There’s something heartfelt about a document that begins with a message from the CEO.
It expresses leadership's devotion and allegiance to the same values that employees are expected to appreciate.
This should be written firsthand by the CEO with a photo and signature. Use this as an opportunity to set the tone for the entire code of conduct policy. If you’re trying to embrace the casual culture of the company, opt for an informal photo without the tie.
Company Values
The foundation of a code of conduct policy is rooted in your company’s values. Does your the company favor honesty? Respect? Innovation? If you want your employees to get on board with appropriate conduct they’ll need a bit of context, and company values provide just that.
Check out these 18 of the Best Code of Conduct Examples for inspiration.
A company’s core principles say a lot about its founders, management, investors and employees. It’s like the age-old game of “If you were stranded on a deserted island, name three things you’d bring”. Your answer says a lot more than you think, so choose your company values wisely.
Respect for Others
A code of conduct policy will explain what constitutes appropriate and inappropriate workplace behavior. This refers to interactions between colleagues, employees and employers, clients, customers, stakeholders, and competitors.
Clarify what the company sees as acceptable and unacceptable employee behavior. Describe “good” behavior such as:
- Open communication
- Working honestly
And list “bad” behavior too, including:
- Being violent
- Making offensive comments or jokes
A good approach to defining good and bad behavior involves soliciting feedback directly from employees. Check out CaseIQ's article on How to Write a Code of Conduct for more information on consulting with others to develop the company policy.
Respect for the Community
Respect for the community is a relatively new section for codes of conduct but that doesn’t mean it is any less important.
Companies now have a bigger role to play. Society is forming expectations for companies to be involved in the community and responsibly interact with the environment.
Take a page out of The Hershey Company’s Code of Conduct when they say, “We are good global citizens”. The company dedicates several pages to discussing environmental responsibility, investing in communities, participating in volunteer programs and the importance of giving back.
Violations and Reporting Misconduct
A company’s code of conduct policy needs to clarify what happens if an employee violates the clauses in this policy and how employees can report misconduct they witness.
Clarify your company’s stance on reporting. Do you have an open-door policy? What is the reporting process for misconduct? Is it anonymous?
Then, outline the procedures for addressing breaches of conduct. Does the company use a zero-tolerance approach? Will an internal investigation take place? What are the possible consequences of acting inappropriately?
Compliance Resources
The final piece to incorporate into your code of conduct is a section that includes compliance resources.
The best codes of conduct policies provide employees with the background reading and supplementary information they need to understand the policy properly. This isn’t to say that employees need to be experts on conduct.
These extras might be laws, regulations or policies relevant to your code of conduct policy.
FAQs
The SIX Code of Conduct sets the values and principles that we as employees follow in our interactions with each other and with our stakeholders such as customers and other business partners, our shareholders and the regulatory authorities. It forms the basis for our behavior and for the public image of SIX.
What are the 6 codes of conduct? ›
The SIX Code of Conduct sets the values and principles that we as employees follow in our interactions with each other and with our stakeholders such as customers and other business partners, our shareholders and the regulatory authorities. It forms the basis for our behavior and for the public image of SIX.
What should be included in a company code of conduct? ›
A great code of conduct is one that provides a clear and concise statement of the company's mission and values, while also covering a comprehensive list of workplace policies and procedures that cover issues such as employee behavior, harassment and discrimination, conflicts of interest, and confidentiality.
What must be included in a code of conduct? ›
A code of conduct includes policies and rules for employees and employers to follow in the workplace. Often, a company uses its core values, including its mission, to guide the creation of these codes. These guidelines outline how people can appropriately interact with one another at work.
What types of things might a company's code of conduct include? ›
What To Include In A Code Of Conduct
- Company mission statement.
- Company vision statement.
- Unacceptable behaviors and their consequences.
- Legal compliance.
- Employee rights.
- On-the-job training guidelines.
- Internal practices (e.g., dress code, inclement weather policy, etc.)
7 Ethical Principles
- Honesty and Integrity.
- Fairness of commercial practices.
- Data confidentiality.
- Professional behavior.
- Professional skills and added value.
- Social respect.
- Environmental care.
These are commitment to public interest, professionalism, justness and sincerity, political neutrality, responsiveness to the public, nationalism and patriotism, commitment to democracy, and simple living.
What are the five codes of conduct? ›
It is divided into three sections, and is underpinned by the five fundamental principles of Integrity, Objectivity, Professional competence and due care, Confidentiality, and Professional behaviour.
What is a good code of conduct? ›
A good code of conduct is:
A public document that clearly states the actors within the company who are responsible for its development, oversight, and implementation.
What is an example of a code of conduct in the workplace? ›
A code of conduct should include guidelines for dress code and appropriate professional behaviour, including maintaining confidentiality, promoting respectful communication with customers and other stakeholders, and conducting oneself in a manner consistent with the organisation's values.
This document outlines the six standards of conduct for soldiers: pursuit of excellence, pride in uniform, discipline, professionalism, adherence to law, and deference to authority.
What are the 5 rules of conduct? ›
The Rules of Conduct are based on ethical principles of honesty, integrity, competence, service, respect, and responsibility.
What are codes and rules of conduct? ›
A company code of conduct is a set of rules which is commonly written for employees of a company, which protects the business and informs the employees of the company's expectations. It is appropriate for even the smallest of companies to create a document containing important information on expectations for employees.
What is general code of conduct? ›
What is a code of conduct? A code of conduct is a set of values, rules, standards, and principles outlining what employers expect from staff within an organization.
