Ethical Responsibilities
The Company’s Board of Directors has adopted this
Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (the “Code”).
The Code applies to all Directors and all employees of the
Company and its subsidiaries starting from the top of the
organization. Compliance with the Code and the Compliance
Program is a condition of employment.
We must conduct Company business in accordance with all
applicable laws, regulations and contractual obligations.
We must behave ethically and with integrity and always follow
the principles of the Compliance Program when making business
decisions.
It is each employee’s responsibility to be familiar
with our Code of Business Ethics and Conduct and adhere
to all Company policies and procedures. Claims of ignorance,
good intentions, or using poor judgment will not be accepted
as excuses for non-compliance. Violations of the Code, law
or Company policies and procedures, or failure to report
such violations, will result in disciplinary action up to
and including termination. Maintaining ethical standards
is in everyone’s interest. If we know of a problem,
we must report it to our Supervisor, another Corporate Resource
or contact the Corporate Integrity HOTLINE.
It is the responsibility of each employee to be truthful
and cooperate fully with any Company-related investigation
or audit. We must furnish all related materials and facts
concerning the suspected violation. We must ensure that
the information we furnish is accurate, complete, and is
not misleading.
All suspected violations of the Code or Company policies
and procedures are taken seriously and investigated. The
Compliance Department may enlist other areas of the Company
to review the information supplied or conduct their own
investigation.
Supervisors are responsible for the actions of their employees.
Supervisors have a special responsibility to create and
sustain a work environment in which employees know that
ethical and legal behavior is expected of them. Supervisors
are held accountable for making sure that their employees
understand and apply the ethical standards set out in the
Code. To do so, Supervisors must listen to their employees
and act on their concerns. Leadership requires setting a
personal example of high ethical standards in the performance
of one's job.
The term “Supervisor” is used throughout the
Code in the general sense, meaning to include any person
who directly supervises a Company employee regardless of
his or her title.
In accordance with the Compliance Program or other Company
policies and procedures, we may be asked to complete a certification
form pertaining to training we attend, mandated requirements
we fulfill or the work we produce or are responsible to
oversee. These certifications must always be completed within
the time frame specified. If we are concerned regarding
the certification process or any supporting documentation
that may be required, we should consult with our Supervisor
or another Corporate Resource.
Return to the Code of
Conduct Page