code of Conduct
The Code of Ethics and Conduct is an instrument that sets forth the values that guide Palbit, SA's actions, as well as the ethical principles and standards of conduct to which its Statutory Bodies and employees are subject and which they must embrace as intrinsically their own. This Code aims to inform its recipients, suppliers, other public and private entities, and the community at large of the principles and values by which Palbit, SA guides its activities, fostering growing relationships of trust among all and reinforcing the identity elements of the organizational culture. The provisions of this Code must be interpreted in accordance with current legal standards regarding the rights, duties, and responsibilities of its Statutory Bodies and employees.
Article 1. Purpose
1 - This Code of Ethics and Conduct aims to contribute to the correct and dignified performance of duties by all Statutory Bodies and employees of Palbit, SA, both in the relationships they establish among themselves and in those established in the name or on behalf of this company with other bodies, public or private, or with citizens in general.
2 – This Code also constitutes a reference with regard to the model of conduct required of all Statutory Bodies of Palbit, SA, in their relationship with external entities and with citizens in general.
Article 2. Scope of application
This code applies to all Statutory Bodies and employees of Palbit, SA regardless of their employment relationship or hierarchical position and the place where they perform their duties.
Article 3. General principles and duties
The principles that should guide the actions of Palbit, SA employees in the performance of their duties are as follows:
a) “Principle of legality” - workers must act in compliance with the current constitutional and legal framework;
b) “Principles of justice and impartiality” - the Statutory Bodies and employees of Palbit, SA must, in any case, treat all citizens and other entities with which they interact in a fair and impartial manner, acting in a neutral manner and pursuing the common good;
c) “Principle of equality” - the Statutory Bodies and employees of Palbit, SA may not benefit or harm any person or entity due to their ancestry, sex, race, language, political, ideological or religious beliefs, economic situation or social condition, or any other factor that may lead to the occurrence of a possible inequality of opportunity or treatment;
d) “Principle of proportionality” - the Statutory Bodies and employees of Palbit, SA may only demand from citizens what is indispensable for carrying out their activity;
e) “Principles of collaboration and good faith” - the Statutory Bodies and employees of Palbit, SA must collaborate with any persons or entities with which they have a relationship in order to achieve the most appropriate result possible for the fulfillment of their mission, and must act in such a way as not to create unjustifiable obstacles or difficulties for those persons or entities;
f) “Principle of loyalty” - the Statutory Bodies and employees of Palbit, SA must act in a loyal, supportive and cooperative manner, both among themselves and with the people and entities, public and private, with which they interact in the context of the functions assigned to them;
g) “Principle of integrity” - the Statutory Bodies and employees of Palbit, SA must base their conduct on criteria of personal and professional honesty, and may not adopt any acts that may harm other employees or the people or entities with which they have a relationship;
h) “Principles of competence and responsibility” - the Statutory Bodies and employees of Palbit, SA must act with pride and responsibility, dedication and criticality, striving for professional development and strict fulfillment of their mission;
i) “Principle of civility” – The Statutory Bodies and employees of Palbit, SA must treat everyone with whom they interact in a cordial, respectful and considerate manner, promoting the existence of a healthy work environment and a conciliatory and cooperative relationship with other people and entities.
Article 4. Organizational environment
The Statutory Bodies and employees of Palbit, SA, in their relations with each other, must foster a good working environment and promote mutual assistance and teamwork, adopting conduct that is governed by mutual respect, professionalism, cordiality and honesty.
Article 5. Change and innovation
The Statutory Bodies and employees of Palbit, SA must develop their ability to adapt to the modernization of work processes and new management tools and must attend the training actions proposed to them with a view to continuous learning, thus optimizing their skills.
Article 6. Information management
1 - The Statutory Bodies and employees of Palbit, SA must ensure communication, registration and sharing of information among themselves, within the organic unit in which they are inserted in order to facilitate the management and preservation of the knowledge acquired.
2 – The provisions of the previous number do not exempt the Statutory Bodies and employees of Palbit, SA from respecting professional secrecy, statistical secrecy or secrecy of any other nature to which they are subject by law.
3 – The Statutory Bodies and employees of Palbit, SA may only use the information they produce or that which comes to their knowledge in the exercise of their respective functions for the purposes arising from the exercise of said functions, and may not use it for their own benefit or that of third parties with whom they have a relationship.
Article 7. Responsible use of resources
The Statutory Bodies and employees of Palbit, SA, within the scope of their responsibilities, must ensure the protection and conservation of the physical, financial and intellectual assets of Palbit, SA, and the available resources must be used efficiently, with a view to pursuing the defined objectives, not using them, directly or indirectly, for their personal benefit or that of third parties.
Article 8. Environment
The Statutory Bodies and employees of Palbit, SA must make use of all mechanisms available to them to reduce the impact of their activity on the environment, such as the correct separation of waste, the use of recycled paper or the responsible use of water and energy.
Article 9. Relationship with other persons and external entities
In their relationship with any other persons or entities, the Statutory Bodies and employees of Palbit, SA must handle all matters entrusted to them with professionalism, making efforts to maximize the satisfaction of the legitimate interests and claims of all audiences with which the service relates.
Article 10. Conflict of interest
1 – The Statutory Bodies and employees of Palbit, SA must handle all matters entrusted to them impartially, objectively and transparently, preventing and avoiding conflicts of interest.
2 – In cases where they are called upon to participate in a decision-making process in which there may be a conflict of interest, particularly due to family relationships or special friendships or enmities with the people or entities involved, the Statutory Bodies and employees of Palbit, SA must inform their hierarchical superior, so that he or she can ensure that the processes are handled in compliance with the provisions of the previous number.
Article 11. Offers, bonuses and benefits
1 - The Statutory Bodies and employees of Palbit, SA must refrain from receiving from third parties any type of gratuity, offers or advantages that exceed mere courtesy or exceed a symbolic value.
2 - Any offers, gratuities or benefits received that do not comply with the provisions of the previous number must be communicated to the respective hierarchical superior, and it is up to the beneficiary of the offer to make a careful judgment on whether or not those requirements are met by each offer received.
3 – Whenever they do not fall within the scope of paragraph 1, all gifts, gratuities or benefits received must be returned to the person or entity that provided them.
4 – When a member of the statutory body or employee of Palbit, SA is tasked with delivering an institutional offer from Palbit, SA to a third party, the institutional nature of the offer must be clearly evidenced.
Article 12. Image
1 - In their relationship with any persons or entities, the Statutory Bodies and employees of Palbit, SA must always bear in mind that their opinion is relevant when the matter discussed concerns the service, when they are in a professional context.
2 – As a result of the above, the Statutory Bodies and employees of Palbit, SA must base their behavior on acts that do not compromise the company’s image.
Article 13. Non-compliance
Violation of any principles or duties set out in this code, provided that they meet the legally established requirements for this purpose, may give rise to disciplinary or criminal liability for anyone who has violated them.
Article 14. Review
This Code must be reviewed with the collaboration of all sectors within a period of three years.
Article 15. Disclosure
This Code must be disseminated by all Statutory Bodies and employees of Palbit, SA, through the institutional mail of each of the recipients, and must be available in the offices for consultation, being published on the Palbit, SA website.
Article 16. Entry into force
This Code shall come into force on the day following its publication on the Palbit, SA website.