The purpose of the
Merito Technical Services Ltd. (MTS) Code of Ethical Conduct is to
provide all employees with guidance on how to practice the highest
standard of honesty, integrity, and fairness in all matters relating
to customers, strategic partners, suppliers and each other.
The matter of honesty, integrity, and
fairness in the workplace is very serious.
Without integrity there can be no trust.
Without trust there can be no teamwork. Without teamwork we have no
company. So it is with any company or with any individual, the price
of creating a great workplace is for every person in the
organization to take personal responsibility to act ethically and
morally in all we do.
All MTS employees must be responsible for
both the integrity and the consequences of their own actions. In
particular, all MTS employees must practice the highest standard of
honesty, integrity, and fairness when engaging in any activity
concerning the company.
SCOPE
This Code of Ethical Conduct serves as a
guide to all employees and MTS sub-contractors. MTS is committed to
conducting its business affairs in a fair and ethical manner. Any
activities that could call into question the Company honesty and integrity or damage its reputation
in any way are strictly prohibited. Any activity that appears to be
unethical, illegal or improper, or might in any way cause
embarrassment to MTS must also be avoided.
To our customers, MTS guarantees
outstanding performance that will not only meet, but exceed their
requirements. We will fully comply with all government regulations
applying to our industry. To our employees, MTS guarantees a safe,
fair work environment that is free of
discrimination.
ETHICS COMMITTEE
To facilitate the implementation of this
Code, MTS has established an Ethics Committee, chaired by the
General Manager. The Committee shall:
- Consider standards of conduct and
modify the Code as needed
- Review the results of all
investigations and determine whether they were fairly
resolved
- Make recommendations about
implementing disciplinary actions when those are needed
General Manager shall supervise the
Ethics Committee actions.
STANDARDS OF
CONDUCT
1. Accurate Books and Accounts
All MTS business transactions must be
properly authorized and accurately recorded in the Company books
according to generally accepted accounting principles. No
undisclosed funds may be established for any purpose, nor may
Company funds be placed in any personal or non-corporate
account.
2. Accurate Reporting of Cost
Data
MTS shall not submit inaccurate or
misleading data when submitting bids for contracts or subcontracts
or requests for modifications of such to the government, contractors
or subcontractors. Doing so constitutes a criminal violation that
could result in felony prosecutions of the employee and the
Company.
3. Bribes, gratuities and
kickbacks
Overall, MTS does not condone the
offering or accepting of bribes. In the commercial marketplace, the
accepting of bribes is strictly prohibited. MTS employees may not
accept any gift, favor, entertainment, hospitality, loan or anything
else for services rendered.
4. Confidentiality
Unless specifically authorized by MTS
management, employees are prohibited from disclosing any information
acquired as a result of their employment with MTS to outside
parties. This includes proprietary or Company-confidential business,
financial, personnel or technological information, and any other
data of which the employee gained knowledge strictly as a result of
his/her employment.
Similarly, employees should not seek to
improperly acquire or divulge the
proprietary or confidential information
of others.
5. Copyright Compliance
Copyright laws prohibit the copying,
distribution, use and display of a copyrighted work without the
prior approval of the copyright owner. These restrictions apply to
software as well as written material. Unauthorized copying is
strictly prohibited.
6. Drug-Free Workplace
It is the policy of MTS to create a
drug-free workplace in keeping with the spirit and intent of the
Drug-Free ideal. MTS also reserves the right to establish drug and
alcohol search and screening procedures consistent with applicable
laws. MTS strongly believes that the illegal or inappropriate use of
controlled substances is inconsistent with the behavior expected of
employees, subjects all employees and visitors to our facilities to
unacceptable safety risks and undermines MTS's ability to operate
effectively and efficiently. In this connection, the unlawful
manufacture, distribution, transfer, possession, sale or use of
controlled substances, drugs or alcohol in the workplace or while
engaged in MTS business off MTS's premises is strictly
prohibited.
To ensure compliance with this policy,
MTS may periodically perform:
a. Annual drug testing of a random sample
of current employees
b. Reasonable searches of organization
premises, including offices and desks
c. Confiscation of prohibited items and
substances
Employees who violate any aspect of this
policy are subject to disciplinary action up to and including
termination.
7. Equal Opportunity
MTS is an equal opportunity employer. MTS
has a long-standing record of not
discriminating in employment and
opportunity because of race, color, religion, creed, national
origin, ancestry, disability, sex, age or veteran status. It is our
policy to:
- strictly follow employment procedures
that will ensure equal opportunity for all people without regard
to any protected status or class.
b. Such procedures include compensation,
benefits, assignments, and training.
- thoroughly investigate instances of
alleged discrimination and take corrective action if
warranted.
8. E-mail
E-mail, by its nature, is open and
difficult to maintain confidential.
All MTS employees should recognize that
e-mail messages can be easily transferred and accessed by recipients
unknown to them. They can also be easily printed, copied and
distributed. E-mail is not company property and thus should not be
considered confidential. However, all employees should respect the
privacy of others and should not read e-mail messages that are not
directed to them unless authorized by the messages' sender or
recipient.
9. Internet use
Due to the nature of our business, it is
a necessity that some employees have Internet access. Time spent on
the Internet should be limited to business-related topics. MTS
management prohibits the use of the Internet to solicit employees
for any purpose unrelated to MTS business. Additionally, the use of
the Internet must be consistent with our Equal Opportunity policies,
including its policy on Sexual Harassment. The possession, receiving
or sending of pornographic, sexually offensive or other
inappropriate materials is strictly prohibited.
10. Harassment Policy
All MTS employees, and particularly
managers, have a responsibility for keeping the work environment
free of harassment. Any employee who becomes aware of an incident of
harassment, whether by witnessing the incident or being told of it,
must report it to their immediate manager or any management
representative with whom they feel comfortable. When management
becomes aware that harassment might exist, he or she shall take
prompt and appropriate action.
Any incidents of harassment must be
immediately reported to a manager or other management
representative. All reports are promptly investigated with due
regard for the privacy of everyone involved. Any employee found to
have harassed a fellow employee or subordinate is subject to
disciplinary action or discharge. MTS will also take any additional
action necessary to appropriately remedy the situation. Every
employee has the responsibility to report incidents of harassment to
management or other company representatives.
11. Nepotism Policy
Employees who marry or establish a close
personal relationship may continue
employment as long as it does not create
a conflict of interest. If such occurs, attempts will be made to
find a suitable alternative position within the Company. If no
alternative position can be found, one of the employees will be
asked to submit a resignation.
12. Outside employment
Employees may not engage in activities
which conflict with MTS business interests or impede their job
performance at MTS. Any employee wishing to obtain employment
outside of MTS in an area that conflicts with the Company interests must first obtain written approval
from General Manager. Questions about the application of this policy
should be addressed to General Manager.
13. Procurement Integrity
MTS prohibits competing contractors and
subcontractors from engaging in the following activities: soliciting
or discussing post-employment or business opportunities with a
procurement official; offering money, a gratuity or anything else of
value to a procurement official; soliciting or obtaining proprietary
or source selection information from any government employee. All
MTS employees are required to follow these regulations.
14. Political Affiliation
The Company, on occasion, may take a
position on matters affecting our business. However, MTS generally
does not affiliate itself with any public issue, political party or
candidate.
15. Security
Security plays a vital role in many of
MTS business operations. All MTS employees and contractors are
responsible for complying with the security policies of
MTS.
VIOLATION
Violations of this Code of Ethical
Conduct should be immediately reported to an
Employee’s direct supervisor. If an
employee feels that he/she is not receiving an appropriate response
at any level of supervision, he/she may pursue a satisfactory answer
through the next higher level of supervision. At any time, an
employee may communicate anonymously with the General Manager.
Employees who disclose suspected wrongdoing will not be retaliated
against at anytime.
DISCIPLINE
Violations of MTS Code of Ethical Conduct
could result in harm to the Company,
its customers and its employees.
Therefore, failure to comply with the standards in this Code or the
appropriate government regulation may result in according
disciplinary action by MTS ranging from
an oral warning to discharge for
cause. Violations may also result in
civil and/or criminal penalties against the
Company and/or the individuals
involved.
Principles of fairness and dignity will
be applied to the investigation of all suspected code of ethics
violations. Any employee charged with a violation of the Code will
be afforded an opportunity to explain his or her actions before
disciplinary action is taken by MTS
(c)opyright Merito Technical Services Ltd.
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