Code of Ethics
Code of Ethics
[YOUR COMPANY NAME] will conduct its business honestly and ethically wherever we
operate in the world. We will constantly improve the quality of our services, products and
operations and will create a reputation for honesty, fairness, respect, responsibility,
integrity, trust and sound business judgment. No illegal or unethical conduct on the part of
officers, directors, employees or affiliates is in the company’s best interest. [YOUR
COMPANY NAME] will not compromise its principles for short-term advantage. The ethical
performance of this company is the sum of the ethics of the men and women who work
here. Thus, we are all expected to adhere to high standards of personal integrity.
Officers, directors, and employees of the company must never permit their personal
interests to conflict, or appear to conflict, with the interests of the company, its clients or
affiliates. Officers, directors and employees must be particularly careful to avoid
representing [YOUR COMPANY NAME] in any transaction with others with whom there is any
outside business affiliation or relationship. Officers, directors, and employees shall avoid
using their company contacts to advance their private business or personal interests at the
expense of the company, its clients or affiliates.
Officers, directors and employees of [YOUR COMPANY NAME] will often come into contact
with, or have possession of, proprietary, confidential or business-sensitive information and
must take appropriate steps to assure that such information is strictly safeguarded. This
information – whether it is on behalf of our company or any of our clients or affiliates –
could include strategic business plans, operating results, marketing strategies, customer
lists, personnel records, upcoming acquisitions and divestitures, new investments, and
manufacturing costs, processes and methods. Proprietary, confidential and sensitive
business information about this company, other companies, individuals and entities should
be treated with sensitivity and discretion and only be disseminated on a need-to-know
basis.
Misuse of material inside information in connection with trading in the company’s securities
can expose an individual to civil liability and penalties under the [ACT]. Under this Act,
directors, officers, and employees in possession of material information not available to the
public are “insiders.” Spouses, friends, suppliers, brokers, and others outside the company
who may have acquired the information directly or indirectly from a director, officer or
employee are also “insiders.” The Act prohibits insiders from trading in, or recommending
the sale or purchase of, the company’s securities, while such inside information is regarded
as “material”, or if it is important enough to influence you or any other person in the
purchase or sale of securities of any company with which we do business, which could be
affected by the inside information. The following guidelines should be followed in dealing
with inside information:
Officers, directors and employees will seek to report all information accurately and honestly,
and as otherwise required by applicable reporting requirements.
Officers, directors and employees will refrain from gathering competitor intelligence by
illegitimate means and refrain from acting on knowledge which has been gathered in such a
manner. The officers, directors and employees of [YOUR COMPANY NAME] will seek to avoid
exaggerating or disparaging comparisons of the services and competence of their
competitors.
Officers, directors and employees will obey all Equal Employment Opportunity laws and act
with respect and responsibility towards others in all of their dealings.
Officers, directors and employees will remain personally balanced so that their personal life
will not interfere with their ability to deliver quality products or services to the company and
its clients.
Officers, directors and employees agree to disclose unethical, dishonest, fraudulent and
illegal behavior, or the violation of company policies and procedures, directly to
management.
Violation of this Code of Ethics can result in discipline, including possible termination. The
degree of discipline relates in part to whether there was a voluntary disclosure of any ethical
violation and whether or not the violator cooperated in any subsequent investigation.
Remember that good ethics is good business