How does your organization communicate its values, commitments and expectations to your workforce? More often than not, the way people behave and lead sets the tone for workplace culture – and your code of conduct shapes that standard. But, the current state of this foundational policy may feel more like a hornet’s nest than a helpful guide.
In all reality, many organizations under-utilize their code of conduct. So, let’s take a look at how we can clean off some of the proverbial cobwebs and explore ways to improve workplace culture through a meaningful and impactful code of conduct. When done well, your code of conduct becomes the cornerstone of how your company culture is lived out and how your workforce makes ethical decisions each day.
Why a code of conduct is important in the workplace
Most employees show up every day to get the job done, and to do it well. It’s a requirement most place on themselves, and it’s important to reinforce personal outcomes with company objectives. Not only does the code of conduct outline expected behavior for employees, but it also shows business partners, investors, customers and prospects your organization’s culture of integrity. A well-written code of conduct is easy to understand and drives ethical decision-making at every level, while strengthening trust and accountability in the workplace.
All of this sounds right, so, what does it mean? Equipping, educating and guiding your workforce on how to navigate gray areas is key to mitigating risk by offering a framework to fall back on when making tough decisions. The goal of a robust code of conduct is to unify the organization through a shared lens of moral aptitude with a focus on communication , navigating ethical dilemmas, resolving conflicts of interest, and identifying the right channels to speak up when something feels off.
What to include in your code of conduct
Ready for an uncomfortable truth? Many times, a code of conduct is sent out to employees during onboarding, or an annual attestation campaign, then stored within the depths of your policy management system. Often, it’s a static, outdated and unengaging PDF document, or worse – a text-heavy document filled with legalese. Seemingly complex topics are glossed over because they don’t read as relevant. But, we’re all faced with thousands of decisions a day that drive our behavior through personal habits and the environment around us.
So, now that we’ve covered the common ways a code of conduct can underperform and your alarm bells are ringing, it’s time to talk about ways to improve your code of conduct engagement and present it as the valuable resource it’s meant to be.
The code of conduct for any organization contains a wealth of information. A non-exhaustive list of important items a code should cover include:
- A letter from your CEO to set the tone from the top
- An interactive table of contents for easy navigation
- Important and up-to-date contact details for your internal reporting hotline, human resources, benefits information, etc.
- A statement of your company values and commitments
- An overview on policies regarding employee conduct and behavior expectations
- Information on paid time off policies
These elements ensure that employees can navigate day-to-day expectations with clarity and align with your company’s commitment to ethical behavior and a supportive work environment.
So, how do you make a code of conduct “sticky?” How do you ensure your employees treat it as an evolving, always-available resource?
Code of conduct, but make it interactive
One way your organization can improve information retention is by creating an engaging code of conduct. This code of conduct development process involves maintaining current information, breaking down complex risk areas into a more digestible format, latest branding, as well as interactive elements to encourage employees to delve deeper into the content.
Start by bringing your code to life with a web-based code of conduct, an approach that reflects how today’s organizations are conducting business in a digital-first world. The online format allows your code of conduct to be more user-friendly and accessible on-the go. We offer a subscription with continuous collaboration, quarterly analytics on user engagement, in-depth reviews from experts, updates based on best practice recommendations and launch support through relevant engagement materials.
So, instead of a PDF that only surfaces during key milestones throughout an employee’s experience, the web-based code of conduct transforms your code into a dynamic resource, readily available to address your employees’ questions and provide data on how they interact with the content. Talk about a win-win.
How can this impact culture?
An approachable, clear and interactive code of conduct is the first step to integrating company culture within your workforce and reinforcing a commitment to ethical behavior across the organization. Engaged employees are more enthusiastic, collaborative, productive and profitable, resulting in reduced absenteeism and turnover rates. To capture its full potential, your code of conduct needs to consistently and accurately communicate your values, goals and purpose to all employees. This fosters a sense of connection to the organization as a whole and a shared mission.
However, if your code is outdated with varied distribution methods, difficult to access, or let’s just say it – boring – it probably won’t make a lasting impact. So, if this post has you thinking about the current state of your code of conduct, good! Perhaps it’s time to revisit this foundational policy and better leverage our valuable services. When the entire workforce understands your organization’s mission, values and expectations, it is easier to hold people accountable when working towards a common goal.
What makes a good code of conduct?
A good code of conduct should:
- Address ethical dilemmas and real-life scenarios
- Support your diversity and inclusion initiatives
- Clearly outline expectations for acting with integrity
- Include policies on conflicts of interest and intellectual property
- Be regularly updated to ensure compliance with evolving standards
There are many
examples of what a good code of conduct looks and sounds like – and NAVEX is here to help develop a customized, interactive code of conduct for your organization. Learn more about our web-based code of conduct and other
code of conduct services.
View the NAVEX Code of Conduct
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is a code of conduct, and why is it essential for an organization?
A code of conduct is a set of guidelines and principles that outline expected behaviors and ethical standards within an organization. It serves as a guide for employees to understand their responsibilities, how to maintain a positive workplace culture and who to go to when those two things are misaligned. The purpose of a code of conduct is to promote integrity, compliance, and accountability within the workplace.
2. How often should a code of conduct be updated?
A code of conduct should be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure it remains relevant and aligned with the organization’s values and industry standards. An annual review is best practice and your code of conduct should be updated as a result of significant organizational shifts and changes to industry-specific or global regulations.
3. What should be included in a code of conduct’s statement of company values and commitments?
The statement should reflect the core values, mission and vision of the organization by articulating the company’s commitment to ethical behavior, representation and belonging, and any other key initiatives that are integral to the overall culture and mission.
4. How can a web-based code of conduct benefit an organization?
A web-based code of conduct offers several advantages, including on-the-go access to pertinent information for making ethical decisions, interactivity and ease of updates. The online format provides employees with a user-friendly platform to access the code of conduct from anywhere, promotes engagement through interactive features and allows for real-time updates to keep it current. The best part? Use the analytics to guide internal decisions for your Ethics & Compliance program like high-traffic topics requiring additional training initiatives, country-specific views indicating a regional discrepancy, and the most valuable and helpful resources listed within the code of conduct.
5. How can an interactive code of conduct enhance employee engagement?
An interactive code of conduct encourages employees to explore the content actively in a way that works best for them. Whether it’s downloading the PDF version from the web for reference, accessing the code of conduct while in the field or at home, or navigating to relevant content with a quick scan of a QR code. This, in turn, can lead to better understanding and compliance with the code.
6. Can NAVEX assist in creating a customized code of conduct for my organization?
Yes! We could stop there but know that NAVEX offers customized code of conduct solutions tailored to your organization’s needs. NAVEX can help you develop a people-first, interactive code that aligns with your company’s culture and objectives. Contact us to get started.
