Hutech's Code of Conduct

Our Code of Conduct

Our Code of Conduct contains a number of important guidelines of behaviors and is intended to guide all of us in our daily business but also in our strategic planning and our decision-making processes. Where appropriate, our Code of Conduct will be modified by local laws and standards.

Our Code of Conduct is not intended to be a static instrument. It will be continuously developed and adapted to the ever-changing legal and economic environments that affect the ways that we conduct. 

With this in mind we have revised our Code of Conduct, the foundation of which is our “Vision and Values”. The “Vision and Values” represent the fundamental principles to which Hutech Solutions commits. 

Hutech Solutions’s image and reputation, as a company that operates in an ethically and legally appropriate manner, is inseparable from the conduct of each of us as we perform our work, everyday. We, the employees of Hutech Solutions, are expected to respect laws and regulations, avoid conflicts of interest, protect the Company’s assets, and show consideration and appreciation for the local customs, traditions and social mores of the various countries and cultures in which Hutech Solutions conducts business. In fulfilling our responsibilities within Hutech Solutions, we do not take ethical shortcuts. Improper conduct will never be in Hutech Solutions’s interest.

Should you have any questions, or if you are uncomfortable with a decision or a course of action being undertaken, take the issue to a higher level within the Hutech Solutions organisation. Make sure you get good advice. But what is most important: Observe our Code of Conduct and never accept that others will violate it. We should be aware that our values define us to the world. Therefore, Hutech Solutions’s image and reputation rests in each of our hands, everyday.

Contents

  1. Observing laws and social norms
  2. Individual responsibility for the reputation of Hutech Solutions
  3. Respect for People
  4. Safety, health and the environment
  5. Conflicts of interest
  6. Corporate citizenship and donations
  7. Treatment of business partners, public officials and other representatives
  8. Market and competitive behaviour
  9. Protection of assets and safeguarding of competitively sensitive information
  10. Avoidance of contractual risk
  11. Financial integrity
  12. Reporting violations, enforcement, sanctions

1.Observing laws and social norms

Hutech Solutions is represented in many regions around the world and therefore operates subject to the laws and regulations of different legal systems. Being a good corporate citizen means that we, the employees of Hutech Solutions, comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations in the communities in which we operate, while also respecting local traditions and other social norms. A failure to do so could seriously damage Hutech Solutions’s reputation and result in other negative consequences.

2. Individual responsibility for the reputation of Hutech Solutions

The regard in which Hutech Solutions is held is substantially determined by the behaviour and actions of each individual employee, irrespective of the position held within the Hutech Solutions organisation. Consequently, improper conduct, even on an isolated individual basis, can significantly damage Hutech Solutions. Personal integrity and an elevated sense of responsibility help all of us to decide which response is most appropriate in a given situation. We should always ask ourselves: 

  • Is my action or my decision in keeping with relevant laws, standards and norms, and with the values and standards of Hutech Solutions? 
  • Are my actions and decisions free from personal conflicts of interest in all cases? 
  • Will my decision withstand public scrutiny? 
  • Am I, through my behaviour, contributing to the reputation of Hutech Solutions as a company that maintains high ethical and legal standards?

3. Respect for people

Hutech Solutions’s continued success depends upon our commitment to develop and utilise the diverse talents and energies of all Hutech Solutions employees, throughout the world. Employees and prospective employees are assessed based upon principles of equality and fairness. The hiring, compensation and promotion of Hutech Solutions employees is conducted in accordance with all relevant laws and regulations.

We strive to create an environment of mutual respect, encouragement and teamwork. We value a sharing environment that provides the opportunity for open communications, continuous learning and diversity: these are the sources of our strength, today and in the future. Our goal is to provide a workplace environment that attracts and retains highly talented and motivated people, while helping them to achieve their full potential, without regard to their differences or similarities. Each of us is responsible for creating a workplace environment that rewards high performance and a commitment to excellence, as well as an atmosphere of trust and respect: a productive work environment. We also recognize our obligation to respect the personal dignity and guard the privacy rights of all of our employees, customers, service providers and suppliers. Hutech Solutions expects its employees, customers, service providers and suppliers to respect these principles.

4. Safety, health and the environment

Hutech Solutions and each of its employees play an active role in making the locations in which we operate a good place to live and work. Protecting people and the environment, and conserving resources, have long been counted among our core values. Hutech Solutions has been and remains committed to sustainable and socially responsible development; the promotion of safe and healthful working conditions; and striving for sustained progress in the fields of safety, health and the environment.

Specifically, each of us must:

  • Conduct work and maintain his workplace in a safe manner; 
  • Immediately report to the relevant internal departments any accidents, operational malfunctions, dangerous conditions, chemical spills or other hazardous conditions that are detected so that appropriate measures can be promptly taken to minimise damage and correct the problem.

5. Conflicts of interest

We demand of ourselves, and those with whom we associate, the highest ethical standards. Private interests and the interests of Hutech Solutions must be kept strictly separate. Consequently, all employees should avoid situations that may lead to a conflict between their personal interests and those of Hutech Solutions. Hutech Solutions employees, during contacts with existing or prospective customers, suppliers, clients and competitors, must act in the best interests of Hutech Solutions to the exclusion of any personal advantage. The following situations can, in particular, give rise to possible conflicts of interest: 

Business relationships

  • Business relationships with a company in which an employee, a relative or a friend of an employee has a direct or indirect stake in the form of a significant shareholding. 
  • A specific transaction with another company in which a relative or friend of an employee is involved or has a financial interest on the side of the other company concerned. 
  • Transactions with former employees or that directly involve friends or relatives of an employee.

In the event of possible conflicts of interest, you must inform your manager and await a decision by Hutech Solutions as to how you should proceed. 

Private activities

Integrity and loyalty are also indispensable in relation to private employee activities that may have an effect on Hutech Solutions. All employees must ensure that any second or additional occupations, sideline activities or spare-time work have been previously approved, in writing, by your manager, or by the respective Human Resources Department, if: 

  • Such activities or related work could adversely affect your operational and professional performance; 
  • Such secondary activities could potentially create a conflict or the appearance of a conflict with the actual or contemplated business activities of Hutech Solutions and its affiliates; 
  • Hutech Solutions facilities or equipment are to be used or a particular operational experience or expertise gained while in the employ of Hutech Solutions is to be utilised. 

Express, written approval from the respective Human Resources Department must also be obtained where employees wish to perform functions in companies with which Hutech Solutions has business relationships or is in competition. 

Social involvement

Hutech Solutions welcomes the private involvement of employees in clubs, associations and other social or cultural institutions that pursue generally recognized and legally permitted objectives. Such involvement must not, however, jeopardise the fulfilment of your duties with respect to Hutech Solutions as your employer. Nor may such involvement impact upon the regard in which Hutech Solutions is held. When expressing private views within a public arena, employees shall not make any reference to their position within Hutech Solutions.

6. Corporate citizenship and donations

As a responsible corporate citizen, Hutech Solutions makes financial and material donations in support of social institutions, environmental initiatives, education, science, health, sport, art and culture. 

The criteria applied in relation to donations are essentially as follows:

  • Need; 
  • Sustainable effect; 
  • Transparency, i.e. the recipients and the specific purpose must be known to enable monitoring of the proper appropriation of donations; 
  • No donations to political parties; 
  • No donations or support for organisations or institutions that do not pursue generally recognized and accepted objectives.

7. Treatment of business partners, public officials and other representatives

We expect our suppliers and service providers to respect our ethical standards, and to act accordingly.

Within the marketplace, Hutech Solutions enhances its standing through the quality and value of its services. We make decisions on the basis of known economic criteria, within the bounds of relevant laws, standards and norms. 

We are honest in our dealings with others, obeying all applicable laws and corresponding regulations governing fraud, bribery and corruption, and avoiding even the appearance of a conflict of interest.

Acceptance and granting of incentives, gifts and favours

To retain the trust of others and sustain long-term relationships, we recognize the need to avoid even the appearance of a conflict between personal interests and the interests of Hutech Solutions. As employees of Hutech Solutions, we acknowledge our responsibility to conduct ourselves in a manner that ensures that no personal dependencies, obligations or commitments arise. We may not permit ourselves to be influenced in our business decisions and actions by either gifts or any other type of benefit or incentive. It is recognized that giving or accepting such gifts could put Hutech Solutions at legal risk, while also undermining our customer relationships and reputation. 

To this end, no employee of Hutech Solutions may, in the course of their business activity, either directly or indirectly, demand, accept, offer or grant incentives or rewards that would be unethical. This applies with respect to individuals, companies and also public institutions. 

In particular, no inducements whatsoever may be offered or granted to any holder of public office, either at home or abroad. This applies to all types of favour, benefit, gift and payment, or any other consideration. The only recognized exception is that of generally accepted customary, occasional, or promotional gifts of small value, in keep-ing with local mores and customs. Also permitted are acts of hospitality and other favours provided they are legally permissible and of verifiable small value. In order to preclude any suspicion of any attempt to influence business decisions, strict standards are applied when judging the value of a consideration and when deciding whether the consideration is in line with local mores and customs. 

Approval

If employees intend to offer someone a gift or favour, and if they have even the slightest concern as to whether this could influence a decision, they must ask the recipient to have acceptance approved by the latter’s managers. If the recipient refuses to do this, this should be regarded as an indication that they themselves find the gift inappropriate.

 Employees of Hutech Solutions are likewise required to obtain approval from their managers for the acceptance of gifts or favours where any doubts as to their propriety exist. 

Money laundering

No employee shall, either alone or in concert with others, perform any activities that contravene domestic or foreign regulations governing money laundering. In the event of doubts as to the propriety of transactions that involve the transfer of cash, the relevant financial department should be consulted at an early stage. 

8. Market and competitive behaviour

Hutech Solutions and its employees are unconditionally committed to the principles of fair competition and must comply with the antitrust and fair competition laws of the countries in which Hutech Solutions conducts business. 

As accurate legal assessment depends on the complexities of the laws concerned and the individual circumstances of each situation, an attorney from Hutech Solutions’s Law Group should be consulted wherever doubt arises. Nevertheless, there are forms of conduct that typically constitute a violation of competition laws:

Relationships and interactions with competitors

Agreements with competitors and coordinated behaviour aimed at or causing a restraint or limitation on competition are forbidden. These include agreements to fix or set prices, quotations, terms and conditions of sale, production or sales quotas, and also the apportionment or allocation of customers, territories, markets or product portfolios. Not only formal agreements are forbidden, but also coordinated behaviour arising from, for example, informal talks or gentlemen’s agreements aimed at or giving rise to such a restraint on competition. 

In discussions with competitors, we must apply strict controls in order to ensure that we do not pass on or receive any information that would allow conclusions to be drawn about the current or future market behaviour of the information donor. Thus, a Company attorney should always be consulted prior to engaging in a joint activity that involves communications with competitors. Current or future information regarding price, margins, costs, market share, internal proprietary practices, sales terms and specific customer or vendor information should not be obtained from or exchanged with a competitor. 

Customer relationships

Relationships with our customers, suppliers and also patentees or licensees are governed by a number of legal regulations relating to fair competition. In accordance with these laws and regulations, Hutech Solutions employees will not act in any way that would restrict a customers’ pricing freedom or interfere with supply relationships with their business partners (geographical, personal or material restraints). Hutech Solutions employees will not encourage illegal tying and resale arrangements.

Abuse of a dominant market position

Owing to its market position in relation to certain products, Hutech Solutions also has to obey certain special rules. For example, abuse of a dominant market position may be deemed to have occurred in the event of differentiated treatment of customers without material justification, refusal of supply, the imposition of inappropriate purchasing/selling prices and terms and conditions, or tie-in transactions without any material justification for the demanded additional counter-consideration.

The definition of a dominant market position is variable from case to case, as are the limits of permissible behavior. In cases of doubt, early contact should be made with a Hutech Solutions corporate attorney. 

Trade and professional association meetings

While attendance at and participation in such meetings, on behalf of Hutech Solutions, may be important to further corporate objectives, it is also recognized that attendance at such meetings can present a potential antitrust/fair competition risk due to contacts with competitors during the course of the meeting. Hutech Solutions employees shall attend only meetings of legitimate trade and professional associations, conducted for proper business purposes. It is preferable that meeting minutes be taken and made available. Any benchmarking or comparative information supplied must be in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations. When in doubt, a Hutech Solutions corporate attorney must be consulted. 

9. Protection of assets and safeguarding of competitively sensitive information

Within their sphere of activity, all employees bear their share of responsibility for the protection of the tangible and intangible assets of Hutech Solutions. Physical or tangible assets include property such as Company products, equipment, facilities, vehicles, computers and software, bank accounts, stocks and bonds, charge cards, files and other records. Intangible assets include informational assets, such as information developed by employees or agents of Hutech Solutions that is not generally known to the public (i.e. business secrets and/or know-how), industrial proprietary rights, technologies, and other items of information that are of value, important and thus needful of protection. Information provided by suppliers, customers and other business partners might also require protection.

In this context, IT security plays an important part. All employees are requested to use the information systems only in an ethical, legal and courteous manner and to use the provided security tools e.g. encryption and security procedures e.g. password handling to protect the Hutech Solutions data sufficiently.

Private use of corporate property

Installations, systems, facilities and equipment in offices and other corporate property of Hutech Solutions may only be used by employees for non-Company purposes with the written approval of appropriate levels of management or in accordance with special corporate guidelines/rules.

Treatment of confidential information

Employees are obliged to treat as confidential all internal matters relating to Hutech Solutions that have not been expressly approved for release into the public domain. 

The communication of confidential internal information (for example, business strategies, research results or contents of internal reports), to unauthorised personnel either inside or outside Hutech Solutions is not permitted. This also applies to information that employees have received from third parties on a confidential basis. If your job requires you to disclose certain confidential information to third parties, specific manager approval is necessary and consideration should be given to the need for a confidentiality agreement, approved by a Company attorney and signed by the third party that will receive the confidential information. 

Employees who, on the basis of their association with Hutech Solutions, learn of confidential information not approved for release into the public domain shall not use this information for their personal benefit nor for the benefit of any other person.

10. Avoidance of contractual risk

Hutech Solutions takes its responsibility to contractual partners seriously. To avoid misunderstandings and unintended consequences, the risk management system of Hutech Solutions requires that all employees who bear responsibility for the conclusion of agreements and contracts shall, prior to such conclusion, perform a careful assessment of the contractual duties and terms and of the risks that could arise from such agreement. Due to the complexity and legal implications associated with commercial agreements, as well as the potential for conflicts with other corporate relationships, it is the policy of Hutech Solutions that the Hutech Solutions Law Group be involved in the preparation and review of all material contracts as defined by the Company.

11. Financial Integrity

In order to maintain the trust and respect of our shareholders, employees, business partners, communities and government officials, our financial reporting must be correct and truthful at all times.

Reporting system

All records and reports published for external consumption must be prepared timely and in line with all relevant laws and regulations. 

Accounting practice

In keeping with existing legal requirements, as well as internationally recognized accounting standards, Hutech Solutions’s assets, financial transactions, operating positions, and cash flows must be accurately recorded and openly reflected in the Company’s records and public documents. We conduct business consistent with all applicable laws and regulations in every place that Hutech Solutions conducts business. We, the employees of Hutech Solutions, strive to do the right thing. 

12. Reporting violations, enforcement, sanctions

The provisions of this Code of Conduct represent the fundamental components of Hutech Solutions’s corporate culture. This document should, however, not be misinterpreted as providing a basis for demanding that Hutech Solutions adopt a certain mode of behaviour. We, the employees of Hutech Solutions, acknowledge that employees who violate any laws, regardless whether they are subject matters of our Code of Conduct or other Company policies may be disciplined up to and including termination of employment. Hutech Solutions managers may also be disciplined for failing to detect a violation in their area if, in the judgement of the Company, the failure resulted from inadequate supervision of employees. 

Advice

Hutech Solutions strives to provide its employees with the information and training needed to assist employees in avoiding situations that might violate the law, our Code of Conduct or other Company policies. However, in cases of doubt, employees may obtain advice from their line managers or the Legal, Audit or Human Resources departments.

Reporting violations

Violations of the law, the Hutech Solutions Code of Conduct or other Company policies can be raised with your manager, human resources or audit representative, or a Company attorney. 

Any reports must be in line with the law. Anyone who consciously makes false statements regarding another person may commit a criminal offence. 

 

Reprisals

The Company will not discharge, demote, suspend, threaten, harass, or in any other manner, discriminate against an employee who reports a violation. Hutech Solutions will also not tolerate any attempts whatsoever to prevent employees from reporting such matters.

Conflicts of Interest, Gifts and Entertainment, Bribery and Improper Dealings

All Hutech Solutions employees are expected to have undivided loyalty to the company. We make decisions in our company’s best interest and seek to avoid situations where our personal interests or outside influences would conflict or appear to conflict with those of the company. 

1. Conflicts of Interest

A conflict of interest arises when an employee’s personal, social, financial, or political activity may interfere, or has the appearance to interfere, with his or her loyalty or objectivity to Hutech Solutions. Conducting Hutech Solutions’s business in an honest and ethical manner requires an appropriate handling of real or ap parent conflicts of interest. If a conflict of interest has arisen, or if the potential for a conflict of interest exists, the matter should be disclosed to your manager.

Common Examples of Conflicts of Interests

General Guidance

  • Any apparent conflict of interest should be fully explained to your manager so that prior written permission is obtained. If you are uncertain about priorities or about your conduct in a potential conflict of interest situation or business relationship, you may consider what your answers would be to the following questions, and approach your Compliance Representative for further advice, if one of the answers is “Yes”: 
  • Would my activity affect or appear to affect any decision I will make for Hutech Solutions? 
  • Might others inside the company or my coworkers think it could affect my judgement or influence my job duties?

2. Gifts and Entertainment

As employees of Hutech Solutions, we are in contact with various suppliers and customers vital to Hutech Solutions’s success. Accordingly, relationships with suppliers, customers and other third parties require clear commitments to fair dealing and sound business decisions. The exchange of gifts and entertainment of an excessive nature may have an impact on our ability to make decisions free of any conflict of interest. Gifts and entertainment of a nominal nature ordinarily would not create a conflict or create the appearance of impropriety provided that local business practice and customs allow the offer and acceptance of inexpensive gifts or mementos and modest entertainment. Extravagant gifts and entertainment are never acceptable. In the rare event that a legitimate business reason or local business practice allows acceptance of a gift of significant value, it becomes property of Hutech Solutions and must be delivered to the company for use, display or other disposition. Upon his request, Hutech Solutions may decide to sell the gift to the employee, who forwarded the gift to the company.

Gifts and Entertainment Definition

Generally, gifts and entertainment mean anything of value. The list of potential items may be endless and the following examples are for illustrative purposes only: 

Gifts:

Cash or cash equivalent, discounts or favourable terms on products or service (except, if granted to all Hutech Solutions employees), loans, prizes, transportation, use of vehicles, use of vacation facilities, gift certificates, stocks, watches, calendars, pens or other promotional items and accessories, etc. 

Entertainment:

Business meals, sports events, hotel arrangements, etc. 

Appropriate or Inappropriate Gifts and Entertainment :

Hutech Solutions has developed two general categories defining appropriate and inappropriate gifts and entertainment. Gifts and Entertainment customarily allowed or allowed with Prior Approval Gifts and entertainment which are allowed and do not require special approval must be nominal in value (estimated value up to INR 2000.–) and considered a matter of common business courtesy under local business practice. Entertainment must be linked to a valid business purpose. As a rule, the following modest expressions of goodwill, if consistent with local law, industry, and business practice, are acceptable:

inexpensive promotional items, “logo” pens, calendars, caps and the like, flowers, a fruit basket, a book or comparable items, a small collection of product samples, occasional meals, ordinary sport event, theatre or other cultural event (any entertainment, but only if customer is in attendance). 

For any entertainment offered to you in excess of a market value of € 300.– in the single case (or from any one source in a year) you may wish to get prior written approval from your manager. The same applies if you are offered travel or entertainment lasting more than one day or a limited public access/contingent special event entertainment 

Generally, if you are considering accepting or approving a gift or entertainment, even if within the limits mentioned above, you should always consider the following issues: 

  • Would the gift or entertainment likely influence your objectivity? 
  • Is the gift or entertainment linked to a business purpose? 
  • Would your acceptance/approval set precedents for other employees? 
  • Would you expect to receive negative feedback in case your acceptance/ approval were made known to other Hutech Solutions employees or to the public outside your company, or to your friends or your family?

Inappropriate Gifts and Entertainment

  • In a number of cases, the acceptance of gifts or of entertainment is inappropriate or wrong and Hutech Solutions employees are requested to never accept or approve it:
  • If the gift is cash or cash convertible or cash equivalent, for instance, any kind of money transfer, bank check, loan etc. 
  • If the gift or the entertainment would be illegal or would result in violation of laws; or 
  • If the acceptance of a gift or of entertainment would be – or could be regarded as – anything “quid pro quo,” or 
  • If the gift or entertainment would embody an activity being regarded as immoral or would violate mutually accepted principles of respect, religions or cultures (including, but not limited to, sexually orientated activity); or 
  • If the gift or entertainment would violate the offering employer’s standards, rules or regulations. 

Procedure Upon Receiving an Inappropriate Gift

Any gift that you receive that would be wrong or inappropriate according to the principles described above, must be returned immediately and your manager should be informed accordingly. Where appropriate and in order to prevent further impropriety, a letter to the donor may be issued addressing Hutech Solution’s policy with respect to gifts.

Offering Gifts and Entertainment to Third Parties

Hutech Solution’s rules for acceptance of gifts and entertainment described above are also applicable when gifts and entertainment are offered by Hutech Solutions employees to suppliers and customers, or other third persons having a business relationship to Hutech Solutions. The guidelines just mentioned also apply to Hutech Solutions employees who make gifts to third parties so that: 

  • No gift should be made in value in excess of the limits described above, and 
  • Entertainment, if its nominal value exceeds INR30,000.– (or lower amount is consistent with local business practise) in a single case or to any one person or organization in a year, should not occur. Any exception to the foregoing requires prior written approval of your manager.

3. Anti-Corruption Compliance – Restrictions for Gifts, Entertainment or Other Favors to Government Officials

As employees of Hutech Solutions, we strictly restrain from offering money or anything else of value, directly or indirectly, to government officials to avoid influencing, or appearing to influence, official decisions and actions. Most countries around the world have adopted anti-bribery-laws, providing fines, criminal penalties (including possible imprisonment) and costly enforcement actions as well as high damage penalties against both the company and its employees found guilty or being involved in bribery activity. Further, activities violating anti-bribery laws may severely damage Hutech Solution’s reputation and the reputation of Hutech Solution’s employees and may lead to the vicarious liability of innocent third parties. For the purpose of this provision, the term “government official” shall include any individual working at a local, state or national govern-mental entity or agency or other institution and having a status similar to government officials by pertinent law, and their families in a broad sense.

General Guidance

  • No Hutech Solutions employee may promise, offer or provide any gift or other contributions of whatever value, kind and nature, to government officials, directly, indirectly or through an intermediary. 
  • No Hutech Solutions employee may provide meals, travel and entertainment to government officials, directly, indirectly or through an intermediary. The sole exception to the foregoing rule may be those instances where the meal, entertainment and transportation is occasional and 
  • Directly and in good faith linked to a valid business event involving the government official in his or her official activity, 
  • Is of reasonable, moderate value, and 
  • Upon careful consideration, if strictly consistent with local laws and local practice. Any such offer to government officials or employees will always require prior written approval of your manager.
  • Hutech Solutions and its employees may not, directly or indirectly, make donations and cannot promise, offer or provide any kind of gifts, individual entertainment, travel or meals to politicians, political parties, political organizations or to trade unions and their representatives, except where explicitly allowed or provided by local law, and then only in compliance with local law and upon written approval of the Compliance Representative. Hutech Solutions’s books, records and accounts will duly reflect these transactions and dispositions. 

4. Protection of Hutech Solutions Funds and Assets, “Internal Gifts”

Hutech Solutions employees are committed to protect and manage the company’s funds and assets with uncompromising honesty. We do not misuse our position at Hutech Solutions or its funds or assets to privately enrich ourselves or others inside or outside of Hutech Solutions. Accordingly, Hutech Solutions funds and assets are never available for unauthorized donations or other benefits such as personal or private purposes, and must be used for “company purpose” only, such as: 

  • if in Hutech Solution’s name, as giving entity; or 
  • if provided by individual or collective employment contract; or 
  • if linked to a valid business case or to a company event; or 
  • if linked to individual or collective official proceedings at Hutech Solutions; or 
  • if individual or collective incentive and had been properly rewarded and recorded. 

Usually, a personal gift to the retirement of a co-worker is not in Hutech Solution’s name, but a private disposition, other than the Administrative Assistant’s official company anniversary, sent in Hutech Solution’s name.

5. Commercial Bribery and Improper Business Dealings

In most countries, commercial bribery is illegal and subject to criminal prosecution and penalties, not to mention loss of reputation and high civil or criminal penalties. Even worse, commercial bribery undermines fair trade and fair market competition. Hutech Solutions’s goal is to win customers and consumers for its products by virtue of the product quality and value, not by illegal and unfair means. 

Accordingly, any personal payment, bribe, kickback or similar received by Hutech Solutions employees, or any offering of personal payments, of bribe or similar by Hutech Solutions employees to customers, suppliers or other third parties doing business with Hutech Solutions, is strictly prohibited. This prohibition to offer or receive such payments extends even to those localities where such practices are tacitly condoned, or where local law may provide lower ethical standards. 

In order to support the establishment of fair market conditions and to address the situation, Hutech Solutions employees should without delay report the offer of any improper payment to their manager, or a member of Hutech Solutions Law Group. For the avoidance of doubt, improper payments, bribes or similar include any and all benefits, including cash, cash equivalent, any kind of valuable services or other benefits of value, wrongfully offered to the employee, his family, or relatives.