Terms and Conditions
Career Conversations Terms & Conditions

IBM SkillsBuild Career Conversations Agreement

Preamble: This agreement covers IBM’s expectations and requirements for volunteering with the IBM Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program called “IBM SkillsBuild (skillsbuild.org) Career Conversations” (hereinafter “Career Conversations”) and for participating as a learner.

By clicking the Submit button, you confirm your agreement to IBM’s expectations and requirements for participation in Career Conversations which connects IBM volunteers with adult learners (+18 years) participating in the  IBM SkillsBuild program and supports them through career dialog and questions.  

In this program, IBMers volunteer in a personal capacity. That is, you agree that you are doing this work on a personal basis and not on behalf of IBM or an IBM partner organization/company and that you will inform the learner of that circumstance.  As an IBMer you understand that your volunteering is neither a part of your employment, nor are you representing your employer’s point of view in it. If you are a retired IBMer or you are an IBM contractor employed by a third party, you agree not to present yourself as an agent or representative of IBM and not to make any commitments, or represent that you can make commitments, for IBM.


Volunteers commit to comply with all laws, including employment laws, and to reading and completing the training materials in the “Training & Resources” section of skillsbuild.chronus.com prior to the “Career Conversations”  session with learners. In addition to this agreement, you will also follow your company's/organization’s guidelines on volunteering and code of conduct generally, and in particular with respect to “Career Conversations”. IBM volunteers also agree to comply with the IBM Business Conduct Guidelines. IBM SkillsBuild “Career Conversations” is part of the IBM Volunteers program and all terms apply in IBM Volunteering: Link: https://w3.ibm.com/w3publisher/ibm-volunteering-giving/resource-center. 
 
IBM volunteers agree not to use any IBM proprietary materials or any IBM-owned assets (except IBM CSR resources) in connection with their work as a volunteer.

Participating “Learners” are beneficiaries’ organizations collaborating with IBM in the IBM program SkillsBuild and schools seeking insights into IT careers, career orientation, skilling support for an entry-level IT job, and your personal experience in the STEM industry. 

Confidentiality of Business Information
IBM volunteers and SkillsBuild learners must be aware that, if in “Career Conversations”, they consider sharing personal or confidential information with the Learner, it is their sole decision which information to share, if any. IBM Volunteers and SkillsBuild learners will keep confidential any information identified by the other party (the Learner) as confidential.  The only exception is if you are required to disclose that confidential information by law or court order, in which case the recipient party will try to give discloser party prompt notice to allow the discloser party a reasonable opportunity to obtain a protective order. If an IBM volunteer or SkillsBuild learner agrees to provide a testimonial it is deemed non-confidential. When business examples are discussed, no customer names shall be mentioned unless these are official reference customers. 

Conditions
IBM volunteers agree that they are not entitled to any compensation or benefits for their participation voluntary contributions in “Career Conversations”. 

SkillsBuild learners are aware that IBM volunteers self-report their skills and expertise and are not screened for their skills by IBM or IBM partner organizations/companies. 

“Career Conversations”  are supporting but cannot replace professional career orientation, career advice, job placement service or business consulting. The focus of “Career Conversations” is on exchanging about topics relevant to careers only. Each party agrees to be contacted by the other party through the platform to schedule a Career Conversation.  IBM volunteers  are not responsible for getting a job for IBM SkillsBuild learners.  IBM volunteers  must not even attempt to influence any hiring or investment decisions of IBM or IBM partners. 


IBM volunteers and SkillsBuild learners both understand the volunteer role is to share their experiences, feedback, and suggestions and not to give advice. Both parties understand that volunteers’ experiences, feedback, and suggestions reflect their personal views. IBM, IBM partners or volunteers cannot be held liable for any conclusions drawn by SkillsBuild Learners.


Career Conversations  can be a one-time meeting or a longer-lasting relationship. It can be ended any time by either the SkillsBuild learner  or the IBM volunteer if he/she cannot or does not want to continue it. At the point in time when one party can no longer participate, the other party will no longer attempt to make contact. 

Code of Conduct
IBM volunteers and SkillsBuild learners will treat each other with respect. As a participant in “Career Conversations” program for IBM SkillsBuild you agree to follow the code of conduct below:
1. Keep all agreed appointments or time arrangements for virtual or face-to-face meetings.
2. Provide timely notice if a meeting needs to be rescheduled (at least 1 business day in advance). 
3. Stay focused on the topics of careers (Personal challenges like mental disorders cannot be part of “Career Conversations” with IBM volunteers but need professional help).
4. Maintain a culture of mutual respect and polite conversation. 
5. Be prepared for the sessions/meetings as much as possible
6. At the end of a session/meeting, discuss whether a follow-up meeting is desired/required.
7. Respect the variety of cultural norms, beliefs, practices and values in the mentoring/coaching relationship. 
8. Agree to comply to Chronus Terms of Use for the IBM SkillsBuild (see below).  

Harassment, Insulting, Discrimination & Violence There must not be any form of harassment, insulting, discrimination, bullying or violence in IBM SkillsBuild “Career Conversations”. Participants will be excluded if they do not comply with this rule.  

IBM reserves the right in its sole discretion to change the terms of, or end, IBM SkillsBuild “Career Conversations” at any time. IBM also reserves the right in its sole discretion to decide who may participate in IBM SkillsBuild “Career Conversations” and to terminate any participants’ eligibility to participate in IBM SkillsBuild“Career Conversations”.


 



 
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