1. Introduction

This Code of Ethics policy aims to define and communicate the standards and principles that employees are expected to follow within the company. The goal of the policy is to foster ethical behavior, accountability, and integrity throughout the organization.

2. Core Principles 

2.1. Ethical Behaviour 

Ethical behavior refers to actions and decisions that align with moral principles and values of right, wrong, and fair. It is a principle that is core to building trust and credibility within the organization.

Example: When the company does as advertised such as when a medicine is sold that is advertised as fever medicine or when a soap that kills 98% of bacteria. If the company is selling these products that are falsely advertised or the quality is not as promised then it is known as the unethical practice of false advertising.

2.2. Accountability

It refers to the responsibility one must take for their actions and decisions. This is especially important for leaders of an organization. Accountability helps in maintaining trust and credibility. It ensures that employees and the company are responsible for their performance. It helps build a culture of transparency and accountability.

Example: A project manager who takes responsibility for delays or setbacks during the project's lifetime.

2.3. Integrity

Integrity is adhering to moral values and principles. It is about being honest and having strong moral character. Maintaining integrity becomes the foundation of trust and responsibility. Maintaining integrity helps prevent unethical behavior and employees are acting in the best interest of the stakeholders.

Example: An employee who refuses bribes to give preferential treatment to some. This means that all are treated fairly in the eyes of the employee and company as well as the stakeholders.

2.4 Confidentiality

Employees must maintain confidentiality and respect for their colleagues and the company. Maintaining confidentiality prevents the misuse of the information in the hands of unauthorized persons, which can lead to legal issues and lower the trust placed in the company.

Example: An Attorney and Client Confidentiality is an example where the client can share even sensitive information that can be used to harm the client. Confidentiality is maintained and protected by law so the attorney may not use confidential information to harm the client or to share it. So breaking confidentiality can lead to harm to the client but also legal repercussions to the one who broke the agreement.

3. Objective

The main objectives of the Code of Ethics policy are : 

1. To promote Ethical Behavior, fairness, and respect.

Encourages an environment where ethical behavior, fairness, and mutual respect are the basis of all interactions. Its objective is to create a positive work environment where the employees feel valued and respected, which in turn leads to a positive work environment.

1. Enhance and maintain the company’s value from an ethical standpoint.

The objective means to uphold and strengthen the company’s reputation and value through ethical practices. Maintaining a strong positive ethical reputation and stance helps enhance the company’s reputation among stakeholders like investors, customers, and employees.

1. To foster ethical leadership and enhance professional development.

The objective is to develop ethical leaders who lead by example for other employees and make decisions that reflect the company's values.

4. Guidelines

4.1. Professional Responsibility

Refers to the responsibility the employee has to the company and its stakeholders(eg: employees, executives, customers, society, etc) from an ethical and legal standpoint.

The ethical responsibilities refer to employees(fair treatment and confidentiality), executives(transparency and loyalty), customers(honesty and quality service), and society(corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ethical conduct). 

Legal responsibility refers to compliance with various laws such as labor, environmental, and industrial laws and ensuring all business practices are transparent. Reporting of unethical and illegal practices is also a legal obligation.

The various ways to practice professional responsibility are :

• Adherence to Standards: Ensure all actions reflect positively on the company.
• Compliance with laws: Ensure all actions are taken in compliance with laws
• Respect and fairness: maintain the spirit of fairness and respect for the company and co-workers.
• Confidentiality: Maintain confidentiality of co-workers and company’s sensitive information
• Conflict of interest: Inform the right authorities when personal responsibility and company responsibility conflict.

4.2. Professional Development

Professional development is the development of one’s professional competencies that contribute to the company.

So employees must follow the following:

• Attend workshops, seminars, and training sessions to support continuous learning.
• Share best practices with colleagues to foster a culture of learning and improvement.
• Pursue relevant certification to validate competencies and encourage employees to do the same.

4.3. Ethical Leadership

Ethical leadership is a core practice that reflects the quote, “As Above so Below”. It means that the ethical practices followed by leaders affect the practices followed by subordinates.

Hence the following should be done:

• Leadership must follow ethical practices to lead by example, and to be role models.
• They must practice accountability in decision-making and address unethical behavior promptly and fairly.

5. Implementation And Enforcement

5.1. Training

Regular training will be provided on ethical standards, to ensure all employees understand the value of ethics and how to apply it.

The training will involve:

• A workshop where information is disseminated on unethical practices (eg: accepting bribes, theft, verbal and physical harassment, etc)
• Training such as Diversity Training, Sexual Harassment Training, Training Reporting of Unethical Practices, Ethics Training- Supervisor Edition, Anti-Bribery And Corruption Training, and Ethical Code of Conduct Training.

5.2. Reporting Mechanism

The use of reporting mechanisms like talking to respective HR representatives and using online or offline confidential means of reporting should be encouraged to report unethical practices.

5.3. Disciplinary Actions

The company can give verbal warning or written warning. If subsequent actions do not prove to be sufficient then the company can suspend or terminate the employee as well.

6. Review

Regular review of the code of conduct will done by the company and the policy will be updated in accordance with and compliance with laws, regulations, and organizational values.

Employees are encouraged to provide feedback in areas of improvement for the policies through the respective means provided by the organization.