QinetiQ Group business ethics policy
Summary
Business ethics are critical for QinetiQ’s success because they build trust and transparency. Trust and transparency, in turn, build the right environment for our people, our customers, our partners and suppliers, our shareholders and the communities in which we work. They are fundamental to how we work and live throughout the world. Each of us is responsible for the consequences of our actions while conducting company business. Therefore, we must conduct business in a manner that is ethical, compliant with relevant legal and regulatory requirements, and lacking even the appearance of impropriety.
In creating value for its stakeholders we recognise the obligations we have in all countries in which we operate, towards those with whom we have dealings; employees, customers, partners, suppliers, competitors, regulators, shareholders and the community at large.
In delivering our objectives and commitments to our stakeholders, it is our policy to act fairly, legally, truthfully and with integrity and to care for people, property, intellectual assets, the environment and the company’s reputation.
Our actions are guided by the core QinetiQ values of integrity, excellence, care, teamwork and commitment and with respect for the human rights and best interests of our employees. We also respect the legitimate interests of those with whom we interact.
Business principles
In the conduct of their affairs, QinetiQ companies follow the principles set out below.
Complying with the law
QinetiQ companies comply with applicable laws and regulations wherever they operate and will not operate within areas where there would be a conflict with QinetiQ values or the principles articulated in this policy.
People
At all times, we treat all individuals fairly and impartially and care for the health and safety of all those for whom we have responsibility. We do not tolerate any form of harassment, bullying or other abusive conduct.
We expect all our employees to use their best endeavours to deliver the Company’s goals and comply with the principles of this policy.
We recruit, employ, promote and reward on the basis of an individual’s ability to do the job and we are committed to develop and enhance each employee’s skills and capabilities to our mutual benefit.
Customers, partners and suppliers
We are committed to establishing mutually beneficial relations with our customers, suppliers and business partners and we honour and enforce the terms of the contracts to which we commit.
We conduct our operations in accordance with the principles of fair competition and will not tolerate any offer or acceptance of any gift, hospitality or other inducement designed to influence unduly a decision. The giving and receiving of legitimate gifts and hospitality must be transparent and, if material, be reported under local arrangements.
The appointment of agents, representatives, intermediaries or other advisers to facilitate sales is undertaken only after a thorough, recognised, due diligence process. All payments to such contractors must be legitimate, reasonable and transparent.
We strive only to do business with organisations who uphold similar business ethics principles.
The environment
We are committed to improving the management of our environmental impact and will seek to mitigate reasonably the potential harmful effects of our operations.
Communities
We recognise the impact that an employer can have in the local community and we consider the community as one of the stakeholders in our activities.
We co-operate with governments and other organisations, either alone or through bodies such as trade associations, in the development of proposed legislation and regulation that may affect our business interests and in projects that are in both our and, as appropriate, local or national interests.
QinetiQ does not support any political party. Employees may engage in political activity in a personal capacity provided that no conflict of interest ensues.
Communications
We communicate openly with all stakeholders within the bounds of commercial confidentiality and regulatory constraints, including those which relate to national security.
We are committed to ensuring that our announcements are accurate, timely and understandable, taking into account applicable standards and regulations.
All business communications are made through approved systems and channels. Inappropriate use of the internet is not tolerated.
Conflicts of interest
Both as companies and employees, we are committed to avoiding or declaring conflicts of interest that may lead (or be seen to lead) to divided loyalties.
We do not tolerate any misuse of information to gain advantage for either an individual or the Company.
Protection of assets
We protect our brand, physical, financial and intellectual assets and those assets entrusted to us by others. We protect the confidentiality of information we acquire about other organisations and their interests and the information we necessarily have about people whether employees or not.
Policies and procedures
We have, and will continue to put in place, sufficient policies and procedures to deliver our strategic intent in accordance with these business principles. We require all our employees and those others acting under our direction to follow those policies and procedures and commit the Company only within the bounds of competence and delegated authority and only after explicit consideration of the ethical and reputational risks.
Implementation
This business ethics policy applies to all of the QinetiQ Group companies and to their employees, those seconded in or contracted as individuals.
Where we operate with third parties, or ventures where it does not have a controlling interest, we seek to promote the application of business practices that have a similar effect.
Managers at all levels are required to ensure that these principles are understood and followed by all employees through appropriate communication, training, testing and performance management.
The QinetiQ Group Board requires that employees bring to its attention, or that of senior management, any breach or suspected breach of these principles. Allegiance Inc.’s SilentWhistle™ confidential reporting systems are in place to allow such reporting without fear of any retaliation; access details are provided locally.