1. Compliance with the Law
Reliable Health Care Services, Inc. will comply fully with all relevant state, national and international laws and will act in accordance with local guidelines and regulations, including those which are industry specific, governing our operations.
It is the responsibility of all employees and providers to ensure, by taking legal or other expert advice where appropriate, that they are aware of all local laws and regulations which may affect the part of the business in which they are engaged, including tax and exchange controls.
Even where the law does not apply, applicable standards of ethics and morality relate to our activities and require the same diligence and attention to good conduct and citizenship. Employees and providers must avoid situations where appearance of impropriety exists, even though the circumstances might not otherwise specifically violate this code of conduct.
2. Confidential information
Employees and providers must not make use of confidential information obtained through their employment for personal gain, nor disclose such information to any third party during or after their employment. 'Confidential information' is either information that has been specifically described as being confidential or is otherwise obviously confidential from the surrounding circumstances.
The term "confidential information" does not include information already in the public domain, information that was already known to the recipient at the time of its disclosure, or information that is required by law to be disclosed.
3. Conflicts of interest
Sales of Reliable Health Care Services, Inc services and purchases of products and services from suppliers will be made solely on the basis of quality, performance, price and value, and never on the basis of giving or receiving inducements in the form of payments, gifts, entertainment or favors or in any other form.
Every employee has a duty to avoid business, financial or other direct or indirect interests or relationships which conflict with the interests of Reliable Health Care Services, Inc, or which divides his or her loyalty to Reliable Health Care Services, Inc. Any activity which even appears to present such a conflict must be avoided or terminated unless, after disclosure to the appropriate level of management, it is determined that the activity is not unethical or improper, does not compromise integrity and is not detrimental to the reputation and standing of Reliable Health Care Services, Inc.
4. Business practice and entertainment
Reliable Health Care Services, Inc is resolutely opposed to bribery and corruption in whatever form it may take. Gifts or entertainment may only be offered to a third party if they are consistent with customary business practice in the relevant territory and are modest in value and cannot be interpreted as inducements to trade. Where there is doubt, guidance should be sought from VP of Human Resources or CEO/President. No financial or other inducements should be given to third party organizations or to individuals from such organizations in any circumstances. This includes government agencies and representatives.
Employees and providers should not accept gifts, money or entertainment from third party or individuals, where these might reasonably be considered likely to influence business transactions. Unsolicited gifts, other than trivial ones with a low value, should be returned. In a culture where such an action might cause offence, the gift should be declared to Reliable Health Care Services, Inc and, if practical, donated to an appropriate charity.
5. Accounting standards and records
All accounting documentation must clearly identify the true nature of business transactions, assets and liabilities in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. No record or entry must be false, distorted, incomplete or suppressed.
6. External reporting
Reliable Health Care Services, Inc. may be required to make statements or provide reports to regulatory bodies, government agencies or other government departments. Care should be taken to ensure that such statements or reports are correct, timely and not misleading. Senior management must be made aware of any sensitive disclosure before it is made.
Care must also be taken when making statements to the media that information given is correct and not misleading. Enquiries from the media should be referred to Reliable Health Care Services, Inc. media relation's experts and statements should only be made by designated spokespersons.
7. Political contributions
Reliable Health Care Services, Inc. does not make contributions to political parties in the US and this policy is followed worldwide. They're no exceptions to this policy.
8. Employees
Reliable Health Care Services, Inc supports the principles of Human Rights and is committed to upholding these principles in its policies, procedures and practices. Respect for human rights is and will remain integral to our operations. We will respect freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining in accordance with local legislation and practice.
In dealing with our employees and providers, we will act in compliance with all regulatory requirements and government guidelines. We will not discriminate on the basis of gender, color, ethnicity, culture, religion, sexual orientation or disability.
Employees and providers will be paid and work hours at least as favorable as the terms established by agreements or industry standards.
We will take measures to ensure that the work of our employees and providers does not compromise accepted human rights conventions, while recognizing and respecting the diversity in local cultures across the different communities in which we operate.
We will endeavor to ensure that we work with business partners who conduct their business in a way that is compatible with our policies of respect for human rights and ethical conduct. We will work with clients to ensure that contractual requirements do not infringe human rights.
We value all our employees and providers for their contribution to our business and their opportunities for advancement will be equal and not influenced by considerations other than their performance, ability and aptitude.
Employers' obligations to employees and providers under labor or social security laws and regulations must be respected. The business and employees will work towards creating permanent long-term relationships. To achieve a working environment in which team spirit and commitment to Reliable Health Care Services, Inc. goals and values are maintained, the Reliable Health Care Services, Inc. will ensure that individual employees and providers are treated fairly and with dignity and respect. They will also be provided with the opportunity to develop their potential and, if appropriate, to develop their careers further with the Reliable Health Care Services, Inc.
Reliable Health Care Services, Inc places the highest priority on promoting the health and safety of employees and providers while at work. In particular, it will constantly review the effectiveness of its methods of operation to best protect those who work in a high-risk environment.
In order to protect the interests of its customers and employees, and because of the nature of its business, Reliable Health Care Services, Inc. will apply rigorous pre-employment screening and selection techniques.
9. Internal suppliers
Any business transactions between Reliable Health Care Services, Inc. and suppliers for the supply of goods or services should be based on normal ‘arm's length' business principles. These principles should cover pricing and other contractual terms and must be as defensible as those to which independent parties might be expected to agree.
10. Customers
Mutual trust and confidence between Reliable Health Care Services, Inc. and its customers is vital. All employees and providers should strive to consistently deliver service excellence and value for money, meeting customers' expectations and anticipating their changing requirements.
11. Suppliers
All suppliers are entitled to fair treatment and all potential suppliers should have a reasonable opportunity to win Reliable Health Care Services, Inc business. It is our policy to pay suppliers on time in accordance with agreed terms of trade. Reliable Health Care Services, Inc. sets high standards for its suppliers in the context of its own ethical policy.
12. Competitors
Reliable Health Care Services, Inc will always compete vigorously, but in a fair and ethical way. Competitive success is built on providing good value and service excellence. Competitors should not be disparaged. When in contact with competitors, employees and providers will avoid discussing confidential information and no attempt will be made to improperly acquire competitors' trade secrets or any other confidential information. Employees and providers must not discuss pricing strategies or undertake any arrangements, which would conflict with the laws of the territory concerned.
13. Community
Reliable Health Care Services, Inc. is fully committed to supporting and assisting the communities in which Reliable Health Care Services, Inc operates through a variety of means including charitable fund-raising, sponsorship of community projects and voluntary work by employees. Reliable Health Care Services, Inc. will also serve local communities by providing good employment opportunities and effective services which safeguard the public good.
14 Environment
We will conduct our business with respect and consideration for the communities in which we operate and for the environment. We will take steps to minimize any disturbance to communities as a result of our operations. As a service organization, our environmental impact is small in relation to manufacturing industries. However, in our operations we will strive to minimize our impact on the environment through reduction of waste, vehicle emissions and energy consumption.
15. E-mails and use of the Internet
Employees are permitted to use e-mails and the Internet where appropriate for their job. Limited personal use is also permitted in an employee's own time e.g. during breaks, in accordance with local guidelines. Employees should exercise due care to ensure that Reliable Health Care Services, Inc. is not committed to any inappropriate or unauthorized liability.
Employees must not use the e-mail or Internet in any way, which would be in breach of copyright, contracts or license agreements. Derogatory comments about any organization or individual must never be made. Viewing or distributing of pornographic, pedophilic or other data, which could be considered offensive, is expressly prohibited. Any personal views in e-mails must be clearly marked as such.
Employees should be considerate in their use of e-mails and the Internet to avoid overloading the system at peak times or with trivia, which may prevent other users from doing their jobs effectively.
Employees should exercise due care to ensure that viruses or other harmful software are not knowingly imported or spread.
16. Harassment
Harassment can be defined as unwanted behavior, which a person finds intimidating, upsetting, embarrassing, humiliating or offensive. Conduct involving the harassment (racial, sexual or of any other kind) of any employee is unacceptable. Should an employee believe that he or she has been harassed; the matter should be raised with the VP of Human Resources who will arrange for it to be investigated without delay, impartially and confidentially.
17. Staff complaints, whistle blowing and suggestions
Staff can expect that Reliable Health Care Services, Inc. will give due consideration to their constructive suggestions and will provide a considered and objective review of genuine concerns and complaints. Such concerns include fraud, misrepresentation, theft, harassment, discrimination and non-compliance with regulations, legislation, policies and procedures.
Concerns must be investigated impartially so that the employee's rights are protected. Employees who have concerns about potential unethical behavior should advise VP of Human Resources or CEO/President in the first instance. Employees may do this anonymously if they so wish. To ensure that confidentiality is maintained, employees should not discuss such concerns with colleagues or other third parties, unless specifically authorized or unless it is a legal requirement.
If the whistleblower is dissatisfied with the response to the concern, which he has raised, or if the concern relates to a matter of exceptional gravity or sensitivity, he can contact the President of Reliable Health Care Services, Inc. in accordance with Reliable Health Care Services, Inc. policy.
18. Policies and procedures
Reliable Health Care Services, Inc. recognizes that there are risks associated with carrying out any business activity. Management is responsible both for ensuring that policies and procedures are in place to manage risks and for complying with those policies and procedures. Employees and providers should ensure that they are aware of the risks associated with their activities and that they comply with policies and procedures in place to manage those risks.
19. Implementation
This Business Ethics Policy must be adopted by all as a minimum standard and issued to all Reliable Health Care Services, Inc. employees and providers. It will be published on our intranet and incorporated into future employment contracts where applicable. It will be monitored as part of Reliable Health Care Services, Inc. compliance processes. The policy will be reviewed annually.