Code of Business Ethics
Overview
Hydro Studios interfaces with customers, shareholders and suppliers all over the world. These groups, together with other organizations and individuals with which our businesses interact, take a close interest in what we do.
Their opinions about Hydro Studios are influenced by our actions. A good reputation is not just important, it is essential to our ongoing success. A key determinant of this reputation is how we all behave – both as individuals and collectively.
In a complex world, it is impractical to set specific rules and regulations to cover every situation. However, we at Hydro Studios do have a Code of Business Ethics which seeks to offer clear standards and guidance for the business dealings of every employee.
The code outlines the standards that we must all attain and covers a range of different areas of activity. While it cannot deal with every circumstance, it creates a framework to help us decide how to behave.
The Code is designed to help set our interactions with colleagues, external stakeholders and the communities in which we work on strong ethical foundations.
Our objective is not only to protect the reputation of our company and to safeguard the investment of our shareholders, but also to protect the interests of every employee by ensuring individual legal and regulatory compliance as well as responsible behavior.
The senior executive management of Hydro Studios endorse and support the Code.
If you are ever in any doubt about how to behave in specific situations or wish to report what might be a violation of the Code, there are a number of ways of doing this:
1. Escalate to your Manager
2. Escalate to Human Resources
3. Escalate to a Partner at Hydro Studios
We undertake that anyone raising a concern in good faith may do so without fear of victimization or negative consequences.
It is vitally important that Hydro Studios and its businesses are, and can be seen to be, responsible and ethical participants in the markets in which we operate around the globe. Hydro Studios ask for the commitment of every employee to uphold the Code and to contribute towards the success of a great company.
We comply with the law
Hydro Studios, its employees and agents, are required, as a minimum standard, to comply with all the laws and regulations of the countries in which they operate.
We compete fairly
Hydro Studios believes in competing fairly and vigorously in its market sectors. Hydro Studios does not engage in, nor is it party to, agreements, business practices or conduct that, as a matter of law, are anti-competitive.
We act with integrity in all our business dealings
Hydro Studios expects its employees to act with integrity at all times to safeguard the trust in which the company is held by its customers, shareholders, suppliers and other individuals and organizations with which our businesses interact.
No employee shall engage in personal activities or pursue financial or business interests which might give rise to, or give the appearance of, conflicts of interest with Hydro Studios, or which might compromise their ability to meet the responsibilities of their job.
Hydro Studios does not offer, promise, give, demand or accept bribes or other unethical advantage in order to obtain, retain or give business or other advantage.
Hydro Studios employees who have access to privileged information (including proprietary and confidential information, whether belonging to Hydro Studios or others) must not use it to achieve personal gain for themselves or others.
Hydro Studios employees must ensure proper and responsible use of all Hydro Studios assets, including physical property, intangible assets, IT equipment and communication resources.
We treat suppliers, partners and customers properly
Hydro Studios works to pay suppliers promptly within agreed terms of business.
Hydro Studios seeks to provide its customers with services which meet or exceed their requirements. These services are designed to develop and apply innovative ideas, to respond quickly to changing customer demand and to improve continuously product quality, value and delivery times.
Hydro Studios believes in working in partnership with its suppliers, so as to meet the expectations of customers, and to ensure quality, value and timeliness throughout the supply chain.
Hydro Studios employees must respect and treat in accordance with agreed terms the technology, intellectual property, confidential information and any other assets or data received from customers, suppliers and others.
Hydro Studios expects agents, suppliers and others working on its behalf to act lawfully and ethically, and in accordance with the values and standards set out in this Code.
We treat our co-workers respectfully
Hydro Studios recruits, selects, and promotes employees on the basis of their qualifications, skills, aptitude and attitude.
In employment related decisions, Hydro Studios complies with anti-discrimination requirements in the relevant jurisdictions concerning matters of race, color, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religious belief, age or physical or mental disability.
All Hydro Studios employees shall be treated with respect and dignity. Accordingly, any harassment or bullying is unacceptable.
Hydro Studios respects the rights of each employee to join or not join a trade union or other bona fide employee representative organization.
Hydro Studios believes in good communications with employees and in promoting consultation, co-operation and teamwork on matters of mutual concern.
We contribute to healthy, safe and secure workplaces
Hydro Studios is committed to conducting all its activities in a manner which achieves the highest practicable standards of health and safety.
Hydro Studios seeks to protect its employees, physical assets, information and reputation from potential security threats.
We respect the environment
Hydro Studios is committed to ensuring that, as far as reasonably practicable, any detrimental effects of its activities, products and services upon the environment are minimized.
We contribute to our communities
In addition to the provision of employment opportunities and training and development activities, Hydro Studios seeks to contribute to the communities in which it operates by participation in, and support for, community and charitable initiatives.
Hydro Studios properly pays the taxes arising on its operations and activities whenever and wherever due.
We participate in relevant public debates
As and when appropriate, Hydro Studios engages with governments, government departments, agencies and other organizations in relation to issues which affect its legitimate business interests, either directly or through trade associations or other similar bodies.
We respect human rights
Hydro Studios seeks to uphold all internationally recognized human rights wherever its operations are located.
Hydro Studios adheres to all relevant government guidelines designed to ensure that products are not incorporated into weapons or other equipment used for the purposes of terrorism or abuse of human rights.
We have high standards of financial record-keeping and reporting
Hydro Studios records all business transactions accurately, prudently and transparently, in accordance with accounting best practices.
Comprehensive assessment and management of risk, together with strong systems of internal control, are essential aspects of the Hydro Studios structure and serve to ensure that it is managed effectively and that reported results are accurate.
The Code applies to all of us.
Application and Compliance
Our Code applies throughout Hydro Studios and to all its employees worldwide. It is translated where appropriate, is provided in hard copy by local Human Resources departments. Disregard or breach of the Code by an employee may result in disciplinary action.
Our Code serves as a governing document to which other policies must adhere.
Where a Hydro Studios company is a participant in any joint venture or commercial sharing arrangement, Hydro Studios seeks, as far as practicable, to ensure that the combined vehicle complies with our Code.
Hydro Studios expects and encourages employees to bring promptly to management’s attention any suspected or actual breaches of our Code. Any employee making such information known through the appropriate channels will not face any adverse or unfavorable treatment for such disclosure.