Brickworks Group has always had an unwritten code of acceptable conduct expected of all employees while engaged on Company business.
The Board has established a Code of Conduct for the Brickworks Group of companies that places a formal framework around the conduct expected of all employees. This code is centred on having the Company and its employees achieve the highest integrity in all its business dealings, at all levels of the organisation. Our expectation is that all employees will be aware of the required standard of conduct to enable the Group to conduct its affairs in a legal and socially responsible manner.
ETHICAL STANDARDS
Brickworks believes that a reputation for honesty and integrity is one of the company’s most important corporate assets.
The policy of the Brickworks divisions is to achieve the goal of highest integrity in all its business dealings, at all levels of the organisation, wherever Brickworks operates.
Brickworks will strictly obey the laws under which it operates. The company cares about how results are achieved, and will not tolerate employees who deal dishonestly or who break the law in carrying out company business.
Brickworks expects its employees at all levels to comply with its policies and rules. The company expects its books and records to be kept honestly and scrupulously, and its employees to be open and honest with their managers and with the company’s auditors.
It is important that all our actions and decisions are not only completely lawful but also comply with current moral and community standards. Even though a contemplated decision or action related to Brickworks Group's business may be lawful, you should not carry it out if you would be unhappy or embarrassed if details of your decision or action were to be revealed to your family, friends, members of the community that you respect or revealed to colleagues in your professional association.
All employees are required to avoid any conflict between their personal interests and the interests of Brickworks in their dealings with customers, suppliers and other third parties.
Brickworks management will not criticise an employee who behaves with integrity and in compliance with this Ethics Policy, even if it impacts on corporate results.
Brickworks management will support any employee who brings any breaches of this policy to their attention.
Brickworks Group's reputation depends on each of us adopting these standards and we all, as Brickworks Group employees, have a responsibility to act at all times in accordance with these standards.
EXCELLENCE IN PERFORMANCE
Brickworks Group has a valuable reputation for excellence in all its activities. The continued success and growth of the Company is very much dependent on the consistent achievement of excellence and quality in all Company operations and this, in turn, can only be realised when all employees adopt the aims of consistent quality and excellence in product and performance.
To achieve these aims, we must ensure that we have available an adequate body of knowledge for the quality and excellence required in our work and we must acknowledge that each of us has a responsibility to continue to develop our professional expertise and to encourage each of our fellow employees to do likewise.
It is not unusual to require help and assistance and, rather than make an uninformed or rash decision, we all have the obligation to refer matters in which we need assistance to a Supervisor or Manager qualified to provide advice. We all have an obligation to seek advice on both technical and ethical matters where necessary and to provide help when requested.
UNAUTHORISED GAINS
No employee is to accept gifts, free services, discounts, secret commissions or any other gains from suppliers, contractors or clients. This is particularly applicable where the potential gain is intended to influence the outcome of business decisions being made by employees.
This requirement does not prevent us from attending social or sporting functions, but makes the receipt of gifts, other than those of a very minor nature (less than $50) at any time of the year unacceptable.
It is also important that, should you wish to personally utilise goods or services from any supplier or subcontractor to Brickworks Group, the basis of that arrangement be approved in writing by the Managing Director/ CEO or General Manager prior to commitment.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The prime business loyalty of each employee is to Brickworks Group, its shareholders and its clients.
In situations where personal interests conflict with those of Brickworks Group, the conflict must be avoided or managed so that there is no detriment to Brickworks Group's interests. Where there is doubt that a conflict of interest exists, or it is believed a potential conflict may arise, then it must be discussed with senior management.
If, however, a conflict of interest has been allowed to develop, then it must be disclosed immediately to senior management.
CONFIDENTIALITY
As employees, we must keep confidential all competitive, commercially sensitive and proprietary information which is the property of Brickworks Group (or its clients, consultants, subcontractors and suppliers) and must not disclose such information without specific authorisation from senior management.
PUBLIC STATEMENTS
Employees must not make public statements or participate in any type of media interview on work related subjects unless specifically authorised to do so. This applies especially when "off the record" comments may be requested from us in a relatively informal fashion by news media.
INSIDER TRADING
It is not only against the law but also ethically wrong for us to benefit financially from dealing in shares of the parent company (Brickworks Limited) when we are in possession of significant price sensitive information about Brickworks Limited or its business and this information is not available to the public.
Refer to Share Trading Policy on this website
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, ANTI-DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT
Brickworks Group has established an Equal Employment Opportunity Policy, together with an Anti-Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Policy. All employees have an obligation to act during all work related activities in accordance with these policies.
