Purpose
At USA NEWS STUDIO, we uphold the highest ethical standards in all aspects of our operations. This policy ensures every team member conducts themselves with integrity, adheres to all relevant laws and regulations, and avoids actions motivated by personal gain.
Gifts, Favors, and Payments
- Gifts, favors, and payments provided by USA NEWS STUDIO must align with accepted business practices, be of limited value, comply with the law, and avoid embarrassing the company if publicly disclosed.
- Any payments, commissions, or compensation to associates of customers without a written contract are strictly against company policy.
Gifts, Favors, Entertainment, and Payments Received
- Associates must not seek or accept gifts, favors, entertainment, or payments without a legitimate business purpose, especially from entities doing or seeking to do business with USA NEWS STUDIO.
- Exceptions include common courtesies customary in business and gifts of nominal value. Strict standards apply, particularly for gifts from suppliers.
Conflicts of Interest
- Associates should avoid situations where personal interests conflict with those of USA NEWS STUDIO and promptly disclose any such conflicts to their manager.
- Conflicts include ownership interests in outside enterprises doing business with or competing against USA NEWS STUDIO, serving in roles with competitors, or any other circumstances that could compromise the company’s interests.
Confidential Information
- Unauthorized disclosure or misuse of confidential information is strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action, including termination.
Compliance
- Violations of this Code of Ethics will lead to disciplinary measures, up to and including termination.
- Associates are required to report any violations they become aware of.
Social Media Guidelines
Introduction
- Social media posts should be made with good judgment, understanding that they are public statements with lasting impact.
- Associates must comply with company policies as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
Be Careful What You Post
- Associates are personally responsible for their online activities. Inappropriate content may result in disciplinary action, including termination.
- Posts should represent personal views, with any references to USA NEWS STUDIO clearly stated as personal opinions.
Be Respectful and Professional
- Maintain professionalism and courtesy in all communications.
- Avoid offensive, threatening, or harassing language.
- Respect others’ privacy and refrain from sharing false or misleading information.
Be Honest and Accurate
- Accuracy is paramount in all posts. Any mistakes should be corrected promptly.
- Associates must be transparent about changes made to previous posts.
Respect Laws and Confidentiality
- Comply with all legal and confidentiality obligations, including copyright and privacy laws.
- Never disclose confidential company information without authorization.
Report Your Concerns
- Any concerns about potential policy violations should be reported promptly to Human Resources.
- Retaliation against whistleblowers is strictly prohibited.
Plagiarism and Fairness
- Plagiarism is not tolerated at USA NEWS STUDIO.
- Reporters must ensure fairness by giving all parties involved in a story the opportunity to respond adequately.
