The Tyco Guide To Ethical Conduct - Code Topics

Code Topics

The guide covers a number of topics and outlines what types of behavior are acceptable and which is not; it also provides examples of unethical behavior the topics covered in the code are:

1. Equal Employment

Outlines the equal opportunity and fair treatment should extend to all employee, it prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, colour, disability, ethnicity, marital, or family status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic.

2. Harassment-Free Workplace

States that certain behavior is not permitted such as, unwelcome conduct, abusive language, aggression or sexual harassment.

3. Substance-Free Workplace

Prohibits being in possession or under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or other controlled substances.

4. Health, Safety and the Environment Prohibits the possession of weapons, does not allow threats of harm. Enforces that stringent safety procedures, be adhered to at all times and that all operations are in compliance with the applicable environmental laws.

5. Political Activities

States employees must comply with all state and local laws regarding participation in political affairs also that employees can not make contributions of company funds to political parties.

6. Conflicts of Interest

Employees must notify human resources if they have any involvement with organizations outside of Tyco, also that employees must make decisions bases on the needs of the company not on personal interests or relationships.

7. Gifts

This outlines what kinds of gifts may be acceptable and places a maximum monetary value for these gifts, it also states that employees are expected to disclose any gifts that they receive to the company.

8. Fraud

States that intentional acts of fraud are subject to disciplinary action and include things such as: submitting false expense reports, forging or altering checks, inflating sales figures by shipping inventory know to be defective of non-conforming.

9. Antitrust

Looks at ensuring that competition remains free from collusion and unlawful conduct such as: discussing with a competitor price, costs and production. Restricting the right of a customer to sell or lease a product or service at or above a certain price.

10. Propriety and Confidential Information

Outlines that the companies proprietary and confidential information not be shared with anyone- including coworkers who may not need to know about it, it discusses the need for protection of intellectual property and financial information.

11. Inside Information and Trading Tyco Securities

Prohibits employees form buying or selling Tyco stock as a result of receiving inside information.

12. The Media and Financial Community

Any communication with the news or media should be directed to the corporate public relations office, this includes discussing speculation on stock price changes, rumors about mergers or acquisitions, management changes or new products, policies, or strategies.

13. E-Mail, the Internet and the Use of Company Property

Discusses the use and duration of E-mail and the internet for personal use, also discusses the use of personal software on company computers, states that equipment is provided to enable employees to perform their jobs and that the use of company property should be for the sole purpose of conducting business related tasks

14. Record-Keeping, Financial and Export Controls

States that financial records and information must follow the U.S generally accepted accounting principles; and effective internal controls. The topic also states that all information must be communicated in an accurate and timely manner, it also discussed record keeping and retention and how documents and files should be saved.

The code also includes information about where employees can go for help and includes contact information for the toll free ConcernLINE, the office ombudsman or alternative contacts such as the human resources department of the corporate governance office.