va group - Code of Conduct

General policy for employees, managers and others representing Va Group.  

1. Purpose
Va Group is committed to maintaining a professional, respectful and responsible working environment.
This Code of Conduct sets the general standards of behavior expected from everyone representing Va Group.
It applies to employees, managers, members of Executive Management, members of the Board of Directors, consultants and others acting on behalf of Va Group.
The Code applies during normal working activities as well as during meetings, business travel, dinners, company events and other activities connected with Va Group.
Members of the Board of Directors and Executive Management are additionally subject to the Va Group Board and Executive Management Code of Conduct.  

2. Respect and Professional Behavior
Everyone representing Va Group is expected to:

• Treat others with respect and dignity.
• Act professionally and exercise sound judgement.
• Respect personal and professional boundaries.
• Contribute to a safe, inclusive and constructive working environment.
• Avoid behavior that may reasonably be perceived as intimidating, discriminatory, humiliating, offensive or inappropriate.
• Respect differences in background, experience, responsibilities and perspectives. Harassment, discrimination, bullying and unwanted sexual attention are not acceptable. 

3. Responsibility and Use of Authority
Everyone should be conscious of differences in seniority, authority and influence. Managers and senior employees have a particular responsibility to lead by example. 
A position of authority must never be used to place another person under inappropriate professional, social or personal pressure. 

Employees should be able to raise concerns, express disagreement and decline inappropriate requests without fear of negative consequences.

4. Meetings and Professional Interaction
Meetings and professional discussions should be conducted respectfully and constructively.

• Allow different views to be expressed.
• Challenge issues and proposals rather than individuals.
• Avoid personal, humiliating or inappropriate comments.
• Respect the responsibilities and contributions of others.
• Maintain confidentiality where appropriate.

Constructive disagreement is encouraged when it contributes to better decisions and remains professional.

5. Business Dinners and Social Events
Business dinners and social activities can be an important part of building relationships and cooperation.
They should be enjoyable and inclusive while remaining consistent with Va Group’s professional standards.
The same standards of behavior that apply in the workplace also apply during company dinners, social events and activities following official company arrangements.

• Respect personal boundaries.
• Avoid sexual or otherwise inappropriate comments or jokes.
• Avoid unwanted physical contact.
• Avoid behavior that may reasonably make another person uncomfortable.
• Avoid conduct that may reasonably be perceived as discriminatory, intimidating or humiliating.

Participation in social activities is voluntary. No employee should experience negative consequences for declining an invitation, leaving an event early or choosing not to participate in activities following an official event.

6. Alcohol
Alcohol may be served at company dinners and social events where appropriate. No one should feel expected or pressured to consume
alcohol.
Participants are responsible for ensuring that their consumption remains appropriate to the occasion and that their behavior remains
professional. Excessive intoxication is inconsistent with representing Va Group professionally.

7. Business Travel
Professional standards and personal boundaries continue to apply during business travel.
Employees and other representatives of Va Group are expected to exercise sound judgement in connection with accommodation, transportation, dinners and social activities.
Business travel should be conducted in a manner consistent with Va Group’s professional standards and the reasonable expectations of colleagues, customers and business partners.

8. Confidentiality and Information
Confidential and commercially sensitive information must be handled responsibly.
Confidentiality obligations continue to apply during informal discussions, dinners, social events and business travel.
Sensitive company, customer, supplier, employee or Board information should not be discussed where it may be overheard or disclosed to unauthorized people.
Photographs, recordings or information from internal events should not be shared externally without appropriate consideration and, where relevant, consent.

9. Company Resources and Expenses
Company resources must be used responsibly and for legitimate business purposes.
Business expenses, dinners, hospitality, and entertainment must be reasonable, appropriate, and proportionate to their business purpose. Expenditure must not be excessive, extravagant, or primarily for personal benefit. All expenses must follow Va Group’s applicable expense, documentation, and approval procedures. No person may approve his or her own expense.

10. Conflicts of Interest, Gifts and Hospitality
Business decisions must be made objectively and in the best interests of Va Group.
Actual or potential conflicts between personal interests and the interests of Va Group should be disclosed in accordance with applicable company procedures.

Gifts and hospitality may only be offered or accepted where they are reasonable, transparent, and consistent with normal business practice. They must never be used to improperly influence a business decision or create an inappropriate obligation. 

11. Speaking Up
Anyone who experiences or observes conduct that may be inconsistent with this Code of Conduct is encouraged to speak up.
Concerns may be raised with the relevant manager, HR or through Va Group’s established whistleblower scheme, as appropriate.
Reports made in good faith will be handled seriously, confidentially and in accordance with the procedures applicable to the whistleblower scheme. Retaliation against anyone raising a concern in good faith will not be accepted.

12. Compliance and Responsibility
Everyone representing Va Group is personally responsible for complying with this Code.
Managers have a particular responsibility to support an appropriate culture and to address behavior that is clearly inconsistent with the Code.
Serious or repeated violations may result in appropriate consequences in accordance with applicable company policies, contractual arrangements and law.

13. Guiding Principle
When representing Va Group, everyone should act in a manner that preserves trust in the company and in its people.

Would I consider this behavior appropriate if it were openly known to my colleagues, management, customers and business partners?

If the answer is uncertain, additional restraint and judgement should be exercised.