Ethical Conduct Statement
Webmarketer operates all it's services under a Code of Ethics because we value integrity in business.
- We aim to foster trust by providing communication that is both accurate and articulate.
- We represent ourselves with proof of our abilities, and never falsify our competencies.
- We use software and hardware that has been legally purchased, and audit our systems regularly to ensure security and legality.
- We keep our clients and staff informed of relevant information and do not obscure or avoid eventualities.
- We provide value for money and maintain a competitive marketing strategy.
Our chief concern is to establish a business relationship that so impresses our clientele, that they would not consider going elsewhere for web services.
Webmarketer Code of Ethics
Table of Contents:- WEBMARKETER - Why a Code of Ethics?
- Essence of this Code of Ethics
- Ethical Management Practices
- Accuracy of books and records and expense reports
- Software Register
- Copyrighted Materials
- Public Information/Communications
- Advertising and Marketing
- Charities and Fundraising
- Clarity of Information
- Access to Information
- Transparency of Information
- Conflicts of Interest
- Client Related
- Political Activity
- Outside Employment
- Relationships with vendors
- Procurement
- Professional Integrity
- Negotiating Contracts
- Personal Agendas .
- Environmental Issues
- Commitment to the Environment
- Employee Health and Safety
- Employment Practices
- Workplace Harassment
- Equal Opportunity .
- Diversity
- Fair Treatment of Staff
- Work-Family Balance
- Discrimination
- Illegal Drugs and Alcohol
- Use of Organization Property
- Employee, Client and Vendor Information
- Maintaining Records and Information
- Privacy and Confidentiality
- Disclosure of Information
WEBMARKETER - Why a Code of Ethics?
The Web Development Industry is increasingly becoming a minefield of unscrupulous practices, where profit has become the "be all, and end all".
We are in business for the long term, and believe our profitability will be directly proportionate to the level of trust we develop with our clients. In short, without trust, there is no business!
Who can you trust these days?
It pays to be suspicious, skeptical, and cautious! We hope to allay some of your concerns.
When you read through our Code of Ethics, we believe you will see the nature of the way that we do business. Hopefully, this may establish a new level of trust in us.
Essence of this Code of Ethics
It is the intention of WEBMARKETER to adhere to this Code of Ethics.
Rather than focusing on the wording of each item in this code, it is the Spirit of the code, which holds greatest importance.
We will at all times strive to operate our business affairs on an ethical and professional basis, where consideration shall be given to all parties or stakeholders involved.
Ethical Management Practices
Accuracy of books and records and expense reports
- WEBMARKETER accounting practices are audited bi-annually.
- WEBMARKETER does not accept fraudulent taxation practices, and records every transaction.
Software Register
- WEBMARKETER only uses licensed software which it has legally acquired.
- WEBMARKETER runs a monthly audit of all systems, to ensure licensing is current, and that no illegitimate software has been installed.
- WEBMARKETER will take legal action against those that use our software outside of licensed agreements.
Copyrighted Materials
- WEBMARKETER develops software solutions and content, and believes that the author's rights and Intellectual Property should be protected.
- WEBMARKETER will not publish content of a copyrighted nature without the expressed written permission of the original author.
- WEBMARKETER will give credit to the original authors of all copyrighted materials
Public Information/Communications
Advertising and Marketing
- WEBMARKETER will present itself will professional integrity in all marketing and advertising.
- Will never use stand over or high pressure tactics
- Will be honest in the information provided for promotion
- Will not intentionally mislead any person
- Will accurately portray it's level of ability
Charities and Fundraising
- WEBMARKETER will give to charities exactly what we have pledged to give
- It is up to the discretion of WEBMARKETER management to choose the charities it supports
Clarity of Information
- Information will be presented in clear simply language that accurately describes the concerns involved
Access to Information
- Clients may request a copy of the information that WEBMARKETER holds on them by emailing their request to info@Webmarketer.com.au
- No information will be provided without proof of identity
Transparency of Information
- The information provided by WEBMARKETER will not in any way be altered, or disguised.
Conflicts of Interest
Client Related
- WEBMARKETER will not accept contracts that would cause a conflict of interest
- We will not at the same time take two Contracts with separate clients of the same industry, unless those markets are sufficiently different.
- WEBMARKETER will not accept any contract that would be in conflict with the items in this Code of Ethics.
- WEBMARKETER will not accept any contract that promotes illegal or discriminatory material.
Political Activity
- WEBMARKETER will not accept Contracts for any organization, political or otherwise, that conflicts with the personal values of the management. (Please note that this is not to discriminate against, but to ensure that full profession service can be assured).
Outside Employment
- WEBMARKETER will not employ staff that has outside employment that is in conflict with the values of this Code of Ethics.
Relationships with vendors
Procurement
- WEBMARKETER will not poach staff from client organizations.
- WEBMARKETER will void contracts where the client seeks to poach staff from us
Professional Integrity
- Friendships develop in any good working relationship, it is our intention that these friendships should never subvert the objectives of the organizations in which they work.
- Whilst WEBMARKETER will not condemn the development of intimate relationships with clients it is discouraged, as it could lead to a conflict of interest.
Negotiating Contracts
- Contract negotiation is only available to those with suitable authority within the organization.
- Any signed contract, can only be altered with the authority of those who originally signed the contract. Unless that authority has been delegated in writing.
Personal Agendas
- WEBMARKETER will not use relationships with vendors to achieve personal vendettas.
Environmental Issues
Commitment to the Environment
- WEBMARKETER employs a policy of with the environment not against it.
- All care is taken to recycle waste as effectively as possible.
- No Contract shall be accepted that promotes damage to the environment in the opinion of WEBMARKETER management.
Employee Health and Safety
- Working in the IT industry has many health and safety issues,
- WEBMARKETER continually monitors it's workplace to ensure a healthy environment.
- WEBMARKETER has developed an Occupational Health & Safety Analysis of its procedures.
Employment Practices
Workplace Harassment
- No person shall be harassed, ridiculed or otherwise mistreated.
Equal Opportunity
- Opportunity will be give according to skill level, never by race, age, sex, religion , political persuasion or other criteria.
Diversity
- We encourage diversity as we believe greater can be achieved with a wider range of experiences and approaches.
Fair Treatment of Staff
- Staff will be fairly treated by management and each other
- Disciplinary action will be taken against those mistreating others
- Intimidation will not be tolerated
Work-Family Balance
- While work is important so is family
- No staff member shall be forced to work overtime
- Hours of employment will be made flexible to suit family commitments
- We believe if family life suffers, so does the work place.
Discrimination
- We endeavor never to discriminate against any person by race, age, sex, religion political persuasion or other criteria.
Illegal Drugs and Alcohol
- We will not tolerate intoxication in the workplace nor in any dealings with clients
- Disciplinary action will be taken to discourage intoxication.
Use of Organization Property
- The property of WEBMARKETER shall not be used in any way to cause harm or disturbance to others.
- The property of WEBMARKETER shall not be used for any illegal activity
- WEBMARKETER will not use illegal or illegitimate software
Employee, Client and Vendor Information
Maintaining Records and Information
- WEBMARKETER has a policy of recording phone conversations and client meetings to protect both our selves and our clients. These recordings are kept securely, behind username and password.
- WEBMARKETER maintains an accounting procedure and records all transactions cash or otherwise.
Privacy and Confidentiality
- WEBMARKETER considers its privacy and that of it's clients as essential.
- At no time shall private details of any client, employee, or other stakeholder be given to any other person without their expressed written or verbally recorded permission.
- WEBMARKETER monitors the risk levels associated with the storage of private information.
Disclosure of Information
- WEBMARKETER will disclose any relevant information to a client, employee or other stakeholder providing it does not conflict with any other items in this code.
- WEBMARKETER maintains a webpage that is specifically intended to disclose information that my affect our clients, employees, and other stakeholders, http://www.webmarketer.com.au/latestinfo
Prepared by: Mark Van Laarhoven
Date: 7th August 2004