of Ethics Online Collection: 1984
Dow Corning's Responsibilities to Employees:
Dow Corning's Responsibilities to Employees:
All relations with employees will be guided by our belief
that the dignity of the individual is primary.
Opportunity without bias will be afforded each employee in
relation to demonstrated ability, initiative and potential.
Management practices will be consistent with our intent to
provide continuing employment for all productive employees.
Qualified citizens of countries where we do business will
be hired and trained for available positions consistent with
their capabilities.
We will strive to create and maintain a work environment that
fosters honesty, personal growth, teamwork, open communications
and dedication to our vision and values.
We will provide a safe, clean and pleasant work environment
that at minimum meets all applicable laws and regulations.
The privacy of an individual's records will be respected.
Employees may review their own records upon request.
Management will provide, communicate and implement a Problem
Resolution Process for use by all employees to identify and
resolve business ethics and employee conduct problems and
other disagreements between employees.
Our Responsibilities as Dow Corning Employees:
Employees will treat Dow Corning proprietary information
as a valued asset and diligently protect it from loss or negligent
disclosure.
Employees will respect our commitment to protect the confidentiality
of information entrusted to us by customers, suppliers and
others in our business dealings.
The proprietary information of others will be obtained only
through the use of legal and ethical methods.
Employees will not engage in activities that either jeopardize
or conflict with the company's interests. Recognizing and
avoiding conflicts of interest is the responsibility of each
employee. When a potential conflict of interest exists, the
employee is obligated to bring the situation to the attention
of Dow Corning management for resolution.
Employees will use or authorize company resources only for
legitimate business purposes.
The cost of goods or services purchased for Dow Corning must
be reasonable and in line with competitive standards.
Employees will not engage in bribery, price fixing, kickbacks,
collusion or any related practice that might be, or give the
appearance of being, illegal or unethical.
Employees will avoid contacts with competitors, suppliers,
government agencies and other parties that are, or appear
to be, engaging in unfair competition or the restriction of
free trade.
Business interactions with our competitors will be limited
to those necessary for buyer-seller agreements, licensing
agreements or matters of general interest to industry or society.
All such interactions will be documented.
Relations with Customers, Distributors, Suppliers
We are committed to providing products and services that
meet the requirements of our customers. We will provide information
and support necessary to effectively use our products.
Business integrity is a criterion for selecting and retaining
those who represent Dow Corning. Dow Corning will regularly
encourage its distributors, agents and other representatives
to conduct their business on our behalf in a legal and ethical
manner.
The purchase of goods and services will be based on quality,
price, service, ability to supply and the supplier's adherence
to legal and ethical business practices.
Environmental, Product Stewardship and Social Responsibility
- We are committed to the responsible management of chemicals through our support and practice of the principles of Responsible Care.
- Environmental consideration will be integrated into all appropriate business decisions and will be guided by Dow Corning's Principles of Environmental Management.
- We will continually strive to assure that our products and services are safe, efficacious and accurately represented for their intended uses. We will fully represent the nature and characteristics of our raw materials, intermediates and products -including toxicity and other potential hazards - to our employees, suppliers, transporters and customers.
- We will build and maintain positive relationships with
communities where we have a presence. Our efforts will focus
on education, civic, cultural, environmental, and health
and safety programs.
*A registered trademark of the Chemical Manufacturers Association.
International Business Guidelines
Dow Corning will be a responsible corporate citizen wherever we do business. We recognize that laws, business practices and customs differ from country to country. If legal conflicts arise in or between locations where we do business, or if conflicts with this Code present themselves, we will seek reasonable ways to resolve the differences. Failing timely resolution, we will remove ourselves from the particular business situation. Dow Corning employees will not authorize or give payments or gifts to government employees or their beneficiaries or anyone else in order to obtain or retain business. Facilitating payments to expedite the performance of routine services are strongly discouraged. In countries where local business practice dictates such payments and there is no alternative, facilitating payments are to be for the minimum amount necessary and must be accurately documented and recorded. No contributions to political parties or candidates will be given by Dow Corning, even in countries where such contributions are legal. Dow Corning considers its technology and know-how to be valuable assets and encourages their inter-company and transborder transfer to achieve its overall business objectives. Dow Corning, its subsidiaries and its majority-owned joint ventures expect to pay or receive fair compensation for the value provided or received for the technology or know-how transferred.
Financial Responsibilities
Dow Corning funds will be used only for purposes that arc
legal and ethical and all transactions will be properly and
accurately recorded.
We will maintain a system of internal accounting controls
for Dow Corning and assure that all involved employees are
fully apprised of that system.
Dow Corning encourages the free flow of funds for investment,
borrowing, dividending and the return of capital throughout
the world.
Dow Corning Corporation, its subsidiaries and its majority-owned
joint venture companies will strive to establish and maintain
inter-company prices and fees for goods and services comparable
to those which would prevail in open-market transactions between
unrelated parties. Within this context, the goal is to have
inter-company prices and fees for goods and services that
meet all applicable laws and are mutually agreed upon by the
Dow Corning entities involved.
We will not participate in any financial arrangement where
the perceived intent of the transaction would be a violation
of this Code of Conduct.
Dow Corning Values
Integrity: Our integrity is demonstrated in our ethical conduct and in our respect for the values cherished by the society of which we are a part.
Employees: Our employees are the source from which our ideas, actions and performance flow. The full potential of our people is best realized in an environment that breeds fairness, self-fulfillment, teamwork and dedication to excellence.
Customers: Our relationship with each customer is entered in the spirit of a long-term partnership and is predicated on making the customer's interests our interests.
Quality: Our never-ending quest for quality performance is based on our understanding of our customers' needs and our willingness and capability to fulfill those needs.
Technology: Our advancement of chemistry and related sciences in our chosen fields is the Value that most differentiates Dow Corning.
Environment: Our commitment to the safekeeping of the natural environment is founded on our appreciation of it as the basis for the existence of life.
Safety: Our attention to safety is based on our full-time commitment to injury-free work, individual self-worth and a consideration for the well being of others.
Profit. Our long-term profit growth is essential to our long-term existence. How our profits are derived, and the purposes for which they are used, are influenced by our Values and our shareholders.
