A privacy and code of conduct is an essential outline for a company that describes the ways the employees in a company interact with each other. This is to ensure the employees act in their best behaviors so as to elevate the company’s interest. As an employer, the company’s code of conduct and privacy policies should be carefully laid down.
Why is Privacy and Code of Conduct Important?
Privacy or Code of Conduct are the policies that are laid by the stakeholders of the company which are to be followed by both the employers and employees to ensure the best interest of the company in every interaction and behavior. Every company has their own version of employee handbook which also lays out the company’s privacy and code of conduct values.
Each company has different sets of rules although they emphasize the implementation of these rules through corporate trainings, workshops and provision of learning materials to their employees.
What is Code of Conduct and Why Is It Important?
A code of conduct is compiled by the companies to ensure a comfortable corporate environment where every employee can feel safe and relaxed. This is also to ensure that no negative conflict takes place among the employees in their everyday interactions and brainstorming or critical sessions.
The following are some of the key components to understand why code of conduct are fundamental and important for the company.
1. Exhibit Company Values
Code of Conduct and Privacy not only guides the employees of the company but also help the job candidates and starters to understand the company’s core values, ethics and morals.
2. Performance Measure
Adherence to the company’s code of conduct and privacy ensures the employees performance record. An employee who is following these code of conducts in best interest of the company’s core values is recognized by the company’s stakeholders and their chances of promotion are drastically increased.
3. Guideline for Behavior
Employers want to ensure a relaxed, comfortable and safe environment for their employees so that they may work hard and focused to achieve the company missions. In order to do so, it is critically essential for the employees to act according to the guidelines and set of rules laid down by the company’s stakeholders.
What are the Top 5 Codes of Conduct?
There could be many different types of code of conduct. However, the most common are as below
- Integrity
Integrity is a company’s commitment to their mission whether or not their actions, policies and ecosystem are being subject to public scrutiny or not. In other words, a company’s integrity comprises of how the interactions between consumers, employees, suppliers, investors and regulators are taking place.
2. Objectivity
The objectivity of a company is based on the fact that all the financial transactions of the company are based on a solid evidence that can be proved in order to ensure the transparency and trust intact.
3. Transparency
Being transparent is the key to ensure success and brand authenticity. The compliance to company’s code of conduct in its full interest is an essential factor to ensure transparency at large.
4. Confidentiality
Confidentiality is one of the most important factors in the privacy and codes of conduct. This ensures that the customer’s data and sensitive information is kept safe.
5. Professionalism
Compliance to the company’s privacy and code of conduct results in the professionalism of the employees, investors, stakeholders, suppliers and regulators.
What is an Example of Code of Conduct?
A code of conduct could rule on a variety of different behaviors and actions. A few of these are given below;
- Communication
- Dress Code
- Conflicts of Interest
- Harassment
- Abuse
- Misconduct
- Plagiarism
- Confidentiality
- Resources Consumption
- Values
The following are some of the key examples in understanding how these values and codes are laid down. We take Alphabet Inc., parent company of Google, to understand these terms.
1. Integrity
Our reputation as a company that our users can trust is our most valuable asset, and it is up to all of us to make sure that we continually earn that trust. All of our communications and other interactions with our users should increase their trust in us.
2. Usefulness
Our products, features, and services should make Google more useful for all our users. We have many different types of users, from individuals to large businesses, but one guiding principle: “Is what we are offering useful?”
3. Privacy, Security, and Freedom of Expression
Always remember that we are asking users to trust us with their personal information. Preserving that trust requires that each of us respect and protect the privacy and security of that information. Our security procedures strictly limit access to and use of users’ personal information, and require that each of us take measures to protect user data from unauthorized access. Know your responsibilities under these procedures, and collect, use, and access user personal information only as authorized by our Security Policies, our Privacy Policies, and applicable data protection laws.
Google is committed to advancing privacy and freedom of expression for our users around the world. Where user privacy and freedom of expression face government challenges, we seek to implement internationally recognized standards that respect those rights as we develop products, do business in diverse markets, and respond to government requests to access user information or remove user content. Contact Legal or Ethics & Compliance if you have questions on implementing these standards in connection with what you do at Google.
4. Harassment, Discrimination, and Bullying
Google prohibits discrimination, harassment and bullying in any form – verbal, physical, or visual, as discussed more fully in our Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation. If you believe you’ve been bullied, harassed, or discriminated against by anyone at Google, or by a Google partner or vendor, we strongly encourage you to immediately report the incident to your supervisor, Human Resources or both. Similarly, supervisors and managers who learn of any such incident should immediately report it to Human Resources. Human Resources will promptly and thoroughly investigate any complaints and take appropriate action.
Interested in reading more about Google’s code of conduct, read here:
Hence, therefore, if you are an employer and want to ensure a safe environment for your employees to support your company’s mission and grow their skills, it is in best interest of all stakeholders, employees, and investors to establish fundamental privacy and codes of conduct.
