centers.

If you exhaust yourself to no avail, then file to be reimbursed. Hope you get the certificate though, sounds like that is what you really want.

As for the one you made, it is what it is. You know it is made by you so it likely doesn't hold the same significance ... even if it is just for you and your wall.

 

[ronandannette]

Hmmm...seems to me that if you can just print one up for yourself, anybody could. The paper, therefore, means nothing. If I was looking for a certified professional, and the stakes were high enough, I might want the certifying/regulatory body to confirm the person actually earned the credentials. Would this organization affirm your membership if anybody tried to back-check your claim to the title?

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

Hmmm...seems to me that if you can just print one up for yourself, anybody could. The paper, therefore, means nothing. If I was looking for a certified professional, and the stakes were high enough, I might want the certifying/regulatory body to confirm the person actually earned the credentials. Would this organization affirm your membership if anybody tried to back-check your claim to the title?

After a fashion. I display a badge on my (pending) website which links back to my membership.

 

[Miffy]

OP, are you saying that they didn't even send you the digital certificate? That should be good enough and you could print it out, but, of course, if you don't have it, you can't print it.

I don't understand why you're going back and forth with the company chairman. This person is obviously not helping you and instead you should contact someone at the company who will. This is a simple request you have and it should have been fulfilled immediately.

Meanwhile, yes, it is unethical to print and display your own self-manufactured certificate. Certainly you deserve it since you did the work, but a certificate you create yourself is a fake, something you definitely do not want to be.

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

OP, are you saying that they didn't even send you the digital certificate? That should be good enough and you could print it out, but, of course, if you don't have it, you can't print it.

I don't understand why you're going back and forth with the company chairman. This person is obviously not helping you and instead you should contact someone at the company who will. This is a simple request you have and it should have been fulfilled immediately.

Meanwhile, yes, it is unethical to print and display your own self-manufactured certificate. Certainly you deserve it since you did the work, but a certificate you create yourself is a fake, something you definitely do not want to be.

Yeah, they've withheld even a digital copy.

But I hear what you're all saying, I won't be displaying my own home-grown certificate.