Today marks the publication of the Bertelsmann Code of Conduct as a binding guideline for legal and ethically responsible conduct. In a letter to all employees, Hartmut Ostrowski elaborates on Bertelsmann’s first worldwide code of conduct, which is binding for all employees. Read on for the full text of the Chairman’s letter. (benet)                                                                                             

Hartmut Ostrowski

Dear colleagues,

Today we are publishing the Bertelsmann Code of Conduct—the first such code applicable to all our employees worldwide—as a binding guideline for legal and ethically responsible deportment in our company. This code, in essence, is the formalized continuation of a style and attitude of our company management, honed and tested over decades, by which issues of ethics and social responsibility are given the full attention they deserve. The scope of the Bertelsmann Code of Conduct ranges from social responsibility, workplace conduct, financial transactions and reporting to the proper use of media and technology. 

The Executive Board and Supervisory Board approved the Bertelsmann Code of Conduct following a rigorous decision-making process involving all the major groups in the company—shareholders, management and employee representatives. One hundred executives in ten countries actively contributed to the intensive discussions and its development. 

The Bertelsmann Code of Conduct is designed to further the success of our company. Only a company whose entire workforce is committed to complying with the spirit and letter of the law can prevail in the competition for talent, employees, customers and business partners of the highest integrity and accomplishment. Violations of the law and noncompliance with our internal guidelines harm Bertelsmann economically and jeopardize all the efforts of our Executive Board and of our employees. 

The Bertelsmann Code of Conduct conforms to international standards and is based on applicable laws and Bertelsmann’s own internal guidelines. It also builds on the foundation of the Bertelsmann Essentials, which instruct us in our interaction not just with employees, customers, business partners and government agencies, but with society and the environment as well. The Bertelsmann Code of Conduct thus reaffirms with clarity and transparency for everybody within and outside of the company what was already a matter of course for the company: Our businesses must be managed in accordance with the spirit and the letter of the law.

Bertelsmann wishes to operate in an environment in which laws are respected and any violations are openly addressed. The Bertelsmann Code of Conduct demonstrates the high priority that we assign to complying with this obligation. The key element in achieving this is the compliance of each and every one of us to our Code of Conduct. I wish to thank you in advance for your continued role in maintaining Bertelsmann’s reputation for corporate responsibility. 

Yours,

Hartmut Ostrowski