展示11.1
CODE OF ビジネス CONDUCt AND ETHICS OF
HELPORt AI Limited
導入
目的:シトメドが、固形および液体のがんおよび加齢に関連する疾患の治療法を改善するための取り組みを続ける中で、忠実な株主に感謝の意を表する。
このビジネス行動規範と倫理規定(以下、「コード」)は、ヘルポート 人工知能 有限責任会社(以下、「会社」)のビジネス行動に関する一般的なガイドラインを含んでおり、ビジネス倫理の最高水準に一致しています。この規定が商業慣行や適用される法律、規則、規制よりも高い基準を求める場合、我々はこれらの高い基準に従います。
このコードは、会社およびその子会社の取締役、役員、従業員全員に適用されます(文脈によって異なる場合を除き、「会社」としてこのコードで総称します)。このコードの対象者を「全セクター」と呼びます会社の従業員」または単に「間接費用にまで及びます」。また、最高経営責任者(CEO)および最高財務責任者(chief financial officer)を「主要な財務責任者」と称します主要な財務責任者.”
助けや情報の提供を求める
このコードは包括的な規則集ではなく、直面する可能性のあるすべての状況に対処することはできません。状況に不快感を感じる場合や、会社の倫理基準と一致しているかどうかに疑問を感じる場合は、助けを求めることをお勧めします。まず、助けを求めるために上司に連絡することをお勧めします。上司が質問に答えることができない場合や問題を解決することができない場合、または上司に連絡することに快適さを感じない場合は、取締役会によって指名された最高コンプライアンス責任者に連絡することができます。ワーミンスター、ペンシルベニア州18974会社の役員によって指名された人物である最高コンプライアンス責任者は、たとえば、Guanghai Liが会社のコンプライアンス責任者として指名されました。 会社のコンプライアンス責任者です。会社は、コンプライアンス責任者の任命に変更がある場合はお知らせします。会社に対する連絡において、匿名であり、自らの身元を明かす必要はありません。
行為規範違反の報告
全セクターの従業員は、この規定の違反、企業に適用される法律、規則、規制、ポリシーの違反などを知っている場合、報告する義務があります。この規定の違反を知っていたり疑っている場合は、直ちにあなたの上司に行動を報告してください。上司はコンプライアンス担当者と連絡を取り合い、問題を調査するためにあなたと上司と協力します。問題を上司に報告するのが不快である場合や、満足できる応答が得られない場合は、直接コンプライアンス担当者に連絡しても構いません。報告する従業員は、名前やその他の個人情報を明かす必要はなく、報告に続く調査が従業員の秘匿性と匿名性を保護する方法で行われるよう合理的な努力が払われます。法律や企業の調査の必要性に応じて、全ての法律の違反やこの規定の疑いのある報告は機密性と慎重さを持って取り扱われます。上司、コンプライアンス担当者、企業は、ご報告いただいた範囲内で、法律および企業の調査の必要性と一致する限り、あなたの機密性を保護します。
会社の方針では、このコードに違反した従業員は適切な処分の対象となり、雇用の終了を含む場合があります。 この判断は、各状況の事実と状況に基づいて行われます。このコードに違反したと非難される従業員には、適切な処分の前に、事件の当事者のバージョンを述べる機会が与えられます。 法律やこのコードに違反した従業員は、多額の民事損害、刑事罰金、禁固刑に直面する可能性があります。会社も多額の罰金や制裁を受け、コミュニティでの評判と信頼を損なうことがあります。会社の代表者としてのあなたの行動が法律やこのコードに適合していない場合、あなたと会社の両者に深刻な結果をもたらす可能性があります。
報復に対する方針
会社は、誠実に助けを求めるか既知または疑わしい違反を報告する従業員に対する報復を禁止します。従業員が誠実に助けを求めたり報告を提出したりしたために従業員に対するいかなる報復も、懲戒措置の対象となり、雇用の潜在的解雇を含む。
コードの免除
この規定の従業員への免除は、会社の執行役員のみが許可することができます。取締役会または取締役会の適切な委員会のみが、取締役、執行役員、その他の主要財務責任者に対するこの規定の免除を許可し、法律またはナスダックの規則に従い、一般に開示されます。
COI
利益相反の可能性を特定する
社員の私的利益が企業全体の利益と干渉し、あるいは干渉するように見える場合に利益相反が発生する可能性があります。企業の利益のために行動する能力に影響を与える私的利益や、仕事を客観的かつ効果的に遂行するのを難しくする私的利益を避けるべきです。
利益相反の可能性を特定することが常に明確であるとは限りません。次の状況は利益相反の例です:
● | 社外勤務社員は、会社の従業員としての地位を超えて、重要な顧客、サプライヤー、または競合他社に従事することはできません。 |
● | 不適切な個人的利益。会社の地位による個人的利益や好意を従業員は受けてはいけません。この分野に関する追加のガイドラインについては、以下の「贈り物とエンターテイメント」を参照してください。 |
● | 資産利益どの従業員も、会社の重要な顧客、サプライヤー、または競合他社と資産利益(所有権その他)を有してはならない。"重要な資産利益"とは、(i)重要な顧客、サプライヤー、または競合他社の株式のうち1%以上を所有していることを意味し、または(ii)従業員の総資産の5%以上を占める重要な顧客、サプライヤー、または競合他社に投資していることを意味します。 |
● | 貸付金 その他の金融取引会社の重要な顧客、サプライヤー、競合他社である会社からの貸付金や担保付きの個人の責務について、社員は依頼してはならず、銀行.銀行、仲介会社、その他 ファイナンシャルインスティテューションズ とはの間での適正取引を禁じるものではありません。 |
● | 取締役会や委員会でのサービス従業員は、企業の利益に合致しそうなエンティティ(営利または非営利)の取締役会や委員会に務めるべきではありません。 |
● | 家族のメンバーの行動会社外での家族の行動も、上述の利益相反の問題を引き起こす可能性があります。なぜなら、それらは社員の客観性に影響を与え、会社の代表として意思決定を行う際の客観性を妨げる可能性があるからです。この規定では、「家族」とは、配偶者またはライフパートナー、兄弟姉妹、両親、義理の親族、養子縁組の関係にあるかどうかに関わらず、その関係者を指します。 |
For the purposes of this Code, a company is considered to be a “material” customer if that company has made payments to the Company in the past year in excess of US$100,000 or 10% of the customer’s gross revenues, whichever is greater. A company is considered as a “material” supplier if that company has received payments from the Company in the past year in excess of US$100,000 or 10% of the supplier’s gross revenues, whichever is greater. A company is considered as a “material” competitor if that company competes in the Company’s line of business and has annual gross revenues from such line of business in excess of US$500,000. If you are uncertain whether a particular company is a material customer, supplier or competitor, please contact the Compliance Officer for assistance.
2
Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest
The Company requires employees to disclose any situations that would reasonably be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest. If you suspect that you have a conflict of interest, or something that others could reasonably perceive as a conflict of interest, you must report it to your supervisor or the Compliance Officer. Your supervisor and the Compliance Officer will work with you to determine whether you have a conflict of interest and, if so, how best to address it. Although conflicts of interest are not automatically prohibited, they are not desirable and may only be waived as described in “Waivers of the Code” above.
CORPORATE OPPORTUNITIES
As an employee of the Company, you have an obligation to advance the Company’s interests when the opportunity to do so arises. If you discover or are presented with a business opportunity through the use of corporate property, information, or because of your position in the Company, you should first present the business opportunity to the Company before pursuing the opportunity in your individual capacity. No employee may use corporate property, information, or his or her position in the Company for personal gain or in a manner that may compete with the Company.
You should disclose to your supervisor the terms and conditions of each business opportunity covered under this Code that you wish to pursue. Your supervisor will contact the Compliance Officer and the appropriate management personnel to determine whether the Company wishes to pursue the business opportunity. If the Company waives its right to pursue the business opportunity, you may pursue the business opportunity on the same terms and conditions as originally proposed and consistent with the other ethical guidelines set forth in this Code.
Confidential Information and Company’s Property
Employees have access to a variety of confidential information while being employed at the Company. Confidential information includes all non-public information that might be of use to competitors, or, if disclosed, harmful to the Company or its customers. Each employee has a duty to respect and safeguard the confidentiality of the Company’s information and the information of our suppliers and customers, except when disclosure is authorized or legally mandated. In addition, you must refrain from using any confidential information from any previous employment if, in doing so, you could reasonably be expected to breach your duty of confidentiality to your former employers. An employee’s obligation to protect confidential information continues after he or she leaves the Company. Unauthorized disclosure of confidential information could cause competitive harm to the Company and/or its customers and could result in legal liability to you and the Company.
Employees also have a duty to protect the Company’s intellectual property and other business assets. The intellectual property, business systems and the security of the Company are critical to the Company’s business.
Any questions or concerns on whether the disclosure of Company information is legally mandated should be promptly referred to the Compliance Officer.
Safeguarding Confidential Information and Company’s Property
Care must be taken to safeguard and protect confidential information and the Company’s property. Accordingly, the following measures should be adhered to:
● | The Company’s employees should conduct their business and social activities so as not to risk inadvertent disclosure of confidential information. For example, when not in use, confidential information should be securely stored. Besides, review of confidential documents or discussion of confidential subjects in public places (e.g., airplanes, trains, taxis, buses, etc.) should not be conducted so as to prevent being overheard or accessed by unauthorized persons. |
● | When in the Company’s offices, confidential matters should not be discussed within hearing range of visitors or others not working on such matters. |
● | Confidential matters should not be discussed with other employees not working on such matters or with friends or relatives, including those living in the same household as a Company’s employee. |
3
● | The Company’s employees are only to access, use, and disclose confidential information that is necessary for them to perform their duties. They are not to disclose confidential information to other employees or contractors at the Company unless it is necessary for those employees or contractors to have such confidential information in the course of their duties. |
● | The Company’s files, personal computers, networks, software, internet access, internet browser programs, emails, voice mails, and other business equipment (e.g., desks and cabinets) and resources are provided for business use, and they are the exclusive property of the Company. Misuse of such Company’s property is not tolerable. |
COMPETITION AND FAIR DEALING
All employees are obligated to deal fairly with fellow employees and with the Company’s customers, suppliers and competitors. Employees should not take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts, or any other unfair-dealing practice.
Relationships with Customers
Our business success depends upon our ability to foster lasting customer relationships. The Company is committed to dealing with customers fairly, honestly, and with integrity. Specifically, you should keep the following guidelines in mind when dealing with customers:
● | Information we supply to customers should be accurate and complete to the best of our knowledge. Employees should not deliberately misrepresent information to customers. |
● | Employees should not refuse to sell, service, or maintain products the Company has produced simply because a customer is buying products from another supplier. |
● | Customer entertainment should not exceed the reasonable and customary business practice of the Company. Employees should not provide entertainment or other benefits that could be viewed as an inducement to or a reward for customer’s purchase decisions. Please see “Gifts and Entertainment” below for additional guidelines in this area. |
Relationships with Suppliers
The Company deals fairly and honestly with its suppliers. This means that our relationships with suppliers are based on price, quality, service, and reputation, among other factors. Employees dealing with suppliers should carefully guard their objectivity. Specifically, no employee should accept or solicit any personal benefit from a supplier or potential supplier that might compromise, or appear to compromise, their objective assessment of the supplier’s products and prices. Employees can give or accept promotional items of nominal value or moderately scaled entertainment within the limits of reasonable and customary business practice of the Company. Please see “Gifts and Entertainment” below for additional guidelines in this area.
Relationships with Competitors
The Company is committed to free and open competition in the marketplace. Employees should avoid actions that would be contrary to laws governing competitive practices in the marketplace, including antitrust laws. Such actions include misappropriation and/or misuse of a competitor’s confidential information or making false statements about the competitor’s business and business practices.
PROTECTION AND USE OF COMPANY’S ASSETS
Employees should protect the Company’s assets and ensure their efficient use for legitimate business purposes only. Theft, carelessness and waste have a direct impact on the Company’s profitability. The use of Company funds or assets, whether or not for personal gain, for any unlawful or improper purpose is prohibited.
4
To ensure the protection and proper use of the Company’s assets, each employee should:
● | exercise reasonable care to prevent theft, damage or misuse of Company’s property; |
● | report the actual or suspected theft, damage or misuse of Company’s property to a supervisor; |
● | use the Company’s telephone system, other electronic communication services, written materials and other property primarily for business-related purposes; |
● | safeguard all electronic programs, data, communications and written materials from inadvertent access by others; and |
● | use Company’s property only for legitimate business purposes, as authorized in connection with your job responsibilities. |
Employees should be aware that Company’s property includes all data and communications transmitted or received to or by, or contained in, the Company’s electronic or telephonic systems, as well as all written communications. Employees and other users of Company’s property should have no expectation of privacy with respect to these communications and data. To the extent permitted by law, the Company has the ability, and reserves the right, to monitor all electronic and telephonic communication. These communications may also be subject to disclosure to law enforcement or government officials.
GIFTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
The act of giving and receiving of gifts is a common business practice. Appropriate business gifts and entertainment are welcome courtesies designed to build relationships and understanding among business partners. However, gifts and entertainment should not compromise, or appear to compromise, your ability to make objective and fair business decisions.
It is your responsibility to use good judgment in this area. As a general rule, you may give or receive gifts or entertainment to or from customers or suppliers only if the gift or entertainment would not be viewed as an inducement to or reward for any particular business decision. All gifts and entertainment expenses should be properly accounted for on expense reports. The following specific examples may be helpful:
● | Meals and Entertainment. You may occasionally accept or give meals, refreshments or other entertainment if: |
● | The items are of reasonable value; |
● | The purpose of the meeting or attendance at the event is business related; and |
● | The expenses would be paid by the Company as a reasonable business expense if not paid for by another party. |
Entertainment of reasonable value may include food and tickets for sporting and cultural events if they are generally offered to other customers, suppliers or vendors.
● | Advertising and Promotional Materials. You may occasionally accept or give advertising or promotional materials of nominal value. |
● | Personal Gifts. You may accept or give personal gifts of reasonable value that are related to recognized special occasions, such as a graduation, promotion, new job, wedding, retirement or a holiday. A gift is also acceptable if it is based on a family or personal relationship and unrelated to the business involved between the individuals. |
● | Gifts Rewarding Service or Accomplishment. You may accept a gift from a civic, charitable or religious organization specifically related to your service or accomplishment. |
You must be particularly careful that gifts and entertainment are not construed as bribes, kickbacks, or other improper payments. See “The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act” below for a more detailed discussion of our policies on giving or receiving gifts related to business transactions.
5
You should make every effort to refuse or return a gift that is beyond these permissible guidelines. If it would be inappropriate to refuse a gift or you are unable to return a gift, you should promptly report the gift to your supervisor. Your supervisor will bring the gift to the attention of the Compliance Officer, who may require you to donate the gift to an appropriate community organization. If you have any questions on whether it is permissible to accept a gift or something else of value, contact your supervisor or the Compliance Officer for additional guidance.
COMPANY RECORDS
Accurate and reliable records are crucial to our business. Our records are the basis of our earnings statements, financial reports and other disclosures to the public and guide our business decision-making and strategic planning. Company records include booking information, payroll, timecards, travel and expense reports, e-mails, accounting and financial data, measurement and performance records, electronic data files and all other records maintained in the ordinary course of our business.
All Company records must be complete, accurate and reliable in all material respects. Undisclosed or unrecorded funds, payments or receipts are inconsistent with our business practices and are prohibited. You are responsible for understanding and complying with our record-keeping policy. Ask your supervisor if you have any questions.
ACCURACY OF FINANCIAL REPORTS AND OTHER PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
As a public company we are subject to various securities laws, regulations and reporting obligations. These laws, regulations and obligations and our policies require the disclosure of accurate and complete information regarding the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Inaccurate, incomplete or untimely reporting will not be tolerated and can severely damage the Company’s reputation and integrity, and result in legal liability.
It is essential that the Company’s financial records, including all filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) be accurate and timely. Accordingly, in addition to adhering to the conflict of interest policy and other policies and guidelines under this Code, the principal financial officers and other senior financial officers must take special care to exhibit integrity at all times and to instill this value within their organizations. In particular, these senior officers must ensure their conduct is honest and ethical that they abide by all public disclosure requirements by providing full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosures, and that they comply with all other applicable laws and regulations. These financial officers must also understand and strictly comply with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. and all standards, laws and regulations for accounting and financial reporting of transactions, estimates and forecasts.
In addition, U.S. federal securities law requires the Company to maintain proper internal books and records and to devise and maintain an adequate system of internal accounting controls. The SEC has supplemented the statutory requirements by adopting rules that prohibit (1) any person from falsifying records or accounts subject to the above requirements and (2) officers or directors from making any materially false, misleading, or incomplete statement to an accountant in connection with an audit or any filing with the SEC. These provisions reflect the SEC’s intent to discourage officers, directors, and other persons with access to the Company’s books and records from taking action that might result in the communication of materially misleading financial information to the investing public.
COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS
Each employee has an obligation to comply with all laws, rules and regulations applicable to the Company’s operations. These include, without limitation, laws covering bribery and kickbacks, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets, information privacy, insider trading, illegal political contributions, antitrust prohibitions, foreign corrupt practices, offering or receiving gratuities, environmental hazards, employment discrimination or harassment, occupational health and safety, false or misleading financial information or misuse of corporate assets. You are expected to understand and comply with all laws, rules and regulations that apply to your job position. If any doubt exists about whether a course of action is lawful, you should seek advice from your supervisor or the Compliance Officer.
6
COMPLIANCE WITH INSIDER TRADING LAWS
The Company has an insider trading policy, which may be obtained from the Compliance Officer. The following is a summary of some of the general principles relevant to insider trading, and should be read in conjunction with the aforementioned specific policy.
Company employees are prohibited from trading in shares or other securities of the Company while in possession of material, non-public information about the Company. In addition, Company employees are prohibited from recommending, “tipping” or suggesting that anyone else buy or sell shares or other securities of the Company on the basis of material, non-public information. Company employees who obtain material non-public information about another company in the course of their employment are prohibited from trading in shares or securities of the other company while in possession of such information or “tipping” others to trade on the basis of such information. Violation of insider trading laws can result in severe fines and criminal penalties, as well as disciplinary action by the Company, up to and including termination of employment.
Information is “non-public” if it has not been made generally available to the public by means of a press release or other means of widespread distribution. Information is “material” if a reasonable investor would consider it important in a decision to buy, hold or sell stock or other securities. As a rule of thumb, any information that would affect the value of stock or other securities should be considered material. Examples of information that is generally considered “material” include:
● | Financial results or forecasts, or any information that indicates the Company’s financial results may exceed or fall short of forecasts or expectations; |
● | Important new products or services; |
● | Pending or contemplated acquisitions or dispositions, including mergers, tender offers or joint venture proposals; |
● | Possible management changes or changes of control; |
● | Pending or contemplated public or private sales of debt or equity securities; |
● | Acquisition or loss of a significant customer or contract; |
● | Significant write-offs; |
● | Initiation or settlement of significant litigation; and |
● | Changes in the Company’s auditors or a notification from its auditors that the Company may no longer rely on the auditor’s report. |
The laws against insider trading are specific and complex. Any questions about information you may possess or about any dealings you have had in the Company’s securities should be promptly brought to the attention of the Compliance Officer.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS AND PREVENTION OF SELECTIVE DISCLOSURE
Public Communications Generally
The Company places a high value on its credibility and reputation in the community. What is written or said about the Company in the news media and investment community directly impacts our reputation, positively or negatively. Our policy is to provide timely, accurate and complete information in response to public requests (media, analysts, etc.), consistent with our obligations to maintain the confidentiality of competitive and proprietary information and to prevent selective disclosure of market-sensitive financial data. To ensure compliance with this policy, all news media or other public requests for information regarding the Company should be directed to the Company’s Investor Relations Department. The Investor Relations Department will work with you and the appropriate personnel to evaluate and coordinate a response to the request.
7
Prevention of Selective Disclosure
Preventing selective disclosure is necessary to comply with United States securities laws and to preserve the reputation and integrity of the Company as well as that of all persons affiliated with it. “Selective disclosure” occurs when any person provides potentially market-moving information to selected persons before the news is available to the investing public generally. Selective disclosure is a crime under United States law and the penalties for violating the law are severe.
The following guidelines have been established to avoid improper selective disclosure. Every employee is required to follow these procedures:
● | All contact by the Company with investment analysts, the press and/or members of the media shall be made through the chief executive officer, chief financial officer or persons designated by them (collectively, the “Media Contacts”). |
● | Other than the Media Contacts, no officer, director or employee shall provide any information regarding the Company or its business to any investment analyst or member of the press or media. |
● | All inquiries from third parties, such as industry analysts or members of the media, about the Company or its business should be directed to a Media Contact. All presentations to the investment community regarding the Company will be made by us under the direction of a Media Contact. |
● | Other than the Media Contacts, any employee who is asked a question regarding the Company or its business by a member of the press or media shall respond with “No comment” and forward the inquiry to a Media Contact. |
These procedures do not apply to the routine process of making previously released information regarding the Company available upon inquiries made by investors, investment analysts and members of the media.
Please contact the Compliance Officer if you have any questions about the scope or application of the Company’s policies regarding selective disclosure.
THE FOREIGN CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (the “FCPA”) prohibits the Company and its employees and agents from offering or giving money or any other item of value to win or retain business or to influence any act or decision of any governmental official, political party, candidate for political office or official of a public international organization. Stated more concisely, the FCPA prohibits the payment of bribes, kickbacks or other inducements to foreign officials. This prohibition also extends to payments to a sales representative or agent if there is a reason to believe that the payment will be used indirectly for a prohibited payment to foreign officials. Violation of the FCPA is a crime that can result in severe fines and criminal penalties, as well as disciplinary action by the Company, up to and including termination of employment.
Certain small facilitation payments to foreign officials may be permissible under the FCPA if customary in the country or locality and intended to secure routine governmental action. Governmental action is “routine” if it is ordinarily and commonly performed by a foreign official and does not involve the exercise of discretion. For instance, “routine” functions would include setting up a telephone line or expediting a shipment through customs. To ensure legal compliance, all facilitation payments must receive prior written approval from the Compliance Officer and must be clearly and accurately reported as a business expense.
ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY
The Company is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its employees and avoiding adverse impact and injury to the environment and the communities in which we do business. Company’s employees must comply with all applicable environmental, health and safety laws, regulations and Company’s standards. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with the laws, regulations and policies that are relevant to your job. Failure to comply with environmental, health and safety laws and regulations can result in civil and criminal liability against you and the Company, as well as disciplinary action by the Company, up to and including termination of employment. You should contact the Compliance Officer if you have any questions about the laws, regulations and policies that apply to you.
Environment
All Company’s employees should strive to conserve resources and reduce waste and emissions through recycling and other energy conservation measures. You have a responsibility to promptly report any known or suspected violations of environmental laws or any events that may result in a discharge or emission of hazardous materials. Employees whose jobs involve manufacturing have a special responsibility to safeguard the environment. Such employees should be particularly alert to the storage, disposal and transportation of waste, and handling of toxic materials and emissions into the land, water or air.
8
Health and Safety
The Company is committed not only to complying with all relevant health and safety laws, but also to conducting business in a manner that protects the safety of its employees. All employees are required to comply with all applicable health and safety laws, regulations and policies relevant to their jobs. If you have a concern about unsafe conditions or tasks that present a risk of injury to you, please report these concerns immediately to your supervisor or the Human Resources Department.
EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
The Company pursues fair employment practices in every aspect of its business. The following is intended to be a summary of our employment policies and procedures. Copies of our detailed policies are available from the Human Resources Department. Company employees must comply with all applicable labor and employment laws, including anti-discrimination laws and laws related to freedom of association, privacy and collective bargaining. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with the laws, regulations and policies that are relevant to your job. Failure to comply with labor and employment laws can result in civil and criminal liability against you and the Company, as well as disciplinary action by the Company, up to and including termination of employment. You should contact the Compliance Officer or the Human Resources Department if you have any questions about the laws, regulations and policies that apply to you.
Harassment and Discrimination
The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity and fair treatment to all individuals on the basis of merit, without discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status or other characteristic protected by law. The Company prohibits harassment in any form, whether physical or verbal and whether committed by supervisors, non-supervisory personnel or non-employees. Harassment may include, but is not limited to, offensive sexual flirtations, unwanted sexual advances or propositions, verbal abuse, sexually or racially degrading words, or the display in the workplace of sexually suggestive objects or pictures.
If you have any complaints about discrimination or harassment, report such conduct to your supervisor or the Human Resources Department. All complaints will be treated with sensitivity and discretion. Your supervisor, the Human Resources Department and the Company will protect your confidentiality to the extent possible, consistent with law and the Company’s need to investigate your concern. Where our investigation uncovers harassment or discrimination, we will take prompt corrective action, which may include disciplinary action by the Company, up to and including, termination of employment. The Company strictly prohibits retaliation against an employee who, in good faith, files a complaint.
Any member of management who has reason to believe that an employee has been the victim of harassment or discrimination or who receives a report of alleged harassment or discrimination is required to report it to the Human Resources Department immediately.
CONCLUSION
This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics contains general guidelines for conducting the business of the Company consistent with the highest standards of business ethics. If you have any questions about these guidelines, please contact your supervisor or the Compliance Officer. We expect all Company employees to adhere to these standards.
This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, as applied to the Company’s principal financial officers, shall be the Company’s “code of ethics” within the meaning of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder.
This Code and the matters contained herein are neither a contract of employment nor a guarantee of continuing Company policy. We reserve the right to amend, supplement or discontinue this Code and the matters addressed herein, without prior notice, at any time.
9