Code Of Conduct In Business Ethics

Codes of conduct are pretty standard for most businesses these days. It is important for a company to stress their transparency to their customers and let their employees know that corruption will not be tolerated. Robert Noyce, inventor of the silicon chip, once said “If ethics are poor at the top, that behavior is copied down through the organization.” Poor ethics can be like a virus, if allowed for one it will spread. These policies are put into place for everyone in the company from the VP’s office to the mailroom. DST Systems, Inc. has a very lengthy Business Ethics and Compliance Policy, which is standard for a company of its size. A segment of this policy discusses anti-corruption. It is the responsibility of the employees to act in

The Board of Ethics defines "conflict of interest" as a situation in which personal and/or financial considerations have the potential to influence or compromise professional judgment in clinical service, research, consultation, instruction, administration, or any other professional activity. There are many examples of conflicts of interest. I have witnessed on many occasions where an employee had to quit or be moved to a different department to avoid reporting to a supervisor that is a close friend or relative. A manager dating a direct report is another. Albeit these are examples of small conflicts of interest, there are some that affect the business of the company. A member of the company board of directors accepts fees and provides advice to a company that is in direct competition with the company on whose board of directors he sits. A purchasing agent accepts trips and gifts from a vendor and then selects the vendor's products for purchase by the company. A CFO negotiates an agreement in his employer's best interests for a stock option plan from which he will directly benefit (Heathfield). These are some major infractions, but no matter how big or small an infraction is it is still against company

First and foremost, it is a requirement that all employees take electronic trainings that cover the Anti-Corruption Policy. A peremptory test is given at the end of the trainings. The policy is also incorporated into the orientation activities. This way, new employees are subjected to the policy right away. Like all policies and procedures, the Anti-Corruption Policy is included in the employee handbook. To go beyond their duty, DST holds an annual town hall meeting where policies are discussed. Ethics and anti-corruption is a huge part of this meeting. A theme is chosen every year with last year’s being SPEAK UP. Speak up meaning that all employees are responsible for reporting any actions that can be damaging to the reputation of the company. Policy noncompliance states that The Standards require you to speak up if you believe a violation of the letter or spirit of this Policy is occurring. For failure to comply with this Policy (including failure to report a violation or cooperate in an investigation), your employment or contractor relationship may be terminated and DST may exercise other rights, including its rights under “at will” employment arrangements. Violators may also be individually subject to imprisonment and fines under applicable laws and regulations. We will not retaliate against any person who raises a concern in good faith, either to us, through the Business Conduct Line, or to a governmental entity. And