Controlling reputational risks through an ethics policy

Define a policy on company ethics and integrity in line with its values.

1. Develop a clear and comprehensive ethics policy:

- Draft an ethics policy that defines the standards of behavior expected of all members of the organization, covering aspects such as integrity, transparency, compliance with laws, and social responsibility.

2. Involve management in policy development:

- Ensure that management and senior executives actively participate in the development and validation of the ethics policy, thus demonstrating their commitment to protecting the organization's reputation.

3. Train employees on the ethics policy:

- Organize training sessions for all employees, making them aware of the principles of the ethics policy and their role in protecting the organization's reputation.

4. Establish a Code of Conduct:

- Issue a code of conduct based on the ethics policy, specifying prohibited behaviors, sanctions for violations, and procedures for reporting misconduct.

5. Create Confidential Reporting Mechanisms:

- Establish safe, anonymous channels for employees and other stakeholders to report unethical behavior without fear of retaliation.

6. Integrate Ethics into Decision-Making Processes:

- Incorporate ethical criteria into strategic decisions, daily operations, and stakeholder relationships, assessing their potential impact on reputation.

7. Communicate the Organization’s Commitment to Ethics:

- Publicly promote the organization’s commitment to ethics through internal and external communications, thereby building trust with customers, partners, and other stakeholders.

8. Monitor reputational risks on an ongoing basis:

- Establish a monitoring system to quickly detect incidents or behaviors that could harm the organization's reputation, including on social networks and in the media.

9. Respond quickly to ethical incidents:

- Prepare an action plan to manage ethical incidents in the event of a violation, including an immediate response, a thorough investigation, and corrective actions to limit the impact on reputation.

10. Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the ethics policy:

- Conduct periodic audits to verify adherence to the ethics policy and identify areas requiring improvement or adjustment.

11. Update the ethics policy according to developments:

- Update the ethics policy to respond to new trends, regulatory developments, and increasing stakeholder expectations regarding responsibility and reputation.