Code of Business Ethics and Conduct - One Option to Get Yours Started!

Why recreate the wheel when you can start with the wheel and adjust it to meet your mobility needs.

Codes of Business Ethics and Conduct Policies are typically very generic in nature.  Therefore they lend themselves to be used by almost any firm, especially within an industry.  This type of information is typically not proprietary nor confidential because most organizations want their customers and public to know their company philosophy on this. 

Firms do add their own personal spin to the policies so always check for any confidentiality or trademark issues first.  Typically the confidentiality/trademark/copyright issues will apply only to a firm’s added spin or personal touch and not to the generic legal terms of the Code of Ethics.  At a minimum one can always use any information gleaned as a great guide/outline for their firm. 

Contrast the above to the more company proprietary Financial, Accounting, and Cost Policies where most firms, rightly so, consider this type of information highly proprietary and confidential and you will not find them so readily available.  So if you have not yet set up your Code of Ethics/Conduct Policy, here is one option with steps to follow:

  1. Search Internet using key words "Code of Business Ethics and Conduct".   
  2. Review the many and various examples of actual firms’ policies.   
  3. Choose one you feel most closely meets your firms ideals and goals.   
  4. Develop your firms Policy from chosen guideline.   
  5. Review document several times and by more than one person, if possible.   
  6. Save in your file.   
  7. Print out and bind.   
  8. Distribute to all current employees.   
  9. Schedule a meeting to discuss and obtain feedback from employees.   
  10. Make any agreed to changes.   
  11. Finalize, Date, Print.    
  12. Distribute Final and File.   
  13. Make a note to periodically visit the document for updates.   
  14. Ensure all new hires obtain a copy.   
  15. Periodically discuss any related issues during staff meetings.  

 

Oh yea, don't forget to Comply with your policies once they are documented!