To be a useful code of ethics, the code should offer broad policies

Yes, in most cases businesses will combine both of these documents into one as there is significant overlap between them. It is rare to find businesses that have two separate policies. Whilst they are technically different documents, employees will have less difficulty recalling important points around conduct and ethics if they have a single document to refer to.

We welcome and support people of all backgrounds and identities. This includes, but is not limited to members of any sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, social and economic class, educational level, color, immigration status, sex, age, size, family status, political belief, religion, and mental and physical ability.

We all depend on each other to produce the best work we can as a company. Your decisions will affect clients and colleagues, and you should take those consequences into account when making decisions.

3. Be respectful.

We won't all agree all the time, but disagreement is no excuse for disrespectful behavior. We will all experience frustration from time to time, but we cannot allow that frustration become personal attacks. An environment where people feel uncomfortable or threatened is not a productive or creative one.

4. Choose your words carefully.

Always conduct yourself professionally. Be kind to others. Do not insult or put down others. Harassment and exclusionary behavior aren't acceptable. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Threats of violence.
• Insubordination.
• Discriminatory jokes and language.
• Sharing sexually explicit or violent material via electronic devices or other means.
• Personal insults, especially those using racist or sexist terms.
• Unwelcome sexual attention.
• Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.

5. Don't harass.

In general, if someone asks you to stop something, then stop. When we disagree, try to understand why. Differences of opinion and disagreements are mostly unavoidable. What is important is that we resolve disagreements and differing views constructively.

6. Make differences into strengths.

We can find strength in diversity. Different people have different perspectives on issues, and that can be valuable for solving problems or generating new ideas. Being unable to understand why someone holds a viewpoint doesn’t mean that they’re wrong. Don’t forget that we all make mistakes, and blaming each other doesn’t get us anywhere.

Instead, focus on resolving issues and learning from mistakes.

A code of ethics and professional conduct consists of four key sections detailed below. You can cover all of them in a short summary Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct as we have above, or expand on them in detail so employees are clear on how to handle many common situations.

1. The work environment.

Employees should act with integrity, comply with laws, maintain a professional work environment and comply with company policies. They should treat customers, colleagues, and partners ethically at all times.

A company's reputation depends on the actions and integrity of its employees. It is essential that they avoid relationships and activities that hurt, or appears to hurt, their ability to make objective and fair decisions.

3. Protecting company assets.

Employees should always act to protect company assets, including physical, intellectual, and electronic or digital properties.

4. Anti-bribery and corruption.

A company's integrity is essential for maintaining trustworthiness and reputation. Employees should always do their work fairly, honestly, and legally.

5. Attendance and punctuality.

Employees are expected to be regular and punctual in attendance. This means being in the office, ready to work, at starting time each day. Absenteeism and tardiness burden other employees and the company.

6. Absence without notice.

Employees who are unable to work due to illness or an accident should notify their supervisor. This allows the company to arrange for coverage of their duties and helps others continue to work in their absence. If an employee does a report for work and the company is not notified of an employee's status for 3 days, it is typically considered a job abandonment.

7. General harassment and sexual harassment.

This company is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination and unlawful harassment. Actions, words, jokes, or comments based on an individual’s sex, race, ethnicity, age, religion, or any other legally protected characteristic are not tolerated.

8. Cell phone use at work.

Personal cell phone usage during work hours is discouraged, except in extreme cases such as an emergency.

9. Dress code.

A professional appearance is important when employees work with customers or potential customers. Employees should be well-groomed and dressed appropriately for the business and for their position.

The manufacture, distribution, possession, sale, or purchase of controlled substances of abuse on company property is prohibited. Being under the influence of illegal drugs, alcohol, or substances of abuse on company property is prohibited. Working while under the influence of prescription drugs that impair performance is prohibited.

11. Tobacco products.

The use of tobacco products on company property, outside of permitted areas, is specifically prohibited.

12. Internet use at work.

Employees may use the Internet when appropriate to access information needed to conduct a business company business. Use of the Internet must not disrupt or injure the company computer network. Use of the Internet must not interfere with an employee's productivity.

The goal of a code of ethics is to help employees make decisions that are in line with what the company or organization values. This should be distilled into your mission statement and core values, so it's a good place to start.

2. Talk to stakeholders.

What do management, employees, and clients think are the most important values of the company to uphold? Get input from everyone involved to be sure your code reflects what the company stands for. You can have them all look at a code of conduct template to get ideas for how their own might look like.

3. Review past ethical issues.

Where has your company faltered with ethics in the past? Where has it shined? Call attention to problem areas and reinforce the strengths you already have.

4. See where other companies have faltered.

Have other companies in your industry had recent ethical failures? Avoid the same pitfalls by covering these issues in your code.

5. Create a draft code for input and discussion.

Give everyone a chance to help decide on the contents of the code of ethics by inviting them to discuss and give input on a draft.

Once you've got a final draft approved, share it throughout the organization. Also, make sure that a copy of it is added to your employee handbook.

A code of ethics is a guide of principles designed to help professionals conduct business honestly and with integrity. A code of ethics document may outline the mission and values of the business or organization, how professionals are supposed to approach problems, the ethical principles based on the organization's core values, and the standards to which the professional is held.

A code of ethics, also referred to as an "ethical code," may encompass areas such as business ethics, a code of professional practice, and an employee code of conduct.

• A code of ethics sets out an organization's ethical guidelines and best practices to follow for honesty, integrity, and professionalism.
• For members of an organization, violating the code of ethics can result in sanctions including termination.
• In some industries, including banking and finance, specific laws govern business conduct. In others, a code of ethics may be voluntarily adopted.
• The main types of codes of ethics include a compliance-based code of ethics, a value-based code of ethics, and a code of ethics among professionals.
• A focus on climate change has become an integral part of companies' codes of ethics, detailing their commitment to sustainability.

Business ethics refers to how ethical principles guide a business's operations. Common issues that fall under the umbrella of business ethics include employer-employee relations, discrimination, environmental issues, bribery, insider trading, and social responsibility.

While many laws exist to set basic ethical standards within the business community, it is largely dependent upon a business's leadership to develop a code of ethics.

Both businesses and trade organizations typically have some sort of code of ethics that their employees or members are supposed to follow. Breaking the code of ethics can result in termination or dismissal from the organization. A code of ethics is important because it clearly lays out the rules for behavior and provides the groundwork for a preemptive warning.

While a code of ethics is often not required, many firms and organizations choose to adopt one, which helps to identify and characterize a business to stakeholders.

Given the importance of climate change and how human behavior has led to severely impacting the climate, many companies have taken to include climate factors in their code of ethics. These principles include manners in which the company is dedicated to operating sustainably or how they will shift to doing so.

In many cases, this commitment to sustainability adds to the costs of a company, but because consumers are becoming more focused on the types of businesses they choose to engage with, it is often worth the cost to maintain a good public image.

Regardless of size, businesses count on their management staff to set a standard of ethical conduct for other employees to follow. When administrators adhere to the code of ethics, it sends a message that universal compliance is expected of every employee.

A code of ethics can take a variety of forms, but the general goal is to ensure that a business and its employees are following state and federal laws, conducting themselves with an ideal that can be exemplary, and ensuring that the business being conducted is beneficial for all stakeholders. The following are three types of codes of ethics found in business.

For all businesses, laws regulate issues such as hiring and safety standards. Compliance-based codes of ethics not only set guidelines for conduct but also determine penalties for violations.

In some industries, including banking, specific laws govern business conduct. These industries formulate compliance-based codes of ethics to enforce laws and regulations. Employees usually undergo formal training to learn the rules of conduct. Because noncompliance can create legal issues for the company as a whole, individual workers within a firm may face penalties for failing to follow guidelines.

To ensure that the aims and principles of the code of ethics are followed, some companies appoint a compliance officer. This individual is tasked with keeping up to date on changes in regulation codes and monitoring employee conduct to encourage conformity.

This type of code of ethics is based on clear-cut rules and well-defined consequences rather than individual monitoring of personal behavior. Despite strict adherence to the law, some compliance-based codes of conduct do not thus promote a climate of moral responsibility within the company.

A value-based code of ethics addresses a company's core value system. It may outline standards of responsible conduct as they relate to the larger public good and the environment. Value-based ethical codes may require a greater degree of self-regulation than compliance-based codes.

Some codes of conduct contain language that addresses both compliance and values. For example, a grocery store chain might create a code of conduct that espouses the company's commitment to health and safety regulations above financial gain. That grocery chain might also include a statement about refusing to contract with suppliers that feed hormones to livestock or raise animals in inhumane living conditions.

Financial advisers registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or a state regulator are bound by a code of ethics known as a fiduciary duty. This is a legal requirement and also a code of loyalty that requires them to act in the best interest of their clients.

Certified public accountants, who are not typically considered fiduciaries to their clients, still are expected to follow similar ethical standards, such as integrity, objectivity, truthfulness, and avoidance of conflicts of interest, according to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Many firms and organizations have adopted a Code of Ethics. One good example comes from the CFA Institute (CFAI), the grantor of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and creator of the CFA exams. CFA Charterholders are among the most respected and globally recognized financial professionals. According to the CFAI's website, Members of CFA Institute, including CFA Charterholders, and candidates for the CFA designation must adhere to the following Code of Ethics:

• Act with integrity, competence, diligence, respect, and in an ethical manner with the public, clients, prospective clients, employers, employees, colleagues in the investment profession, and other participants in the global capital markets.
• Place the integrity of the investment profession and the interests of clients above their own personal interests.
• Use reasonable care and exercise independent professional judgment when conducting investment analysis, making investment recommendations, taking investment actions, and engaging in other professional activities.
• Practice and encourage others to practice professionally and ethically that will reflect credit on themselves and the profession.
• Promote the integrity and viability of the global capital markets for the ultimate benefit of society.
• Maintain and improve their professional competence and strive to maintain and improve the competence of other investment professionals.

All companies will have a different code of ethics with different areas of interest, based on the industry they are involved in, but the five areas that companies typically focus on include integrity, objectivity, professional competence, confidentiality, and professional behavior.

A code of ethics in business is a set of guiding principles intended to ensure a business and its employees act with honesty and integrity in all facets of its day-to-day operations and to only engage in acts that promote a benefit to society.

A code of ethics for teachers defines the primary responsibilities of a teacher to their students and the role of the teacher in the student's life. Teachers are required to show impartiality, integrity, and ethical behavior in the classroom.

An example of a code of ethics would be a business that drafts a code outlining all the ways the business should act with honesty and integrity in its day-to-day operations, from how its employees behave and interact with clients, to the types of individuals it does business with, including suppliers and advertising agencies.

A code of ethics is broader in its nature, outlining what is acceptable for the company in terms of integrity and how it operates. A code of conduct is more focused in nature and instructs how a business' employees should act daily and in specific situations.

A code of ethics is a guiding set of principles intended to instruct professionals to act in a manner that is honest and that is beneficial to all stakeholders involved. A code of ethics is drafted by a business and tailored to the specific industry at hand, requiring all employees of that business to adhere to the code.

The moral choices of businesses have evolved, from the industrial age to the modern era. In the world we live in today, working conditions, how a business impacts the environment, and how it deals with inequality are all areas that society deems important that perhaps two centuries ago it did not as much. A code of ethics helps ensure that businesses will always act with integrity.