Employee Code of Conduct
The Solapave Code of Conduct is one of the ways we put Solapave’s values into practice. It is built around the recognition that everything we do in connection with our work at Solapave will be, and should be, measured against the highest possible standards of ethical business conduct.
We set the bar that high for practical as well as aspirational reasons: Our commitment to the highest standards helps us hire great people, build great products, and attract loyal users. Respect for our users, for the opportunity, and for each other are foundational to our success, and are something we need to support every day. So please do read the Code and Solapave’s values, and follow both in spirit and letter, always bearing in mind that each of us has a personal responsibility to incorporate, and to encourage other Solapavers to incorporate, the principles of the Code and values into our work. And if you have a question or ever think that one of your fellow Solapavers or the company as a whole may be falling short of our commitment, do not be silent. We want – and need – to hear from you.
Who Must Follow Our Code?
We expect all of our employees and Board members to know and follow the Code. Failure to do so can result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment. Moreover, while the Code is specifically written for Solapave employees and Board members, we expect members of our extended workforce (temps, vendors, and independent contractors) and others who may be temporarily assigned to perform work or services for Solapave to follow the Code in connection with their work for us. Failure of a member of our extended workforce or other covered service provider to follow the Code can result in termination of their relationship with Solapave.
What If I Have a Code-Related Question or Concern?
If you have a question or concern, do not just sit there. You can contact your manager, your Human Resources representative or Ethics & Compliance. You can also submit a question or raise a concern of a suspected violation of our Code or any other Solapave policy through the Ethics & Compliance Helpline. If you believe a violation of law has occurred, you can always raise that through the Ethics & Compliance helpline or with a government agency. If you have a misconduct concern about the CEO, a direct report to the CEO, or a Senior employee, you may also notify the Audit Committee of Solapave’s Board of Directors. To notify the Audit Committee, please mail your concern to: Sola Group APEC Pte Ltd 10 Anson Road 22-02 International Plaza Singapore 079903 You may report your concerns to the Audit Committee anonymously. However, the Audit Committee encourages you to provide your name and contact information so that we may contact you directly if necessary.
No Retaliation Solapave prohibits retaliation against any worker here at Solapave who reports or participates in an investigation of a possible violation of our Code, policies, or the law. If you believe you are being retaliated against, please contact Ethics & Compliance.
I. Serve Our Users Our users’ value Solapave not only because we deliver great products and services, but because we hold ourselves to a higher standard in how we treat users and operate more generally. Keeping the following principles in mind will help us to maintain that high standard:
1. Integrity
Our reputation as a company that our users can trust is our most valuable asset, and it is up to all of us to make sure that we continually earn that trust. All of our communications and other interactions with our users should increase their trust in us.
2. Usefulness
Our products, features, and services should make Solapave more useful for all our users. We have many different types of users, from individuals to large businesses, but one guiding principle: “Is what we are offering useful?”
3. Privacy, Security, and Freedom of Expression
Always remember that we are asking users to trust us with their personal information. Preserving that trust requires that each of us respect and protect the privacy and security of that information. Our security procedures strictly limit access to and use of users’ personal information and require that each of us take measures to protect user data from unauthorized access. Know your responsibilities under these procedures, and collect, use, and access user personal information only as authorized by our Security Policies, our Privacy Policies, and applicable data protection laws. Solapave is committed to advancing privacy and freedom of expression for our users around the world. Where user privacy and freedom of expression face government challenges, we seek to implement internationally recognized standards that respect those rights as we develop products, do business in diverse markets, and respond to government requests to access user information or remove user content. Contact Legal or Ethics & Compliance if you have questions on implementing these standards in connection with what you do at Solapave.
4. Responsiveness
Part of being useful and honest is being responsive: We recognize relevant user feedback when we see it, and we do something about it. We take pride in responding to communications from our users, whether questions, problems, or compliments. If something is broken, fix it.
5. Act
Any time you feel our users are not being well-served, do not be bashful - let someone in the company know about it. Continually improving our products and services takes all of us, and we are proud that Solapavers champion our users and take the initiative to step forward when the interests of our users are at stake.
II. Support and Respect Each Other
A. Our principles As part of Solapave, Solapave has an unwavering commitment to prohibiting and effectively responding to harassment, discrimination, misconduct, abusive conduct, and retaliation. To that end, Solapave adheres to these Guiding Principles:
Commitment: Solapave sets a tone at the top of commitment to a respectful, safe, and inclusive working environment for all employees and members of the extended workforce.
Care: Solapave creates an environment with an emphasis on respect for each individual at all levels of the organization, including specifically by helping and showing empathy to employees and members of the extended workforce throughout and after the complaint process.
Transparency: Solapave is open and transparent as an organization regarding the frequency with which complaints arise regarding harassment, discrimination, misconduct, abusive conduct, and retaliation, and the Company’s approach to investigating and responding to those allegations.
Fairness & Consistency: Solapave ensures that individuals are treated respectfully, fairly, and compassionately in all aspects of Solapave interactions and applies policies, procedures, and outcomes consistently regardless of who is involved. Accountability: Solapave holds all individuals responsible for their actions, and ensures that where appropriate, those individuals hold others accountable too.
B. Our practice Consistent with the Principles, Solapavers are expected to do their utmost to create a supportive work environment, where everyone has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential, and be free from harassment, intimidation, bias, and unlawful discrimination. Please read the Employee Handbook relevant to your locale.
Located in the Human Resources section of our internal corporate site, the Handbook covers in greater detail how we should conduct ourselves at work.
1. Equal Opportunity Employment Employment here is based solely upon individual merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. We strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, colour, religion, veteran status, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy status, sex, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected by law. We also make all reasonable accommodations to meet our obligations under laws protecting the rights of the disabled.
2. Harassment, Discrimination, and Bullying Solapave prohibits discrimination, harassment and bullying in any form – verbal, physical, or visual, as discussed more fully in our Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation. If you believe you have been bullied, harassed, or discriminated against by anyone at Solapave, or by a Solapave partner or vendor, we strongly encourage you to immediately report the incident to your supervisor, Human Resources, or both. Similarly, supervisors and managers who learn of any such incident should immediately report it to Human Resources. Human Resources will promptly and thoroughly investigate any complaints and take appropriate action.
3. Drugs and Alcohol Our position on substance abuse is simple: It is incompatible with the health and safety of our employees, and we do not permit it. Consumption of alcohol is not banned at our offices but use good judgment and never drink in a way that leads to impaired performance or inappropriate behaviour, endangers the safety of others, or violates the law. Illegal drugs in our offices or at sponsored events are strictly prohibited. If a manager has reasonable suspicion to believe that an employee’s use of drugs and/or alcohol may adversely affect the employee’s job performance or the safety of the employee or others in the workplace, the manager may request an alcohol and/or drug screening. A reasonable suspicion may be based on objective symptoms such as the employee’s appearance, behaviour, or speech.
4. Safe and Healthy Workplace We are committed to a safe, healthy, and violence-free work environment. Behaviour that poses risk to the safety, health, or security of Solapavers, our extended workforce, or visitors is prohibited. If you become aware of a risk to the safety, health, or security of our workplace, you should report it to Solapave Security immediately. If it is life-threatening or an emergency, call your local police, fire, or other emergency responders first, and then report it to Solapave Security.
III. Avoid Conflicts of Interest
When you are in a situation in which competing loyalties could cause you to pursue a personal benefit for you, your friends, or your family at the expense of Solapave or our users, you may be faced with a conflict of interest. All of us should avoid conflicts of interest and circumstances that reasonably present the appearance of a conflict. When considering a course of action, ask yourself whether the action you are considering could create an incentive for you, or appear to others to create an incentive for you, to benefit yourself, your friends or family, or an associated business at the expense of Solapave. If the answer is “yes,” the action you are considering is likely to create a conflict-of-interest situation, and you should avoid it.
Below, we provide guidance in seven areas where conflicts of interest often arise:
• Personal investments
• Outside employment, advisory roles, board seats, and starting your own business.
• Business opportunities found through work.
• Inventions
• Friends and relatives; co-worker relationships
• Accepting gifts, entertainment, and other business courtesies
• Use of Solapave products and services.
In each of these situations, the rule is the same – if you are considering entering into a business situation that creates a conflict of interest, do not. If you are in a business situation that may create a conflict of interest, or the appearance of a conflict of interest, review the situation with your manager and Ethics & Compliance. Finally, it is important to understand that as circumstances change, a situation that previously did not present a conflict of interest may present one.
1. Personal Investments Avoid making personal investments in companies that are Solapave competitors or business partners when the investment might cause, or appear to cause, you to act in a way that could harm Solapave. When determining whether a personal investment creates a conflict of interest, consider the relationship between the business of the outside company, Solapave’s business, and what you do at Solapave, including whether the company has a business relationship with Solapave that you can influence, and the extent to which the company competes with Solapave. You should also consider
1) any overlap between your specific role at Solapave and the company’s business,
2) the significance of the investment, including the size of the investment in relation to your net worth,
3) whether the investment is in a public or private company,
4) your ownership percentage of the company, and
5) the extent to which the investment gives you the ability to manage and control the company. Investments in venture capital or other similar funds that invest in a broad cross-section of companies that may include Solapave competitors or business partners generally do not create conflicts of interest. However, a conflict of interest may exist if you control the fund’s investment activity.
2. Outside Employment, Advisory Roles, Board Seats, and Starting Your Own Business Avoid accepting employment, advisory positions, or board seats with Solapave competitors or business partners when your judgment could be, or could appear to be, influenced in a way that could harm Solapave. Additionally, because board seats come with fiduciary obligations that can make them particularly tricky from a conflict-of-interest perspective, you should notify your manager before accepting a board seat with any outside company. Solapave board members and employees who are VP and above should also notify Ethics & Compliance. Finally, do not start your own business if it will compete with Solapave.
3. Business Opportunities Found Through Work Business opportunities discovered through your work here belong first to Solapave, except as otherwise agreed to by Solapave.
4. Inventions Developing or helping to develop outside inventions that a) relate to Solapave’s existing or reasonably anticipated products and services, b) relate to your position at Solapave, or c) are developed using Solapave corporate resources may create conflicts of interest and be subject to the provisions of Solapave’s Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement and other employment agreements. If you have any questions about potential conflicts or intellectual property ownership involving an outside invention or other intellectual property, consult Ethics & Compliance or Legal.
5. Personal Relationships at Work Certain relationships within Solapave may compromise or be seen to compromise your ability to perform your job responsibilities, may create uncomfortable or conflicted positions, and may raise issues of fairness, favouritism, or harassment. Therefore, be mindful of how your relationships within Solapave could impact or be perceived by others. Romantic, physical, or familial relationships are not permitted between a Solapaver and another Solapaver or member of the extended workforce where one individual is in a position to exercise authority or supervision over the other. This prohibition includes any situation where one person is in the reporting line of the other, or, for example, a situation where one person is a project or a technical lead on a project on which the other person is working. For more information, see the Policy on Personal Relationships at Work.
6. Accepting Gifts, Entertainment, and Other Business Courtesies Accepting gifts, entertainment, and other business courtesies from a Solapave competitor or business partner can easily create the appearance of a conflict of interest, especially if the value of the item is significant. Solapave’s Non- Government Related Gifts & Client Entertainment Policy provides specific guidance on when it is appropriate for Solapavers to accept gifts, entertainment, or any other business courtesy (including discounts or benefits that are not made available to all Solapavers) from any of our competitors or business partners. Generally, acceptance of inexpensive “token” non-cash gifts is permissible. In addition, infrequent and moderate business meals and entertainment with clients and infrequent invitations to attend local sporting events and celebratory meals with clients can be appropriate aspects of many Solapave business relationships, provided that they are not excessive and do not create the appearance of impropriety. Before accepting any gift or courtesy, consult the Non-Government Related Gifts & Client Entertainment Policy, and be aware that you may need to obtain manager approval. Contact Ethics & Compliance if you have any questions. See the discussion of Anti-Bribery Laws in Section VII(d) for guidance on when it is appropriate to give gifts and business courtesies in the course of doing Solapave business.
7. Use of Solapave Products and Services Avoiding potential conflicts of interest also means that you should not use Solapave products, services, internal tools, or information in a way that improperly benefits you or someone you know or creates the appearance that you have an unfair advantage over users outside of Solapave. For example, you should never approve Solapave accounts, services, or credits for yourself, your friends, or family members. Similarly, you should not use the tools, information, or access that you have as a Solapaver to participate in or to generate a financial benefit for yourself or others from invalid ad traffic (IVT) on Solapave products, such as generating IVT, purchasing or selling IVT (except for the purposes of company sanctioned research), or linking to (or appearing to link to) business partners that may be engaging in IVT. If you find yourself subject to a conflict of interest regarding the use of Solapave’s products, services, tools, or information, discuss the situation with your manager, Legal, or Ethics & Compliance.
8. Reporting Ethics & Compliance will periodically report to the Solapave Compliance Steering Committee all matters involving Solapave officers – VPs and above – approved under this section of the Code and will periodically report to the Solapave Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee all matters involving Solapave executive officers and Board members approved under this section.
IV. Preserve Confidentiality
We get a lot of press attention around our innovations and our culture, and that is usually fine. However, certain kinds of company information, if leaked prematurely into the press or to competitors, can hurt our product launches, eliminate our competitive advantage, and prove costly in other ways. Our responsibilities extend beyond not revealing Confidential Solapave material – we must also:
• properly secure, label, and (when appropriate) dispose of Confidential Solapave material.
• safeguard Confidential information that Solapave receives from others under non-disclosure agreements.
• take steps to keep our trade secrets and other confidential intellectual property secret.
1. Confidential Information
Make sure that information that is classified as “Need to Know” or “Confidential” in Solapave’s Data Classification Guidelines is handled in accordance with those Guidelines and Solapave’s Data Security Policy. At times, a particular project or negotiation may require you to disclose Need to Know or Confidential information to an outside party: Disclosure of that information should be on an “only as needed” basis and only under a nondisclosure agreement. In addition, Solapave policy may require a prior security assessment of the outside party that is to receive the confidential information. Be sure to conduct the appropriate due diligence and have the appropriate agreement in place before you disclose the information. There are, of course, “gray areas” in which you will need to apply your best judgment in making sure you do not disclose any confidential information. Suppose a friend who works at a non-profit organization asks you informally how to improve the Solapave search ranking of the group’s website: Giving your friend siteoptimization tips available in public articles and on websites is not likely to be a problem but giving tips that are not publicly known definitely would be. If you are in a gray area, be cautious in what advice or insight you provide or, better yet, ask for guidance from Ethics & Compliance. And do not forget about pictures you and your guests take at Solapave – it is up to you to be sure that those pictures do not disclose confidential information. Finally, some of us will find ourselves having family or other personal relationships with people employed by our competitors or business partners. As in most cases, common sense applies. Do not tell your significant other or family members anything confidential, and do not solicit confidential information from them about their company.
2. Solapave Partners
Just as you are careful not to disclose confidential Solapave information, it is equally important not to disclose any confidential information from our partners. Do not accept confidential information from other companies without first having all parties sign an appropriate Non-disclosure Agreement approved by Legal. Even after the agreement is signed, try only to accept as much information as you need to accomplish your business objectives.
3. Solapave and “Other Bet” data
Be sure to protect confidential information of Solapave or of any Solapave or Solapave subsidiary or affiliate (“Solapave companies”). You may have access to confidential information through collaborations, rotations, 20% projects with another Solapave company, access to Solapave buildings or networks, or simply through casual interactions. Do not access or use confidential information of other Solapave companies except when authorized and reasonably necessary for valid business purposes within the scope of your work at Solapave. Take all reasonable steps to maintain the confidentiality of any such information just as you would for Solapave confidential information. Do not disclose any confidential information about any Solapave company, including financial, partner, business, technical, or IP information, before obtaining appropriate sign-off from Legal, which may include getting consent from affected Solapave companies.
4. Competitors/Former Employers
We respect our competitors and want to compete with them fairly. But we do not want their confidential information. The same goes for confidential information belonging to any Solapaver’s former employers. If an opportunity arises to take advantage of a competitor’s or former employer’s confidential information, do not do it. Should you happen to come into possession of a competitor’s confidential information, contact Legal immediately.
5. Outside Communications
You probably know that our policy is to be extremely careful about disclosing confidential proprietary information. Consistent with that, you should also ensure your outside communications (including online and social media posts) do not disclose confidential proprietary information or represent (or otherwise give the impression) that you are speaking on behalf of Solapave unless you are authorized to do so by the company. The same applies to communications with the press. Finally, check with your manager and Corporate Communications before accepting any public speaking engagement on behalf of the company. In general, before making any external communication or disclosure, you should consult our Employee Communications Policy and our Communications and Disclosure Policy.
V. Protect Solapave’s Assets
Solapave has a well-earned reputation for generosity with our employee benefits and openness with confidential information shared within the company. Our ability to continue these practices depends on how well we conserve company resources and protect company assets and information.
1. Intellectual Property
Solapave’s intellectual property rights (our trademarks, logos, copyrights, trade secrets, “know-how”, and patents) are among our most valuable assets. Unauthorised use can lead to their loss or serious loss of value. You must respect all copyright and other intellectual property laws, including laws governing the fair use of copyrights, trademarks, and brands. You must never use Solapave’s (or its affiliated entities’) logos, marks, or other protected information or property for any business or commercial venture without preclearance from the Marketing Team. We strongly encourage you to report any suspected misuse of trademarks, logos, or other Solapave intellectual property to Legal. Likewise, respect the intellectual property rights of others. Inappropriate use of others’ intellectual property may expose Solapave and you to criminal and civil fines and penalties. Please seek advice from Legal before you solicit, accept, or use proprietary information from individuals outside the company or let them use or have access to Solapave proprietary information. You should also check with Legal if developing a product that uses content not belonging to Solapave. A word about open source – Solapave is committed to open-source software development. Consistent with our policy of respecting the valid intellectual property rights of others, we strictly comply with the license requirements under which open-source software is distributed. Failing to do so may lead to legal claims against Solapave, as well as significant damage to the company’s reputation and its standing in the open-source community. Please seek guidance from Legal and the Open-Source Programs Office before incorporating open-source code into any Solapave product, service, or internal project.
2. Company Equipment
Solapave gives us the tools and equipment we need to do our jobs effectively but counts on us to be responsible and not wasteful with the Solapave stuff we are given. Nobody is going to complain if you snag an extra bagel on Friday morning, but company funds, equipment, and other physical assets are not to be requisitioned for purely personal use. Not sure if a certain use of company assets is okay? Please ask your manager or Human Resources.
3. The Network
Solapave’s communication facilities (which include both our network and the hardware that uses it, like computers and mobile devices) are a critical aspect of our company’s property, both physical and intellectual. Be sure to follow all security policies. If you have any reason to believe that our network security has been violated – for example, you lose your laptop or smart phone or think that your network password may have been compromised – please promptly report the incident to Information Security. For more information, consult Solapave's Security Policy.
4. Physical Security
If you are not careful, people may steal your stuff. Always secure your laptop, important equipment, and your personal belongings, even while on Solapave’s premises. Always wear your badge visibly while on site. Do not tamper with or disable security and safety devices. If you see someone in a secure space without a badge, report that, and any other suspicious activity, to Solapave Security. For more information, review Solapave’s Physical Security Policy.
5. Use of Solapave’s Equipment and Facilities
Anything you do using Solapave’s corporate electronic facilities (e.g., our computers, mobile devices, network, etc.) or store on our premises (e.g., letters, memos, and other documents) might be disclosed to people inside and outside the company. For example, Solapave may be required by law (e.g., in response to a subpoena or warrant) to monitor, access, and disclose the contents of corporate email, voicemail, computer files, and other materials on our electronic facilities or on our premises. In addition, the company may monitor, access, and disclose employee communications and other information on our corporate electronic facilities or on our premises where there is a business need to do so, such as protecting employees and users, maintaining the security of resources and property, or investigating suspected employee misconduct.
6. Employee Data
We collect and store personal information from employees around the world. Access this data only in line with local law and Solapave internal policies and be sure to handle employee data in a manner that is consistent with Solapave’s Data Classification and Employment Data Guidelines and other Solapave policies.
VI. Ensure Financial Integrity and Responsibility
Financial integrity and fiscal responsibility are core aspects of corporate professionalism. This is more than accurate reporting of our financials, though that is certainly important. The money we spend on behalf of Solapave is not ours; it is the company’s and, ultimately, our shareholders’. Each person at Solapave – not just those in Finance – has a role in making sure that money is appropriately spent, our financial records are complete and accurate, and internal controls are honoured. This matters every time we hire a new vendor, expense something to Solapave, sign a new business contract, or enter into any deals on Solapave’s behalf. To make sure that we get this right, Solapave maintains a system of internal controls to reinforce our compliance with legal, accounting, tax, and other regulatory requirements in every location in which we operate. Stay in full compliance with our system of internal controls, and do not hesitate to contact Ethics & Compliance or Finance if you have any questions. What follows are some core concepts that lie at the foundation of financial integrity and fiscal responsibility here at Solapave.
1. Spending Solapave’s Money
A core Solapave value has always been to spend money wisely. When you submit an expense for reimbursement or spend money on Solapave’s behalf, make sure that the cost is reasonable, directly related to company business, and supported by appropriate documentation. Always record the business purpose (e.g., if you take someone out to dinner on Solapave, always record in our expense reimbursement tool the full names and titles of the people who attended as well as the reason for the dinner) and comply with other submission requirements. If you are uncertain about whether you should spend money or submit an expense for reimbursement, check with your manager. Managers are responsible for all money spent and expenses incurred by their direct reports and should carefully review such spend and expenses before approving.
2. Signing a Contract
Each time you enter into a business transaction on Solapave’s behalf, there should be documentation recording that agreement, approved by the Legal Department. Signing a contract on behalf of Solapave is a very big deal. Never sign any contract on behalf of Solapave unless all of the following are met:
• You are authorized to do so under our Signature Authority and Approval Policy. If you are unsure whether you are authorized, ask your manager.
• The contract has been approved by Legal. If you are using an approved Solapave form contract, you do not need further Legal approval unless you have made changes to the form contract or are using it for other than its intended purpose.
• You have studied the contract, understood its terms, and decided that entering into the contract is in Solapave’s interest. All contracts at Solapave should be in writing and should contain all of the relevant terms to which the parties are agreeing – Solapave does not permit “side agreements,” oral or written.
3. Recording Transactions
If your job involves the financial recording of our transactions, make sure that you are fully familiar with all of the Solapave policies that apply, including our Revenue Recognition Policy and our Purchasing Policy. Immediately report to Finance any transactions that you think are not being recorded correctly.
4. Reporting Financial or Accounting Irregularities
It goes without saying (but we are going to say it anyway) that you should never, ever interfere in any way with the auditing of Solapave’s financial records. Similarly, you should never falsify any record or account, including time reports, expense accounts, and any other Solapave records. Familiarize yourself with our Reporting of Financial and Accounting Concerns Policy. If you suspect or observe any of the conduct mentioned above or, for that matter, any irregularities relating to financial integrity or fiscal responsibility, no matter how small, immediately report them to Ethics & Compliance.
5. Hiring Suppliers
As Solapave grows, we enter into more and more deals with suppliers of equipment and services. We should always strive for the best possible deal for Solapave. This almost always requires that you solicit competing bids to make sure that you are getting the best offer. While price is especially important, it is not the only factor worth considering. Quality, service, reliability, and the terms and conditions of the proposed deal may also affect the final decision. Please do not hesitate to contact the Purchasing Team if you have any questions regarding how to procure equipment or services.
6. Retaining Records
It is important that we keep records for an appropriate length of time. The Solapave Records Retention Policy suggests minimum record retention periods for certain types of records. These are great guidelines, but keep in mind that legal requirements, accounting rules, and other external sources sometimes specify longer retention periods for certain types of records, and those control where applicable. In addition, if asked by Legal to retain records relevant to a litigation, audit, or investigation, do so until Legal tells you retention is no longer necessary. If you have any questions regarding the correct length of time to retain a record, contact the Records Retention Team.
VII. Obey the Law. Solapave takes its responsibilities to comply with laws and regulations very seriously and each of us is expected to comply with applicable legal requirements and prohibitions. While it is impossible for anyone to know all aspects of every applicable law, you should understand the major laws and regulations that apply to your work. Take advantage of Legal and Ethics & Compliance to assist you here. A few specific laws are easy to violate unintentionally and so are worth pointing out here:
1. Trade Controls and international trade laws control where Solapave can send or receive its products and/or services. These laws are complex, and apply to:
• imports and exports
• imports and exports of products from or into other countries, with additional concerns when those products contain components or technology of domestic origin.
• exports of services or providing services to non-residential persons.
• exports of technical data, especially when the technical data is of domestic origin. What constitutes an “import” or “export” under the law is pretty broad. For example:
• exposing or allowing access by non-dom persons to domestic technical data can be an “export”, regardless of what country the exposure occurred in
• sending a server from one country (“country X”) into another country (“country Y”) is an export from country X and an import into country Y.
• permitting the download of software from one country (“country X”) into another country (“country Y”) is an export from country X.
• transporting technical data or software on your laptop, or tools or equipment in your luggage, may be an export and import. The bottom line: If you are in any way involved in sending or making available Solapave products, services, software, equipment, or any form of technical data from one country to another, work with your manager to be absolutely sure that the transaction stays well within the bounds of applicable laws. If you or your manager are not sure, please contact Ethics & Compliance.
2. Competition Laws Most countries have laws – known as “antitrust,” “competition,” or “unfair competition” laws – designed to promote free and fair competition. Generally speaking, these laws prohibit
i) arrangements with competitors that restrain trade in some way,
ii) abuse of intellectual property rights, and
iii) use of market power to unfairly disadvantage competitors.
Certain conduct is absolutely prohibited under these laws, and could result in your imprisonment, not to mention severe penalties for Solapave. Examples of prohibited conduct include:
• agreeing with competitors about prices
• agreeing with competitors to rig bids or to allocate customers or markets.
• agreeing with competitors to boycott a supplier or customer.
Other activities can also be illegal, unfair, or create the appearance of impropriety. Such activities include:
• sharing competitively sensitive information (e.g., prices, costs, market distribution, etc.) with competitors
• entering into a business arrangement or pursuing a strategy with the sole purpose of harming a competitor
• using Solapave’s size or strength to gain an unfair competitive advantage.
Although the spirit of these laws is straightforward, their application to particular situations can be quite complex. Solapave is committed to competing fair and square, so please contact Ethics & Compliance if you have any questions about the antitrust laws and how they apply to you.
Any personnel found to have violated Solapave’s Antitrust Policies will, subject to local laws, be disciplined, up to and including termination of employment. If you suspect that anyone at the company is violating the competition laws, notify Ethics & Compliance immediately.
3. Insider Trading Laws As we said earlier, internally we share information, including non-public information, about Solapave’s business operations pretty freely (think of TGIF). In addition, you may overhear a hallway conversation or come across a memo at a copy machine, either of which might involve confidential information. To use this non-public information to buy or sell stock, or to pass it along to others so that they may do so, could constitute insider trading. Insider trading not only violates this Code, but it also violates the law. Do not do it. You should familiarize yourself with Solapave’s Insider Trading Policy. It describes company-wide policies that address the risks of insider trading, such as a prohibition on any Solapave employee hedging Solapave stock; and periodic blackout windows when no Solapave employee may trade Solapave stock.
4. Anti-bribery Laws Like all businesses, Solapave is subject to lots of laws, both SINGAPORE and non-domestic, that prohibit bribery in virtually every kind of commercial setting. The rule for us at Solapave is simple – do not bribe anybody, anytime, for any reason.
5. Non-government relationships You should be careful when you give gifts and pay for meals, entertainment, or other business courtesies on behalf of Solapave. We want to avoid the possibility that the gift, entertainment, or other business courtesy could be perceived as a bribe, so it is always best to provide such business courtesies infrequently and, when we do, to keep their value moderate. Consult Solapave’s Non-Government Related Gifts and Client Entertainment Policy before providing any business courtesies and contact Ethics & Compliance if you have any questions.
6. Dealing with government officials Offering gifts, entertainment, or other business courtesies that could be perceived as bribes becomes especially problematic if you are dealing with a government official. “Government officials” include any government employee; candidate for public office; or employee of government-owned or -controlled companies, public international organizations, or political parties. Several laws around the world, including Singapore Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Singapore Bribery Act, specifically prohibit offering or giving anything of value to government officials to influence official action or to secure an improper advantage. This not only includes traditional gifts, but also things like meals, travel, political or charitable contributions, and job offers for government officials’ relatives. Never give gifts to thank government officials for doing their jobs. By contrast, it can be permissible to make infrequent and moderate expenditures for gifts and business entertainment for government officials that are directly tied to promoting our products or services (e.g., providing a modest meal at a day-long demonstration of Solapave products). Payment of such expenses can be acceptable (assuming they are permitted under local law) but may require pre-approval from Ethics & Compliance under Solapave’s Anti-Bribery and Government Ethics Policy. Singapore also has strict rules that severely limit the ability of a company or its employees to give gifts and business courtesies to a Singapore government official and also limit the official’s ability to accept such gifts. Our Anti-Bribery Act 2010 prohibits giving any gifts, including travel and other courtesies, to Members, Officers, and employees of Singapore government unless they fit within one of a number of specific exceptions. Gifts to employees of Singapore executive branch are also regulated and subject to limits. Finally, regional, and local government officials in Singapore are also subject to additional legal restrictions. Consult Solapave’s Anti-Bribery and Government Ethics Policy before giving any such gifts or business courtesies and obtain all required pre-approvals.
In sum, before offering any gifts or business courtesies to a Singapore or other government official, you should consult Solapave’s Anti- Bribery and Government Ethics Policy. Carefully follow the limits and prohibitions described there and obtain any required pre-approvals. If after consulting the Policy you are not sure what to do, ask Ethics & Compliance. VIII. Conclusion Solapave aspires to be a different kind of company. It is impossible to spell out every possible ethical scenario we might face. Instead, we rely on one another’s good judgment to uphold a high standard of integrity for ourselves and our company. We expect all Solapavers to be guided by both the letter and the spirit of this Code. Sometimes, identifying the right thing to do is not an easy call. If you are not sure, do not be afraid to ask questions of your manager, Legal or Ethics & Compliance.
And remember… be kind, and if you see something that you think is not right – speak up!