Code of Conduct
A Code of Conduct ( English . Code of Conduct ) is a collection of behaviors that can be applied in a variety of settings and contexts, depending on the situation or should. Similar concepts can be found in the code of honor or the moral code .
In contrast to a regulation, the target group is not necessarily bound by compliance with the code of conduct - hence the term voluntary self-regulation . Rather, a code of conduct is a self-commitment to follow certain behavior patterns or to refrain from them and to ensure that nobody gains an advantage or disadvantage others by circumventing these patterns.
A code of conduct is also recognized as part of a compliance management system . In this context, it can be implemented in a binding manner for the employees of a company or members of an organization. It serves as a communication and control instrument within the compliance management system.
There are also codes of conduct aimed at special risks in order to prevent bribery in administration and business, or codes of conduct that have evolved culturally, which deal with each other or general behavior in certain regions, states or even religious contexts in tacit agreement or in written form how to regulate ceremonies .
In contrast to the perpetual specification of a behavior of a is procedure , or a process model (engl. Procedure model ) is a framework , a sequence of action sequences for a limited time, for example in connection with a change process (engl. Change management purports).
Examples
Examples of a code of conduct
- German Corporate Governance Code : German code for the management of listed stock corporations
- Global Compact : United Nations code of conduct for shaping the globalized economy
- Press code: Code of conduct of the German press council with guidelines for journalistic work
- Lisbon Code : European Code of Conduct in Public Relations (Code de Lisbonne)
- Code of conduct for corporate taxation in the EU of December 1, 1997 (OJ EU January 6, 1998, C 2/1)
- OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
- Agreement on professional ethics on the banks' duty of care
- Pirate Code
Examples from a code of conduct
From the press
- No reports or reports about completed suicides
- No reports to the detriment of children of prominent persons as long as they have not reached the status of majority.
- No reports from the private life of political persons without their consent (Codex in Germany)
From sport and animal welfare
- The Code of Conduct of the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) as the international equestrian authority recognized by the International Olympic Committee . It includes monitoring and observing the health and welfare of participating horses in tournaments and competitions and respecting the principles of equestrian art.
From the insurance industry
- The Code of Conduct for Data Protection ( CoC Data Protection ) is a code of conduct of the General Association of the German Insurance Industry (GDV) for the uniform and transparent handling of personal data of insured persons, interested parties and those affected.
From the film industry and media
- Failure to broadcast certain contributions / films on certain dates or broadcast times
- No commercial breaks for films with very sensitive topics (e.g. Schindler's list )
From software development
- Developers of open source software are committed to a uniform code of conduct to ensure that each individual follows certain rules regarding the responsibility and reliability of his work. In the world of open source software development, this is especially necessary because most developers have never seen or will see each other in their lives.
From international industrial companies
Examples of codes of conduct (unless the legislature specifies this or it is not regulated by contracts):
- Implementation of social standards
- Prohibition of child labor
- Payment of wages that cover the cost of living
- Inadmissibility of wage cuts as a disciplinary measure
- Specified maximum working hours per week, including overtime if applicable
- Right to at least one day off per week
- Right to establish employee organizations
- Prohibition of discrimination based on personal characteristics or convictions of employees
- Prohibition of forced labor or corporal punishment
- Safe and healthy working conditions
See also
- Code of honor
- ethics
- Etiquette
- Prince mirror
- Machiavellianism
- Anti-machiavellism
- State theory
- Global Compact (United Nations global pact with companies)
- Press Code
literature
- Bartosz Makowicz : Code of Conduct - methodology of effective design and implementation . In: Compliance Advisor . No. 5 . Deutscher Fachverlag, 2018, p. 139 .
