HTC 2014 Annual Report Download - page 142

• Financial information Financial information •
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HTC's Code of Conduct is a guideline to provide high ethical
standards for all employees in conducting HTC business activities.
All employees of HTC Corp., including branches and subsidiary
companies, must follow these ethical standards regardless of the
employees' position, grade level,
and location. This Code includes three major sections: the
General Moral Imperative, Vendors/Suppliers and Customers
Relationship, and Conflict of Interests.
The General Moral Imperative section requires that HTC commits
to providing a safe and healthy work environment and equal
opportunities, and that it establishes a behavioral code for the
treatment of knowledge about the company's assets/properties/
information.
The Vendors/Suppliers and Customer Relationship section
requires that HTC commits to maintaining a fair, legal, and long-
term relationship with its vendors/suppliers and customers to the
benefit of all parties.
The Conflict of Interest section describes the behavioral rules for
employees in situations of divided interest.
This Code is superior to any other local regulations except certain
mandatory laws/acts issued by the local government. In such
cases, the Talent Management Division should submit the specific
local laws/acts to Corporate Talent Management Division in
order to waive this specific regulation of the Code in that location.
Otherwise, any violation of HTC Code of Conduct and applicable
policies may cause disciplinary action up to and including the
termination of employment. The employees are responsible for
understanding and complying with the HTC Code of Conduct, as
well as other applicable HTC policies/rules.
Mandatory Contents
1.0 General Moral Imperatives
While maintaining a work culture that ensures the
company's success, HTC strives to treat each employee
fairly and with dignity. HTC is also committed to complying
with the labor laws of each country it operates in. As
well, each employee is responsible for complying with all
applicable external and internal laws, and follow up any new
revision of company policies.
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;
HTC's Code of Conduct 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, trade marks/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