Corporate Governance
It is a fundamental principle of Secure Innovations that all of our business affairs shall be conducted legally, ethically and with strict observance of the highest standards of integrity and propriety. This Code of Conduct is based on that principle.
Our Code of Conduct sets the standards expected of us all within Secure Innovations. It provides information to assist in the understanding of the ethical values and standards of behaviour that apply in all of our daily business activities. These are the values and standards on which Secure Innovations reputation will be based. Adherence to these values is fundamental to building a partnership of trust between Secure Innovations and the people with whom we deal with.
This Code of Conduct applies to everyone within Secure Innovations; to all directors and all employees; to the most junior employee.
In this Code of Conduct, the term “employee” includes directors.
As a company, we will:
- respect every employee's dignity, rights, freedoms and individualneeds;
- provide a working environment that is safe, challenging andrewarding;
- recognise the work of each of our employees;
- respect customers’, suppliers’ and employees’ personal and sensitive information;
- reinforce Secure Innovations’ commitment to the highest standards in business, professional ethics and obeying the law.
As employees, we will:
- Treat customers, the public and fellow employees with honesty, courtesy and respect;
- Respect and safeguard the property of customers, Secure Innovations and fellow workers;
- Maintain confidentiality of all customer, Secure Innovations or other parties' information gained through our work;
- Perform our duties, as best we can, taking into account our skills, experience, qualifications and position;
- Do our jobs in a safe, responsible and effective manner; working within Secure Innovations’ policies and rules;
- Respect personal and sensitive information in accordance with privacy legislation;
- Ensure personal business and financial interests do not conflict with our duty to Secure Innovations;
If we as employees undertake these obligations and responsibilities, our workplace, job satisfaction and performance will benefit and we will better achieve our company's business goals.
Guidlines for Expected Behaviour
Business Records
Employees must not destroy business documents and records that are required by law to be maintained for a statutory period, nor must any records be falsified or manipulated.
Code of Conduct
This Code is about a common ethical sense. This Code sets the standard
for our behavior. We are all accountable for putting the spirit and letter
of this Code into practice.
An essential element in ethical behavior is a sense of personal responsibility.
This Code, like any other, will be successful only if it is understood and followed.
In any case, it is important to remember that this is our Company Code and therefore
it is owned by each of us. Both individuals and companies are judged as much
for their integrity as for their service quality.
Conflict of Interest
A conflict of interest exists where loyalties are divided. Employees
of Secure Innovations have a potential conflict of interest if, in the
course of performing their duties, any decision they make provides any
improper gain or benefit to themselves or a third party.
Any interest which may constitute a conflict of interest must promptly be disclosed
to the appropriate Director.
Company Assets
Secure Innovations’ assets, including goods, money, intellectual property or the services of other Secure Innovations employees (including contractors), must not be used for personal gain. This includes, but is not limited to:
- transcription of computer software programs regardless of whether or not the programs are protected by copyright;
- falsification or improper use of corporate cards, expense accounts or other similar accounts.
Secure Innovations’ property and merchandise is not to be removed from Secure Innovations’ premises without authorisation. This includes any samples of merchandise received. If, for business reasons removal is necessary, then appropriate approvals must be obtained. Every employee while in control of any Secure Innovations’ assets, particularly cash or other valuables, is personally accountable for them.
Competitors and Fair Competition
Employees having knowledge of commercially sensitive information and having a significant vested interest in a competitor of Secure Innovations must disclose that interest. Where, in the opinion of the employee's immediate supervisor, the interest constitutes a conflict of interest, those employees should divest themselves of that interest.
Fair competition means that we will:
- know about and follow Secure Innovations’ legal obligations to its competitors;
- compete on the basis of customer service rather than by obstructing competitive conduct.
- will not unfairly differ between customers when supplying products or services;
- will not refuse to deal with, or discriminate against, a customer for any improper reason;
- will not intimidate or threaten another person or organisation.
It is not appropriate to make any disparaging or untruthful remarks about any of our competitors, their products or services. We aim to conduct our business fairly, and to compete solely on the merits of our products or services.
We aim to be an effective competitor and to act according to accepted community and ethical standards.No bribes, payoffs or kickbacks will be paid. In all dealings with others, we will be courteous, well-informed and truthful, and careful not to misrepresent the quality, features or availability of our products and services.
Competitive information will be obtained only by ethical means – covert attempts to gain competitive information are not permitted.
Customer Service
We must ensure that we deliver exceptional value and service to our customers by conducting ourselves with integrity and in a manner that ensures:
- Our customers are provided with the products and services they
want at the highest possible standard;
- All decisions and actions are evaluated in terms of their impact
on customers;
- There is a safe and friendly environment at all times for our employees and customers.
Electronic Equipment (Use of Computers)
The use of electronic mail and internet system is for the conduct of Secure Innovations business. Reasonable private usage is restricted to email.
Environment
All employees are responsible for maintaining and protecting the environment. Employees should, therefore, always consider the impact of their activities on the environment and the local community, including the way in which waste is disposed, chemicals are used and stored, and natural resources utilised.
Gifts, Loans, Hospitality
No-one should ask for or accept any gift, loan, unusual or expensive hospitality or other benefit of significant value. In particular, an employee must not seek or accept a significant gift that could impose pressure on their judgment, or could seem to be a conflict of interest, or could damage relationships with others.
- Hospitality in the form of entertainment in the interests of normal business practice is normally acceptable. However, it is important not to give any impression that there may be a connection between the hospitality and business opportunities.
- If one of us is sent a significant gift, that person should report it to his or her manager. The manager will determine if it is appropriate to accept the gift or return it with a polite note. If in any doubt about gifts, hospitality or concessions offered, then ask your manager.
A gift is defined here as an item or service of significant value. Unsolicited promotional materials of little or nominal value such as pens, pencils, key rings, diaries, etc. are not gifts for the purposes of this definition.
Improper Influence
No pressure is to be put on any employee to influence their personal preferences in private or political matters. Further, no approval or disapproval of an employee's private political preferences or activities should be shown by anyone in their Company role.
Law
Secure Innovations is subject to local, State and Commonwealth
laws. We have a duty to act within those laws. The law helps to define
our roles within Secure Innovations.
No one can be directed to carry out an illegal act, and no one
can justify an illegal act by claiming to be acting under the order of
a manager, or to be simply complying with a policy.
Leaving the Company
On leaving Secure Innovations each employee must surrender any Secure Innovations assets and items containing business information. This includes intellectual property that may have been created while working with Secure Innovations.
Non-Discrimination
Secure Innovations is committed to providing all employees with equal opportunity.
Discrimination or harassment based on race, colour, religion, gender, age, marital status, disability or other factors unrelated to legitimate business interests, will not be tolerated. All employees are entitled to their personal preferences in private or political matters. No pressure should be placed on anyone to influence those preferences and no approval or disapproval of anybody's private or political preferences or activities be shown by anyone in their Secure Innovations role.Recruitment, promotions and other conditions of employment or career development will be based on individual merit. Unethical means of achieving performance or promotion will not be condoned or rewarded.
Official Vehicles
Anyone using a company vehicle should ensure that it is not used in a way that will reflect badly on Secure Innovations. Vehicles must not be used for unauthorised purposes. Outside Employment and other ActivitesExtreme care should be taken to ensure that active participation, on a part?time or freelance basis, in any outside business, whether or not such business is a supplier, customer or competitor, does not create a potential conflict.
Secure Innovations does have a concern with the well-being of community. The quality of one’s work with Secure Innovations can be increased by the contribution that we might make as an individual. If it is practical, management will endorse and support part-time involvement by its staff in public or community service.
Personal Conduct
Employees' personal conduct should be fully consistent with this Code. Employees should deal fairly and honestly with each other, our customers, suppliers and competitors.
All customer contacts should be handled professionally and courteously. Employees should report to work as required and when an absence is unavoidable, promptly notify the appropriate person of the reason.
Political Associations
Secure Innovations must not be used to support a political party, a member of a party, or an independent politician, either in Australia or overseas. When acting on Secure Innovations’ behalf, no action should be made which might be seen as assisting a political party, politician or political candidate. However, this does not include normal hospitality when conducting business.
Protection of Information (Privacy)
Unauthorised disclosure of Secure
Innovations’ information,
including the misuse of intellectual property belonging to Secure Innovations
is prohibited.
All information relating to Secure Innovations’ business obtained
by employees in the course of their employment is to be considered confidential
unless Secure Innovations has officially made the information public.
Suppliers
Each employee involved in buying goods and services on Secure Innovations’ behalf must avoid any relationship, financial or otherwise, with suppliers that could be seen as unfairly influencing judgment.
Work Environment
Secure Innovations is committed to providing its employees with a working environment which is healthy, safe and productive. To this end the abuse of prescription drugs or the use or possession of illicit drugs is not acceptable. Neither is the consumption of alcohol, where it affects customer service, other employees, work performance, public relations, safety or where it violates the law.
Besides physical factors, our work environment should also be challenging, stimulating and rewarding for us all.