HTC 2008 Annual Report Download - page 123

Financial Information | 111
110 | 2008 Annual Report
1.1 Work Environments
HTC is committed to comply with local laws and
regulations to establish a safe and healthy
workplace, free from recognized hazards.
Furthermore, HTC is thoroughly dedicated to
providing employees with a workplace that is free
of harassment (including sexual harassment) and
discrimination. Any language or behavior of
intention to cause hostilities or violations of this
policy is strictly prohibited and shall be reported to
a responsible authority immediately.
1.2 Corporate Confidentiality
During the term of employment with HTC and
thereafter, each employee must hold in strict
confidence and not disclose, directly or indirectly,
any “Confidential Information” (as defined below)
gained from HTC or its customers or
venders/suppliers to any third party without the
prior written consent of HTC. “Confidential
Information” must be used only for the purpose of
executing work for HTC. “Confidential Information”
shall mean all business, technical, operational or
other information that is not generally known to the
public and that an employee develops, has access
to, and becomes acquainted with during the term
of employment, whether or not such information
(A) is owned by HTC, HTC’s customers,
venders/suppliers, or any third party with which
HTC desires to establish a business relationship
with; (B) is in oral, written, drawn or electronic
media form; (C) is subject matter for the
application of patents, trademarks, copyrights, or
other intellectual property rights; or (D) is labeled
with “Confidential” or an equivalent word.
Confidential information may include, but is not
limited to the following:
1. Business plans, manufacturing and marketing
plans, procurement plans, product roadmaps,
product design records, product test plans and
reports, product software and source codes,
product pricing, product appearance, product
specifications, tooling specifications, personnel
information, financial information, customer lists,
venders/supplier lists, distributor lists, raw
materials and product inventory information, all
quality records, trade secrets, and other
information related to the Company’s business
activities;
2. Documents, databases, or other related
materials to any computer programs or any
development stages thereof;
3. Discoveries, concepts, ideas, designs,
sketches, engineering drawings, specifications,
circuit layouts, circuit diagrams, mechanical
drawings, flow charts, production processes,
procedures, models, molds, samples,
components, trouble shooting guides, chips and
other know-how; and
4. Proprietary information of any third party (such
as customers or venders/suppliers) that the
Company has a duty of confidentiality pursuant to
contracts or required by any applicable laws.
1.3 Protection of Property, HTC’s Assets, and
Personal Information
Copyrights, patents, trademarks/secrets, the terms
of license agreements and any kind of intellectual
property are under protection by related laws or
regulations; violations are strictly prohibited. The
Company’s assets are not limited to physical
equipment and facilities only, but also include
technologies, trademarks, and other invisible
concepts & confidential information. The utilization
of company assets is for business matters and
should be maintained, updated, and recorded
properly and regularly. This is also applicable to
the use of employee personal data. Those who are
dealing with employee data shall consider the
business matters and employees’ privacy as well.
The only exception that permits the revelation of
employees’ personal data is where such disclosure
is required by government laws.
1.4 Equal Opportunity
HTC’s Employment Policy is to comply with all
applicable laws. Hiring decisions are based on
HTC’s business needs and the qualifications of
applicants, and HTC strives to provide equal
employment opportunities for all applicants and
employees without regard to non-job-related
factors, such as race, color, social class, language,
religion, political affiliation, national origin, gender,
sexual orientation, marital status, appearance,
disability, previous union membership etc.
Everyone must be treated with dignity and respect.
This principle applies to all areas of employment,
including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring,
training, promotion, compensation, benefits,
transfer, and social and recreational programs. All
employees should be responsible for the data
accuracy and quality in any type of report in all
aspects of their daily work. Any intention of
misleading or incorrect data is not acceptable and
may cause disciplinary action.
1.5 Political Activities
The Company encourages employees to
participate in public activities as responsible
citizens. However, HTC employees are prohibited
from engaging in political activities on behalf of
HTC. The Company is not allowed to donate or
engage the political activities in most global
operations. Therefore, employees must be aware
of that their involvements are on an individual
basis, and no contribution or donation to political
candidates or parties can be made under the
company name. Furthermore, employees must not
organize or hold any speeches or activities
connected to political activities on Company
premises.
2.0 Venders/Suppliers and Customers
Relationship
It is a basic principle in Company business
operations to maintain a good relationship with our
venders/suppliers and customers.
2.1 Firm and Rational Attitude
In securing and negotiating business, all
employees should attempt to establish long-term
relationships with our customers and
venders/suppliers by providing essential and
accurate information about our products and
services. Employees shall demonstrate their
professionalism with a sincere, firm, and rational
attitude while dealing with customers or
venders/suppliers. Conflicts caused by emotional
languages or behaviors are strictly prohibited.
2.2 Product Quality and Safety
The Company is committed to pursue excellence
and maintain quality at all times. The Company
strives to continuously improve the quality of
products and service in compliance with the
related safety regulations/laws in order to benefit
our customers and venders/suppliers and achieve
world-class competitiveness. To maintain HTC’s
valuable reputation and the benefits to our
customers and venders/suppliers, all employees
must comply with our quality processes and safety
requirements.
2.3 Performance of Contracts
Company contracts must be executed not only in
accordance with the requirements of each
contract, but also in compliance with all the laws
and regulations applicable to our business. Any
unfair or unreasonable regulation or condition
should be avoided. Purchasing decisions must be
made in the best interests of HTC by considering
the venders’/suppliers’ suitability, quality, price,
and delivery of products or services; any personal
preferences are not allowed for special offers.
Purchasing agreements/sales contracts and
related evaluation information should be
documented clearly and confidentially. The
contract information of customers and
venders/suppliers, including but not limited to their
names, price, delivery condition, payment terms,
are as confidential as Company documents. Every
employee must protect this confidential information
from misuse and disclosure.
2.4 Gifts, Entertainment and Business
Courtesies
All employees or their immediately family members
are not allowed to accept kickbacks, commissions,
lavish gifts, or luxurious entertainment from
customers, suppliers/venders, or anyone in a
business relationship in any kind of situation.
However, gifts of a nominal value of less than
NT$1,500 or US$50 (maximum one time per
outside company per year.), such as small
promotional items bearing the company’s
name/logo or a tin of tea, are not prohibited. The
acceptance or giving of a gift should be reported to
and approved by local management.
Employees may provide or accept meals or
entertainment if these activities are legitimate,
consistent with accepted business practices and
demonstrably help to build a business relationship.
However, regardless of the amount, employees
are not allowed to accept or give kickbacks and
bribes, such as (but not limited to) any type of gift,
cash, stock, bond or its equivalent, or to participate
in any business courtesy that may compromise the