Group One Ethics Policy
Group One Investments, LLC and its affiliated companies (henceforth within referred to as “The Company”, “Company”, or the “organization”) designed this Ethics Policy to reflect at its core The Company’s commitment to the highest standards of business practices and integrity expressed in The Company’s Standards of Business Conduct Policy Statement. All employees, subcontractors, and suppliers must dedicate themselves to pursuing their work with honesty, fairness, and respect for others, and be ever mindful that there is no “right way” to do the “wrong thing.”
The Ethics Policy helps clarify The Company’s standard of conduct. It makes clear that The Company expects all employees, subcontractors, and suppliers to understand the ethical considerations associated with their actions. The Company’s Ethics Policy affirms its long-standing commitment to not merely obey the law, but also to conduct our business and interact with others with integrity and without deception.
Purpose
The purpose of this Ethics Policy is to support a culture of openness, trust, and integrity in all The Company’s business practices and daily interactions, both internal and external.
Principles and Values
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- Our Customers – We are dedicated to 100% customer satisfaction. We are devoted to developing “customer enthusiasm” and are passionate about exceeding customer expectations. We dedicate ourselves to anticipating the changing needs of customers and creating timely, innovative, and superior programs, products and services.
- Integrity, Honesty, Respect in All our Relationships – The Company’s reputation for integrity is tested every day by the way we treat customers, one another, and others we interact with. Integrity, honesty, and respect are crucial elements in developing and maintaining strong and lasting relationships. The Company is committed to the highest standards of ethics and business conduct in all our relationships, whether with employees, directors, executives, shareholders, customers, government agencies, associates, subcontractors, suppliers, competitors, and communities in which we operate. We remain true to our founding values of quality, honesty, and hard work. The Company embraces diversity, and each person associated with The Company; regardless of role and position, shall refrain from discrimination and misconduct of any kind. Any breach of these Standards will lead to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal or cancellation of service.
- Compliance, Fraud, Accountability – The Company is committed to following all federal, state, local laws, regulations, Company policies, and procedures in all occupied spaces while in the pursuit of business activities. It is the responsibility of every employee, subcontractor, and supplier to familiarize themselves with The Company’s policies, procedures, and work rules as well as any system of laws governing the state, locality, and territory of which they work.
The Company is committed to engaging in business practices that are legal and ethical, and any behaviors of fraud or other actions of impropriety are forbidden by The Company. The Company defines fraud and impropriety actions as any intentional act or omission designed to deceive others, resulting in the victim suffering a loss and/or the perpetrator achieving a gain. Any party found liable for such practices will face severe discipline, which may include immediate dismissal and prosecution to the fullest extent allowed by law. Suppliers and subcontractors may face cancellation of service.
As we think of “what we do” and “how we do it,” always remember our responsibility to ask ourselves: “Am I doing the ‘right thing’, for the ‘right reason’?” - Conflicts of Interest, Bribes/Kickbacks, Incident Reporting – The Company strictly prohibits all acts of extortion, commercial or governmental bribery or kickbacks. Employees, subcontractors, and suppliers are prohibited from, either directly or indirectly, soliciting or accepting personal rebates, kickbacks or any form of “under-the-table” payments. This not only includes cash payments, but any other service or thing of value which may be intended to influence the actions of any employee or representative of, or on behalf of, The Company.
Any Company employee, subcontractor or supplier who has reasonable grounds to believe that an act of extortion, bribery or kickbacks has occurred or may be occurring shall immediately report, in writing, the possible violation. Such reports shall be made to The Company’s Director of Corporate Ethics and Compliance, by email: [email protected] or by phone: (888) 867-7977. All reporting is kept confidential. - Safety and Safe Places – The Company is committed to the highest standards of safety. This commitment requires that The Company invest in its employee health and safety programs and take environmental considerations into the design and selection of equipment, supplies, facilities, operations, and processes. A safe work environment is everyone’s responsibility and is dependent on the actions of The Company and its employees, subcontractors, and suppliers. It is important that all employees, subcontractors, and suppliers take an active role in ensuring a safe workplace. Every employee, subcontractor, and supplier has the responsibility to work safely and to encourage others to work safely. It is the responsibility of every employee, subcontractor, and supplier to immediately bring to the attention of their Manager, Director, CEO, Director of Safety, or Director of Company Ethics and Compliance any actual or potentially dangerous workplace conditions.
- Whistleblower Protection Policy – The objective of the Whistleblower Protection Policy is to encourage Company employees, subcontractors, and suppliers to step forward without fear of retaliation, or adverse personnel or company action and report conduct which they know or reasonably believe involves corruption, criminal activity, other violations of applicable federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations, conflict of interest, gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds or abuse of authority within The Company.
“Adverse personnel or company action” shall include any material alteration to existing terms, conditions and privileges of employment or contract including, without limitation, dismissal, demotion, suspension, compulsory leave, disciplinary action, negative performance evaluation, any action resulting in loss of staff, office space or equipment or other benefit, failure to appoint, failure to promote, any transfer or assignment or failure to transfer or assign against the wishes of the affected employee, or reduction or cancellation of active subcontract or purchasing agreement.
An employee or vendor of The Company who believes that an employee of The Company has taken or participated in an adverse personnel or company action in violation of this Whistleblower Protection Policy may report such action to the Director of Corporate Ethics and Compliance in accordance with the procedures established by Human Resources. As part of such procedures, the Director of Corporate Ethics and Compliance has established and maintains a “Hotline” to facilitate reporting on either an anonymous or confidential basis under this Whistleblower Protection Policy. The Company’s Hotline information is (888)-867-7977, or by email at [email protected]. - Conclusion – As an employee, subcontractor, or supplier of The Company, you agree that it your duty and responsibility to read, understand, and actively execute the expectations expressed in this Ethics Policy, and that principles and values within sits at the core of The Company’s commitment to excellence. All employees, subcontractors, and suppliers with questions or concerns or needing clarity regarding this policy, are encouraged to contact the Director of Company Ethics and Compliance by email at: [email protected].
- End of Policy