Mentor and Mentee Code of Conduct

1. General Conduct

For Both Mentors and Mentees

1. Respect and Professionalism: Users shall communicate with each other in a respectful, professional, and courteous manner at all times.
2. No Discrimination: Any form of discrimination based on race, caste, religion, gender, nationality, disability, or sexual orientation is strictly prohibited.
3. No Harassment or Abuse: Users shall not engage in harassment, bullying, threats, or any form of inappropriate behavior during interactions.
4. Confidentiality: Users must respect and maintain the confidentiality of discussions, personal information, and proprietary content shared during mentorship sessions.
5. Honesty & Integrity: Users shall not misrepresent their identity, qualifications, experience, or affiliations on the platform.
6. Compliance with Laws: Users must comply with all applicable laws of India, including but not limited to the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Personal Data Protection Bill (if applicable).
7. No Solicitation or Self-Promotion: Mentors and mentees shall not use the platform for unethical self-promotion, unsolicited job offers, marketing, or selling services unrelated to mentorship.

2. Responsibilities of Mentors

As a mentor on Distance Connect, you agree to:

1. Provide Honest and Ethical Guidance: Offer authentic mentorship based on your expertise, avoiding misleading advice.
2. Maintain Professional Boundaries: Refrain from asking for personal favors, inappropriate personal interactions, or engaging in non-professional relationships with mentees.
3. No Guarantee of Jobs or Internships: Mentors shall not guarantee job placements, internships, or direct employment through mentorship sessions.
4. No Monetary Demands Outside Platform: All session payments must be processed through Distance Connect's payment gateway. Mentors must not demand or accept direct payments from mentees.
5. Timely Availability & Commitment:
   • Honor scheduled mentorship sessions and notify in advance if rescheduling is needed.
   • Refrain from canceling sessions frequently or failing to appear without notice.
6. Respect Intellectual Property Rights:
   • Do not use or claim ownership of any work, research, or ideas shared by mentees without permission.
   • Do not disclose sensitive company information if you are employed by an organization that restricts such discussions.

3. Responsibilities of Mentees

As a mentee on Distance Connect, you agree to:

1. Engage with a Learning Mindset: Seek mentorship for genuine learning, career development, and skill-building.
2. No Exploitation of Mentor's Time:
   • Respect the mentor's availability and do not demand excessive, free, or unsolicited guidance outside scheduled sessions.
3. Provide Accurate Information: Ensure that the information provided about your educational background, skills, and career aspirations is truthful.
4. Respect Session Fees & Platform Rules:
   • Do not negotiate, bargain, or request free mentorship sessions unless explicitly allowed by the mentor.
   • All payments must be processed through the Distance Connect platform to ensure compliance.
5. Maintain Professionalism & Confidentiality:
   • Do not share session recordings, personal mentor information, or private discussions without prior consent.
   • Do not use the mentorship relationship for inappropriate personal or business networking beyond the agreed mentorship goals.

4. Prohibited Activities for Both Mentors and Mentees

1. Sharing Contact Information Outside the Platform: Avoid direct personal exchanges (e.g., personal emails, WhatsApp numbers) unless necessary and consented to by both parties.
2. Engaging in Financial Transactions Outside Distance Connect: This includes payments, investments, or loan requests between mentors and mentees.
3. Plagiarism or Academic Dishonesty: Seeking help in completing exams, assignments, or research papers in a manner that violates academic integrity.
4. Spamming, Scamming, or Malicious Activities: No promotion of fake job offers, deceptive employment schemes, or illegal activities.

5. Reporting Violations & Dispute Resolution

1. How to Report Violations:
   • If you experience any form of misconduct, harassment, or breach of this Code, report it via support@distanceconnect.in or through the provided contact form.
   • Attach relevant evidence (screenshots, emails, chat records, etc.) to support your complaint.
2. Investigation Process:
   • The Distance Connect team will review complaints within 7 business days.
   • Both parties may be required to provide statements or additional proof.
3. Possible Actions Against Violators:
   • Warning: First-time minor violations may result in a formal warning.
   • Account Suspension: Repeated or serious violations may lead to temporary or permanent suspension.
   • Legal Action: If a violation involves fraud, abuse, or legal breaches, the platform reserves the right to take appropriate legal action under Indian law.

6. Limitation of Liability

Distance Connect is a facilitator of mentorship services and does not guarantee employment, job placement, or the accuracy of information provided by mentors or mentees.

The platform is not liable for any misconduct, misrepresentation, or actions taken by individual users beyond its direct control.

7. Amendments & Updates

Distance Connect reserves the right to modify this Code of Conduct at any time. Users will be notified of any significant updates.

Continued use of the platform constitutes acceptance of revised policies.