Avis 2013 Annual Report Download - page 30

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our captive insurance subsidiary, Constellation Reinsurance Co., Ltd. Additional personal accident insurance
offered to our customers in Europe is underwritten by a third-party insurer, and reinsured by our Avis Budget
Europe International Reinsurance Limited subsidiary. We also maintain excess insurance coverage through
unaffiliated carriers to help mitigate our potential exposure to large liability losses. We otherwise bear these and
other risks, except to the extent that the risks are transferred through insurance or contractual arrangements.
OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
We rely primarily on a combination of trademark, trade secret and copyright laws, as well as contractual
provisions with employees and third parties, to establish and protect our intellectual property rights. The service
marks “Avis,” “Budget,” and “Zipcar” and related marks or designs incorporating such terms and related logos and
marks such as “We try harder,” and “wheels when you want them” are material to our vehicle rental and car
sharing businesses. Our subsidiaries and licensees actively use these marks. All of the material marks used by
Avis, Budget and Zipcar are registered (or have applications pending for registration) with the United States
Patent and Trademark Office as well as in foreign jurisdictions. Our subsidiaries own the marks and other
intellectual property, including the Wizard system, used in our business. We also own trademarks and logos
related to the “Apex Car Rental” brand in Australia and New Zealand and related to the “Payless Car Rental”
brand in the United States and several other countries.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The Company strives to maintain best practices in corporate social responsibility, which includes an emphasis on
the several key initiatives, including a global ethics program for all employees worldwide; data protection
guidelines aimed at protecting Company and customer data; a competitive employee benefits program;
commitments to equal employment opportunities and diversity; offering fuel-efficient rental vehicles; and a
commitment to corporate philanthropy through which we give back to the communities in which we operate.
• Ethical Standards. We seek to hold our employees to high ethical standards. We place great emphasis on
professional conduct, safety and security, information protection and integrity. Our employees are
required to follow our Code of Conduct and Business Principles. Our Code of Conduct represents the
core of our business philosophy and values and covers numerous areas, including standards of work-
related behavior; security of information, systems and other assets; conflicts of interest; securities laws;
and community service. We provide employees with training to help understand both our Code of
Conduct and how to interpret it in various situations. Failure to comply with our Code of Conduct is
grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
• Data Protection. We are committed to taking appropriate measures to properly secure information,
records, systems and property. Employees are trained to take particular precautions to protect the
Company, our employees, vendors and customers, and, in many cases, themselves, from the unlawful or
inappropriate use or disclosure of that information.
• Employee Benefits Programs. Our employees are critical to our success. To ensure their well-being and
professional growth we generally offer a competitive salary plus incentive compensation potential and
comprehensive benefits. In addition, we offer health and welfare benefits that may include a range of
training, employee assistance and personal development programs to help employees and their families
prosper. Our employee benefits programs are all offered and administered in compliance with applicable
local law.
• Equal Opportunity Employment. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all
applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital
status, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental disability, military veteran status, or any other
protected classification under any applicable law. In addition, the Company will reasonably accommodate
known disabilities and religious beliefs of employees and qualified applicants.
• Diversity. As a growing global organization, the Company is proud of the diversity of its workforce. We
strive to attract and retain talented and diverse people throughout our organization. We engage in several
initiatives to support diversity throughout our Company, including programs specifically designed to
develop female leaders in our organization and our commitment to assisting current and former military