INTRODUCTION:
The code of conduct is binding for all regions and offices. It describes and elucidates on the objectives and rules that reflect our commitment to responsible, ethically irreproachable and legally complaint behavior. At DKT Pakistan we are committed to openness in our dealings with our stakeholders. Transparency and honesty shall be the guiding principles in all our communication activities, internally and externally.
BUSINESS INTEGRITY CODE OF CONDUCT GUIDELINES (EMPLOYEES):
All relations between employees of all levels shall be guided by mutual respect, openness, honesty and the spirit of trust and cooperation. Team spirit is triggered by open-mindedness. We therefore support an open-door policy and initiatives to share and exchange knowledge.
In return in general employees are expected to (not limited to):
- discharge their duties with utmost integrity, loyalty and diligence
- devote his/her time and energy to promoting the interests of the organization irrespective of their respective nature of employment
- comply with all applicable laws and industry codes of practice in the promotion of DKT - Pakistan products to relevant stakeholders such as physicians and other health care providers etc.
- conform to and abide by policies, procedures and/or any other rules of the organization as it may adopt from time to time.
- avoid any situation that would give the appearance of impropriety or could otherwise cause embarrassment to the company.
In specific employees are expected of the following pertaining to areas such as:
1. Use of Company Property
- The use of company property, including labor, supplies, equipment, building or other assets, for personal benefit is prohibited where not explicitly allowed by agreement. Each employee has a responsibility to safeguard and make proper used of DKT – Pakistan property. Intellectual property is valuable assets and must be protected from unauthorized used or disclosure. Such property includes trade secrets, confidential information, customer lists, business opportunities and product specification.
- All the books, records, papers, documents, articles etc. confidential in nature belonging to DKT PAKISTAN shall remain in the premises of DKT - PAKISTAN and employees shall see that these are safely kept and maintained at their proper place assigned to them.
- No employee shall remove even temporarily any book, records, papers, document, and articles etc. from the premises of DKT - PAKISTAN to any other place without the prior written permission of the Management.
- Desks, lockers, and other storage devices may be provided for the convenience of employees but such provisions remain the sole property of DKT Pakistan and HR will make sure that all tools and equipment necessary to perform job as per policy should be provided to all employees who need a seating arrangement and has desk jobs. Accordingly, these, as well as any articles found with them, may be inspected by any agent or representative of DKT Pakistan.
- Employees may be liable to be searched on entering or leaving the premises of the office by any person authorized in that regard by the Management and shall so subject him/her to search upon being required.
2. Use of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking, explosive or other improper materials:
- The DKT – Pakistan wishes to maintain a work environment that is free of illegal drugs, alcohol, firearms, explosives, or other improper materials. To this end, DKT – Pakistan prohibits the possession, transfer, sale, or use of such material on its premises. DKT – Pakistan requires the cooperation of all employees in administering this policy. Accordingly, any articles found in custody of any employee anywhere within the premises, can be inspected by any agent or representative of DKT – Pakistan at any time, either with or without prior notice
- DKT Pakistan is committed to protecting the safety, health, and wellbeing of our employees and recognizes that abuse of alcohol and other drugs compromises this commitment. Therefore, the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of drugs and alcohol is prohibited on DKT Pakistan premises or workplace locations. Furthermore, employees are prohibited from working while intoxicated or under the influence of illegal drugs, and may be subject to severe disciplinary action if found doing so. You must notify your manager in writing if you are convicted for a violation of a criminal drug statute. This notification must be provided within five (5) calendar days after the conviction. Violation of any of these prohibitions may result in disciplinary action including termination, or DKT Pakistan may require you, as a condition of continued employment, to participate satisfactorily in a drug or alcohol abuse assistance or rehabilitation programme.
- In order to provide a healthy work environment for all employees, smoking is not allowed inside the office premises and in vehicles belonging to DKT - Pakistan. Employees are responsible for informing visitors of this policy.
3. Use of confidential information (non-disclosure):
Employees are bound not to disclose confidential information to persons outside DKT Pakistan’s without the express permission of their department head/supervisor. In case of a need to disclose any confidential information to third parties (e.g., government agencies, joint venture partners, suppliers, clinical investigators, contractors and consultants, etc.) approval is required from the respective departmental head and an appropriate confidentiality agreement by the recipient. All DKT Pakistan’s information is considered confidential which is solely for internal use of DKT Pakistan unless approved for external release by the department head.
The Non-Disclosure Agreement should comprise of the following aspects as a bare minimum:
- Obligation to respect confidentiality & not to divulge information acquired as result of the working with DKT Pakistan. Also respect the confidential measure of opinion expressed by the Management of DKT Pakistan.
- Refrain from disclosure, communication or publishing of any confidential information to any third party that an employee may acquire or have access to in due course and/or in context of his/her duties and would only be used exclusively for the purpose for which it was made available.
- Obtain or/& ensure prior approval from respective Department Head, Director People Resource & Country Director in case where there is a need to disclose any confidential information to third parties (e.g., government agencies, joint venture partners, suppliers, clinical investigators, contractors and consultants, etc.)
- Undertake to maintain strict confidentiality of all information that comes to his/her knowledge during the course of their association with DKT Pakistan and even after leaving the organization for a period of at least ten years will not to use this information for any personal advantage/reasons.
BUSINESS INTEGRITY CODE OF CONDUCT GUIDELINES (PEOPLE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT):
Human Rights, Working Conditions and Modern Slavery.
- Due Diligence: Safe recruitment practice of checking work history, identity and explanations for any gaps must be followed for all staff working at DKT and partner organizations
- Employment Contracts: DKT Pakistan must meet legal requirements compliant with employment laws of the jurisdiction in which they operate, including where applicable, providing workers with contracts of employment outlining the hours they can expect to work and renumeration they can expect to receive.
- Forced Labor: DKT Pakistan shall prohibit any use of forced, bonded, indentured labor or involuntary prison labor. All work shall be voluntary, and workers shall be free to leave work or terminate their employment with reasonable notice. It shall not request that workers hand over government issued identification, passports or work permits as a condition of employment.
- Child Labor: DKT Pakistan shall work against all forms of child labor. It must not employ children below the minimum age of employment or the age for completing compulsory education in the applicable country, whichever is the higher. It must not employ any young workers under the age of 18 to perform any work that is likely to be hazardous or harmful to their health and safety.
- Non-discrimination: DKT Pakistan is an equal opportunity employer and shall not practice any form of discrimination in hiring and employment practices including access to training, promotions and rewards on the grounds of race, color, caste, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, union membership or political affiliation.
- Fair Treatment: DKT Pakistan shall create and maintain an environment that treats all workers with dignity and respect and shall not use any physical abuse, verbal abuse, or sexual or other harassment, or the threat of any of the aforesaid. No harsh or inhumane treatment, coercion or corporal punishment of any kind, or the threat of any of the aforesaid, shall be tolerated.
- Wages and Benefits: DKT Pakistan must pay all workers at least the minimum wage required by applicable laws and regulations and provide all legally mandated benefits.
- Working Hours: Working hours, including overtime hours, shall comply with all applicable laws or recognized industry standards.
- Health and Safety: DKT Pakistan shall provide a safe and hygienic working environment for workers. Adequate steps shall be taken to prevent accidents and injury to health arising out of workplace hazards.
BUSINESS INTEGRITY CODE OF CONDUCT GUIDELINES (SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT):
- Due Diligence: Stringent Vendor Induction practices are in place where by DKT Pakistan ensures checks like Vendor profiling is done extensively including referral checks, online search, physical verification & relevant applicable registrations or/& licensing with authorities etc.
- Compliance with Laws and Regulations: DKT Pakistan will comply with all relevant laws, including employment laws, regulations, standards and any applicable international trade (including import and export/reexport controls), and economic laws and regulations, including tax, in the countries or jurisdictions in which they operate and hold all licenses necessary to operate their business. Should any Code requirement conflict with applicable laws, the highest standards consistent with applicable local laws will apply.
- Anti-corruption: DKT Pakistan shall not take any action to violate, or cause their business partners to violate, applicable anti-bribery laws. They shall not engage in or tolerate any form of corruption, bribery, extortion or embezzlement. In particular, they must not promise, offer, authorize, give or accept anything of value, either directly or indirectly through intermediaries, in order to obtain or retain a business or other advantage from a third party, whether public or private.
- Conflict of Interests: DKT Pakistan must avoid conflicts of interest. They shall not enter into a relationship with an DKT trustee, director, employee or contractor which could lead such trustee, director, employee or contractor to make a decision that would not be in DKT’s best interest. Business Partners are expected to disclose to DKT any situation that may appear as a conflict of interest, including any situation where a person working for DKT, or any close relation of such person, has an interest in the DKT Pakistan’s business or any kind of economic tie with DKT Pakistan.
- Political Contributions and Unauthorized Lobbying: DKT Pakistan is not authorized to make any type of political contribution or charitable donations on behalf of DKT. It is not authorized to undertake any type of lobbying or other similar representative efforts before any kind of government entity, official, body or representative without the express consent of DKT International.
- Protection of Third-Party Rights, Confidential Information and Privacy: DKT Pakistan must safeguard and make only appropriate use of confidential information of their business partners, and shall ensure that valid intellectual property rights are protected. DKT Pakistan must ensure that they manage personal data in line with applicable laws relating to data privacy and data protection.
- Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism: DKT Pakistan must comply with the financial crime, anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism laws in all jurisdictions where they carry out their business activities. It shall not accept, facilitate or support money laundering. It will conduct business only with reputable parties that are engaged in legitimate business activities, with funds derived from legitimate sources. It must not accept funds known to be derived from illegal activities, or engage in any business or other arrangement with any party that is or may be involved with, or supports, terrorism. It shall not have dealings with any party that is on any government, terrorist list, or subject to international economic sanctions.
