Purpose: At World Objective News, our commitment to integrity and ethical conduct is paramount. This policy serves as a guide for all team members, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, and fostering a culture of trust and accountability.
Gifts, Favors, and Payments:
- Gifts, favors, and payments from World Objective News should align with ethical business practices, have a modest value, comply with the law, and avoid causing embarrassment upon public disclosure.
- Providing payments, commissions, or compensation to associates of customers without a written contract is prohibited.
Gifts, Favors, Entertainment, and Payments Received:
- Associates should not seek or accept gifts, favors, entertainment, or payments without a legitimate business purpose, particularly from entities doing or seeking to do business with World Objective News.
- Exceptions are made for customary business courtesies and gifts of nominal value, but strict guidelines apply, especially concerning gifts from suppliers.
Conflicts of Interest:
- Associates should avoid situations where their personal interests conflict with those of World Objective News, and should promptly disclose any such conflicts to their manager.
- This includes having ownership in external enterprises that do business with or compete against World Objective News, serving in roles with competitors, or any other circumstances that may compromise the company’s interests.
Confidential Information:
- Unauthorized disclosure or use of confidential information is strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action, including termination.
Compliance:
- Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination. Associates are required to report any violations they become aware of.
Social Media Guidelines:
Introduction:
- Social media posts should demonstrate good judgment, as they are public statements with lasting consequences.
- Associates are expected to understand and adhere to company policies outlined in the Employee Handbook.
Be Careful What You Post:
- Associates are personally accountable for their online activities, and inappropriate content may lead to disciplinary action, including termination.
- Posts should reflect personal opinions, with any references to World Objective News clearly identified as personal viewpoints.
Be Respectful and Professional:
- Maintain professionalism and courtesy in all communications, avoiding posts that could be perceived as offensive, threatening, or harassing.
- Respect the privacy of others and refrain from sharing false or misleading information.
Be Honest and Accurate:
- Accuracy is crucial, and any errors should be promptly corrected. Associates should be transparent about any modifications made to previous posts.
Respect Laws and Confidentiality:
- Associates must comply with all legal and confidentiality requirements, including copyright and privacy laws. Confidential company information should never be disclosed without proper authorization.
Report Your Concerns:
- Any concerns regarding potential policy violations should be promptly reported to Human Resources. Retaliation against whistleblowers is strictly prohibited.
Plagiarism and Fairness:
- Plagiarism is not tolerated at World Objective News, and reporters must ensure fairness by providing all parties involved in a story with the opportunity to respond adequately.