| 1. Endorsement
Make sure that
the code is endorsed by the Chairman and CEO 2. Integration
Produce a strategy for integrating the code into the running of the business at
the time that it is issued. 3. Circulation
Send the code to all
employees in a readable and portable form and give it to all employees joining
the company. 4. Personal Response
Give all staff the personal
opportunity to respond to the content of the code. An employee should know how
to react if he or she is faced with a potential breach of the code or is in doubt
about a course of action involving an ethical choice. 5. Affirmation
Have a procedure for managers and supervisors regularly to state that they and
their staff understand and apply the provisions of the code and raise matters
not covered by it. 6. Contracts
Consider making adherence to
the code obligatory by including reference to it in all contracts of employment
and linking it with disciplinary procedures. 7. Regular Review
Have a procedure for regular review and updating the code 8. Enforcement
Employees and others should be aware of the consequences of breaching the code 9.
Training
Ask those responsible for company training programmes at all
levels to include issues raised by the code in their programmes. 10.
Translation
See that the code is translated for use in overseas subsidiaries
or other places where English is not the principal language 11. Distribution
Make copies of the code available to business partners (suppliers, customers etc.),
and expect their compliance 12. Annual Report
Reproduce or insert
a copy of the code in the Annual Report so that shareholders and a wider public
know about the company's position on ethical matters
The
IBE publication 'Developing a Code of Business Ethics' offers further guidance
You may also find our training course 'Developing
& Implementing a Code of Business Ethics' helpful.
* A revised (2001) version which appeared first in Applying
Codes of Business Ethics IBE, London 1995
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