Introduction
Employees and affiliates of Ethis (the “Company”) are expected to act lawfully, honestly, ethically, and in the best interests of the company while performing duties on behalf of Ethis. This code provides some guidelines for business conduct required.
If any part of this code conflicts with local laws or regulations, only the sections of this code permitted by applicable laws and regulations will apply.
Guiding principle
Being guided by the principles of Islam, Ethis is about circulating good among all stakeholders.Principle 1: Honesty, Integrity and Fair Play
The Company and its staff are fully committed to the principle of honesty, integrity and fair play in the delivery of services to the public. All staff should ensure that the business operations, applications for services, procurement or staff recruitment, are dealt with in an open, fair and impartial manner.
Principle 2: Fair Competition
The company’s policy will prohibit any anticompetitive practices, as well as any practices of unfair competition. Accordingly, employees cannot agree (formally or informally) with competitors to x prices or any other conditions of transaction; to limit or control the production, commercialization, technical development or investment; to manipulate or divide markets or sources of provisioning; to participate with fake offers in tenders or any other forms of competitions for offers; to limit or restrain access to market and freedom of competition for other enterprises; to apply unequal conditions for equivalent performance to commercial partners, creating in this way a disadvantage in competition; to condition signing of acceptance contracts by the partners for supplementary obligations which, by their nature or according to commercial usage, have no connection with the subject of such contracts.
Employees are prohibited from performing any act of unfair competition manifested through: misappropriating clients of a company by using the relations established with such clients within the function previously held at the company, dismissal or attracting employees of a company for the purpose of setting up a competing company to capture customers of that company or hiring employees of a company in order to disorganize its work. At the same time, employees must not take actions that harm the legitimate interests of consumers or other operations in breach of the competition law.
Principle 3: Governance and anti-corruption
The Company has zero tolerance for corruption. All employees must never offer to provide anything of value directly or indirectly to government officials and business partners to secure an undue advantage. The company prohibits payment, offers of payment as well as anything of value directly or indirectly with the purpose of influencing or obtaining undue business or personal advantage.
Third parties will only be contracted to perform tasks which aid business interests provided: fees to be paid are reasonable; all arrangements are clearly documented; arrangements are in compliance with company’s policies.
Principle 4: Financial Reporting
All transactions of the Company must be duly recorded so as to permit preparation of clear financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. No false or misleading entries may be made in the books and records of the Company for any reason, and no employee may engage in any arrangement that results in such a prohibited act.
No undisclosed or unrecorded fund or asset of the Company may be established for any purpose. No payment on behalf of the Company (including those by cash) may be done without adequate supporting documentation or made with the intention or understanding that any part of such payment is to be used for any purpose other than as described by the documents supporting the payment.
From time to time, the Company may publish or inform of policies on financial reporting, disclosure and compliance to reinforce the financial reporting expectations in this Code. All employees at any level are expected to implement and strictly follow these policies.
Principle 5: Government Contracts and Services
The Company is committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations relating to government (public procurement) contracts and services and to ensuring that its reports, certifications and declarations to government officials are accurate and complete and that any deviations from contract requirements are properly approved.
Principle 6: Acceptance of Advantages
It is the policy of this Company to prohibit all staff from soliciting or accepting any advantage from any persons having business dealings with the Company (e.g. clients, suppliers, contractors). Employees who wish to accept any advantage from such persons should seek advice and permission from the supervisory officer.
Any gifts offered voluntarily to the staff in their official capacity are regarded as gifts to the Company and they should not be accepted without permission. By default, staff should decline the offer if the acceptance could be perceived as against the interest of the company, or that of society, or lead to complaints of bias or impropriety.
Principle 7: Conflict of Interest
A conflict of interest situation arises when the “private interests” of the staff compete or conflict with the interests of the Company. “Private interests” means both the financial and personal interests of the staff or those of their connections including: family members and other close affiliates; personal friends; the clubs and societies to which they belong; and any person to whom they owe a favor or are obligated in any way.
Staff should avoid using their official position or any information made available to them in the course of their duties to benefit themselves, their affiliates or any other persons with whom they have personal or social ties. They should avoid putting themselves in a position that may lead to an actual or perceived conflict of interest with the Company.
Failure to avoid or declare any conflict of interest may give rise to criticism of favoritism, abuse of authority or even allegations of corruption
Principle 8: Misuse of Official Position
Staff who misuses their official position for personal gains or to favor their relatives or friends are liable to disciplinary action or even prosecution. Examples of misuse include a staff member responsible for the selection of suppliers giving undue favor or leaking information to his/her relative’s company with a view to giving away an undue advantage.
Principle 9: Handling of Classified or Proprietary Information
Staff is not allowed to disclose any classified or exclusive information to anybody without authorization. Staff who have access to or are in control of such information should at all times provide adequate safeguards to prevent its abuse or misuse. Examples of misuse include disclosure of information in return for monetary rewards, or use of information for personal interest. It should also be noted that unauthorized disclosure of any personal data may result in a breach of the applicable legislation on privacy.
Principle 10: Property of the Company
Staff given access to any property of the Company should ensure that it is properly used for the purpose of conducting the Company’s business. Misappropriation of the property for personal use or resale is strictly prohibited.
Principle 11: Outside Employment
Employees who wish to take up paid outside work, including those on a part-time basis, must seek the permission and guidance from the supervisory officer before accepting the job. Approval will not be given if the outside work is considered to be in conflict with the interest and values of the Company.
Principle 12: Compliance with the Code
It is the personal responsibility of every staff member to understand and comply with the Code of Conduct.
Higher ranked employees should ensure that their subordinates understand and comply with the standards and requirements stated in the Code. Any doubts of interpretation or problems encountered, as well as any suggestions.
Principle 13: Reporting
Employees have a responsibility to promptly report to the Company any violation of the Code. Employees will not be disciplined or retaliated against in any way for reporting violations in good faith. Retaliation against any employee for reporting policy violations, or for testifying, assisting or participating in any manner to inspections is strictly prohibited. Any employee who believes he or she has been subjected to or has witnessed retaliation must immediately report the alleged retaliation.