QUESTION 5- WHAT IS A CODE OF CONDUCT?

A code of conduct is a set of established rules and regulations that are used in a company/enterprise.   These rules are in force to clarify to all employees the level of behavior that is accepted/tolerated into the company.   A code of conduct helps staff and employers to deal with several issues that might arise into the company.   Examples of those issues are:

·         Conflict of Interest- A conflict of interest happens when an individual or party is involved in several interests, one of which could probably corrupt the motivation for an act in the other.

·         Workplace harassment- Workplace harassment is any type of action that is done against an employee that makes the latter see his/her workplace as a hostile working environment, thus leading to poor performance of the employee. Ex: Sexual Harassment.

·         Obey all laws and Regulations- In a workplace, there are rules and regulations that should be respected by both workers and managers.   Those laws are placed so as to make all staff aware about what is accepted and what is not accepted into the company.   Those rules are important as they enable the good and successful running of the business.

·         Respect for Colleagues and Clients-   Everybody in the company have to respect each other.   Any form of racial discrimination, sexual discrimination towards colleagues or even towards clients is to be tolerated.   The employee must treat each of his/her colleagues with all the respect the latters’ merit.   When dealing with clients the employee should show respect as it is the company’s reputation with is in play.

·         Protection of confidential information-   The Company’s confidential information should never be revealed to the public.   This can be fatal to the company’s reputation and viability.  All workers should keep confidential information for them and thus protecting the company.