The Ethical Code of Conduct for Employees and Stakeholders (Essay Sample)

Ethical Code of Conduct
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Institutional Affiliation
The Ethical Code of Conduct for Employees and Stakeholders
Alongside the company's core values, the mission and vision of our company, Integrity is very vital in the success of our company. It involves doing what is right for us and for the good of the company. This will positively reflect in our general public and improve our company's competitiveness. Every employee and company stakeholder is obliged to abide by the code of ethics as outlined by this document.
Responsibilities of the Employees and Company Stakeholders
Every employee and stakeholder of the company's products must abide by the laws of their respective countries. Avoid being caught up in improper behavior so as to safeguard the image of the company.
The Role of Managers in the Implementation of the Company's Ethical Code
The managers should do the following to make sure that the company's code of conduct is followed:
* Create opportunities for the employees and stakeholders to discuss and understand the company's code of ethical conduct (Barth, 2003). 
* Encourage employees to act according to the company's ethical codes rather than to focus on profit maximization functions only.
* Put measures to stop the violation of the company's ethical code of conduct.
* Ensure that all the company employees and stakeholders understand the company's code of conduct.
* Create an enabling environment for all the employees and stakeholders to voice out issues relating to the company's ethical code of conduct.
* Be quick to respond to employee questions regarding the company's ethical codes of conduct.
The Legal Regulations of Conducting Business Overseas
Our company conducts business in many countries around the world. Therefore employees are hired in different respective countries. With this regards, every employee must observe their respective country's rules and regulations. Employees are advised to follow the country's law in case of conflicts between the company's ethical codes and a particular law in the country (Barth, 2003). However, the company's employees and stakeholders are bound to follow the laws and provisions of the United States since this company has been incorporated in the US.
Guidelines for adherence to EEOC, ADA, and Civil Rights laws
The company is committed to adhering to the requirements of EEOC, ADA and the civil rights laws. Observing confidentiality, good record keeping, and doing investigations into any unethical issue in company are part of the efforts made by the company in order to comply with EEOC, ADA and the civil rights laws.
Confidentiality and Anonymity of Employees Views
The company respects the privacy and confidentiality of employees. When employees decide to report something to the ethics office, they are free to report anonymously or provide their identities. Though the company encourages employees to provide their identities when reporting any ethical issues for so as to help in further communications and feedbacks, employee confidentiality is highly respected.
In order to help the company in maintain confidentiality, an employee is advised to stop discussing issues they have reported to the ethics office with other employees.
Investigation
The company is very keen to ensure that all the reports concerning the violation of the ethical code of conduct are thoroughly investigated. However, the company conducts its investigations in a very confidential manner. An appropriate action is taken if the investigations reveal gross misconduct leading to the violation of the ethical code of conduct. Sometimes the company may find it is necessary to involve an employee in the process of conducting the investigation. Therefore, we advise all our employees to fully cooperate and honestly give out the relevant information.
No Retaliation After the Submission of Information to the Ethics Office
Employees should always cooperate when needed to assist in giving out the required information to help in an investigation. Employees should not fear reporting to the company in case of the violation of the ethical codes of conduct. According to the company's ethical codes of conduct, it is an offence for the company management at any level to retaliate against any employee who reports unethical behavior. Such retaliation in the form of demotions, adverse employment actions against an employee, loss of allowances and any form of discrimination amounts to ethical misconduct.
You should always treat people who were part of the investigating team with utmost respect and courtesy. A person who retaliated against another employee after an investigation should be reported to the management or the ethics office. The company is keen to protect all employees who honestly raise ethical issues. However, any employee who decides to raise false accusations against another person or an office violates the company's ethical code of conduct.
Keeping of the Company's Financial and Business Records
Keeping of accurate and up to date business records is the responsibility of every employee. Excellent keeping of reports as well as good reporting gives the company a good reputation. Accurate keeping of records also ensures that the company meets its regulatory and legal requirements (Barth, 2003). 
* Everyone should observe the following to ensure accurate records are kept:
* Do not document false information. Inaccurate documentation may lead to wrong forecast of the company's future targets.
* Avoid distorting the nature of any information.
* All the transactions should be entered in the relevant accounting books and at the right time. Delaying or accelerating the transactions to meet the set revenue targets is not allowed.
* No employee of the company should allow another person or company evade taxes in a different country. To avoid tax evasion, payments should be made to the person or the company that supplied a particular service or product (Barth, 2003). 
Protecting Company Assets
Employees should always protect company assets. The use of the company assets for personal gains or any other gains that does not serve the interests of the company is unethical. Stealing of the company assets is not allowed. Everyone should use the company assets responsively.
Guidelines for the use of Company Assets
* Employees should not misuse their time at work. Engaging in other activities during working hours in the workplace is not allowed. Such activities will interfere with the execution of company's assigned duties (Aguilar, 1994).
* Employees should always observe the acceptable use policy to guide on how to use the company assets. Do not use company assets to engage in unethical activities such as gambling and watching pornography.
* Employees should not take advantage of their company's positions to earn personal financial gain.
* Loans should not be given to any member of the executive board. Any loan given to an employee must be approved by the board of management on time.
The use of the Company Information
Employees should be aware of the public and nonpublic information of the company. Nonpublic information comprises of the in