IBE's code of business ethics

Our mission is to lead the dissemination of knowledge and good practice in business ethics.

Introduction by the Chairman of the Trustees

As a registered UK charity, the trustees and staff of The Institute of Business Ethics (IBE) seek to provide an effective service to its subscribers, the business community and the wider public.

The IBE is accountable, through the Trustees, to the Charity Commission. It will conduct its affairs in accordance with all relevant legislation.

The IBE aims to conduct its affairs responsibly and in an open manner. We will endeavour to maintain the highest standard of practice in all our work and in our dealings with those outside the organisation.

This code of ethics sets out how we intend these core values should be applied in our dealings with those with whom we work.

Signed: Chris Moorhouse
Chairman of Trustees
Date: June 2007

Management Commitment   Employees   Subscribers   Suppliers   Community   Trustees   Implementation

Management Commitment

The Institute will do all in its power to conform to the letter and spirit of this code. In order to monitor its performance in this regard, the IBE has sought and obtained accreditation from Good Corporation. This takes into account the views of all our stakeholder groups and, through an independent assessment process, verifies that we 'practice what we proclaim'. A summary of GoodCorporation's report is available on our website, together with the Trustees' Annual Report & Accounts.

The work of the Institute, as expressed in its publications, meetings and other activities, will endeavour to be objective and reflect current best practice in topics addressed.

The Institute has identified five principle constituents to whom it has a responsibility: employees; subscribers and other users of our services; suppliers; the community and those who govern us - the Charity Commission and Trustees.

Employees

The IBE values its staff highly and respects their dignity and rights. We -

• will be open and honest with our staff;
• provide clear and fair terms of employment;
• provide clean, healthy, safe and secure working conditions;
• have a fair remuneration policy;
• strive for equal opportunities;
• encourage staff to develop skills and progress in their careers;
• do not tolerate any harassment of our staff of any kind;
• do not discriminate on any grounds other than the ability to work effectively;
• only employ those who are eligible to work;
• meet requests for flexible working arrangements wherever possible.
  

Subscribers and other users of our services

The IBE treats its subscribers and others for whom it provides services with respect. We -

• seek to be honest and fair in our relationships;
• seek to provide standards of agreed service;
• take all reasonable steps to ensure that reports, training and other services we provide are of a high quality;
• treat all complaints seriously;
• treat all corporate and personal information confidentially.
  

Suppliers

The IBE treats its suppliers with respect. We-

• seek to be honest and fair in our relationships with suppliers including those from whom we commission work;
• pay suppliers in accordance with agreed terms;
• have a policy not to offer, pay or accept bribes or substantial favours;
• encourage suppliers to abide by the principles of our code;
• aim to procure goods and services from those demonstrating good ethical practice.
  
  

Community and environment

The IBE seeks to be a good corporate citizen. We -

• will make sure that there is a clear public benefit in our programmes;
• seek to be sensitive to our landlord's and the local community's needs;
• try to protect and preserve the local environment;
• endeavour to support ethical trade in our purchasing practices.
  

Governance

The IBE's trustees are accountable to the Charity Commission and will abide by its guidelines. We -

• report to the Commission in a timely and transparent fashion
• to act only in the best interests of the IBE

The IBE's employees are accountable to the trustees for the use of IBE's funds. We -

• make available financial reports to our trustees that are accurate and timely and give a fair understanding of the current and future prospects of the organisation;
• communicate honestly our policies, achievements and prospects;
• when appropriate, invest financial resources in ethical funds;
• aim to protect IBE funds, manage risks and ensure that donations are used for the purpose for which they were given;
• encourage trustees to participate in IBE activities.
  

Implementation

This code will be given and explained to all staff, including those who are temporary or on contract. They will be expected to work within its letter and spirit.

Good Corporation will be asked annually to assess how the Institute is performing in relation to this code. The code will be reviewed every three years.

If advice on the code's contents and application is required, the Directors or the Chairman of the Trustees should be asked.

The most recent Trustees' Annual Report & Accounts is available here >>
IBE is an accredited GoodCorporation. You can view a summary of our GoodCorporation assessment here >>