Takeaway: Disclose. Disclose. Disclose. If you’re facing a situation that may pose or appears to pose a conflict of interest, disclose the situation to Compliance and a compliance colleague will review your disclosure and make an assessment on next steps.
Proper disclosure can be made in one of three ways:
• Update your Conflict of Interest Disclosure Questionnaire with Compliance
• Ask your Segment or Business Unit Chief Compliance Officer for guidance
• Send an email to GlobalComplianceOffice@manulife.com
Conflicts of Interest have Damaging Consequences and Must Be Avoided. Conflicts of interest damage the trust between you, the public and the Company. We all must be vigilant in this regard, and must avoid all interactions, relationships or situations that could reasonably give rise to a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Situations that Create the Appearance of a Conflict Should be Handled as if an Actual Conflict Existed. The appearance of a conflict raises the same ethical concerns as an actual conflict of interest and should be treated with the same level of caution. The appearance of a conflict, like situations that give rise to the appearance of impropriety, has the potential to suggest that unethical conduct may be occurring and may impact Manulife’s reputation with its customers and regulators. If you’re not sure whether the situation you are facing gives rise to the appearance of a conflict or the appearance of impropriety, ask yourself, “What would someone outside of this situation think about it?” If the answer is that someone could reasonably think that something unethical may be occurring, or that a conflict exists, then you are facing a situation that gives rise to the appearance of impropriety or the appearance of a conflict.
Steps You Can Take to Help Prevent Conflicts or the Appearance of Conflicts of Interest
Always Disclose Potential Conflicts. Disclose. Disclose. Disclose. To help prevent conflicts or the appearance of conflicts, you must update your Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Certification and Conflict of Interest Disclosure Questionnaire annually. You are also responsible for updating the Questionnaire as your circumstances change during the year. In disclosing a potential conflict of interest, you are required to fully and truthfully provide all relevant details, including information that may not have been requested, but that may have an impact on the evaluation of the potential conflict of interest.
Report Potential Conflicts to Your Manager and Recuse Yourself from the Conflicted Situation. If an actual conflict, potential conflict or the appearance of a conflict of interest arises, in addition to updating your Conflict of Interest Disclosure Questionnaire, report it immediately to your manager. If an actual conflict of interest arises unexpectedly, in addition to reporting the matter to your manager, you must immediately recuse yourself from any decision-making relating to the situation giving rise to the conflict of interest.
Compliance and Legal Review Potential Conflicts and Help Determine Appropriate Action. Once a potential conflict of interest is disclosed, Legal and Compliance examine the facts and circumstances related to the disclosure to determine whether a potential or actual conflict of interest exists. As outlined above in the section “Why Ethics Matter,”
Manulife does not waive actual conflicts of interest under any circumstances. In some cases, potential conflicts of interest can be managed if the right controls are implemented, but only if also properly disclosed. Other controls include recusal from any decision-making relating to the situation giving rise to the potential conflict of interest.
Quick Conflicts Check
Identifying potential conflicts of interest involves a level of judgement. To help you identify a conflict, ask yourself the following questions:
| • | Does the situation present competing interests? |
| • | Could this be perceived as impacting my judgment in any way? |
| • | Could this be perceived as trying to influence a certain outcome? |
| • | Does this situation create a potential benefit for me (including people close to me) personally? |
| • | Have I disclosed that potential benefit to the Company? |
| • | Am I still able to act in the best interest of Manulife, customers, investors and other stakeholders? |
| • | Would I be comfortable with this situation if it happened to someone else? |
| • | Would I be comfortable if the details of the situation were made public (i.e. in media outlets)? |
If in Doubt, Consult the Global Functions Compliance Office. If you need further advice, consult the procedures described in the section of this Code titled “Where to go for help.” When in doubt about whether a situation poses a potential conflict of interest, consult the Global Functions Compliance Office (GlobalComplianceOffice@manulife.com) or your Segment Chief Compliance Officer.
The following are some of the most common areas of potential conflicts of interest, but the most reliable guideline is your own common sense.
Deal at Arm’s Length with Suppliers and other Counterparties
Be Aware of Potential Conflicts of Interest with Supplier and Counterparty Relationships. You must not be associated in any way with agreements between the Company and suppliers in which you or a member of your immediate family have an interest, or which might result in any personal gain or benefit to you or to any member of your family.
In addition, you must not engage in transactions or other business decision- making relating to suppliers, vendors, customers or other business relationships that may benefit you or a member of your immediate family, without seeking explicit written authorization from a supervisor in your reporting chain, who must be at least AVP level, and updating your Conflict of Interest Disclosure Questionnaire. A supervisor may only authorize such a relationship only after consulting with Compliance and determining that there is no actual conflict of interest.
Follow Company Policy about Family Members
Avoiding Conflicts of Interest with Hiring, Transferring or Managing Family Members. In some situations, hiring, transferring or managing family members can lead to conflicts of interest, potential for collusion, unethical employment practices and the appearance of special treatment. Family members must not be in positions that give them direct or indirect supervisory authority over another family member in any context. Any potential conflicts must be avoided or managed in consultation with Compliance.
Business Areas Must be Aware of Family Member Relationships Internally. Family members in certain identified business units and job functions could create the appearance of and/or the potential for collusion and theoretical fraudulent activity. Business areas must be aware of these situations to ensure proper controls are in place to mitigate this risk.
Definition of Family Members. For purposes of the Code, family members include: spouse (as defined for benefit purposes), domestic partner, significant other, children, grandchildren, siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, in-law relationships and step or common-law/ in-law relationships. For more guidance, refer to the Global Hiring Policy.
Disclosure Requirements for Intimate Personal Relationships. Intimate personal relationships between co-workers can also create conflicts of interest or the appearance of special treatment. Any intimate personal relationship that develops between an employee and their manager or any person who is in an actual or perceived position of power or influence or who could provide input on their performance or career should be immediately reported to Employee Relations or their HR Business Partner so that controls (including but not limited to changing the reporting lines) may be put in place to avoid an actual conflict of interest.
Bribery and Kickbacks are Prohibited
Bribery and Kickbacks Strictly Prohibited. Manulife does not allow unfair business practices such as bribery, kickbacks or insurance rebating (generally rebating is type of kickback defined as returning a portion of the premium or the commission on the premium to the insured or other inducements to place business with a specific insurer). These practices are against Company policy in all places where we conduct business.
Bribery is generally defined as: offering, giving, soliciting or receiving anything of value to influence the actions of another person or entity.
A Kickback is generally defined as a negotiated form of bribery in which payment is made to someone who facilitated a transaction, situation or outcome.
Be Careful about Gifts
Offers of gifts and entertainment are courtesies common among business partners. However, offering, soliciting or accepting gifts, entertainment, gratuities or other benefits can be mistaken for improper payments. For this reason, the guidelines below must be followed.
Rules for Company Officers, Employees and their Family Members. Officers and employees or their family members must not receive money or any item of value, including the promise of employment or future business from any third party in connection with the officer’s or employee’s participation in any Company transaction. Officer compensation, other than Company wages, bonus, pension or benefits, may be regulated by law and requires approval by a Segment Head.
Additional Rules for Company Officers to Follow. Company officers may not have any interest in commissions or other compensation based on premiums or consideration payable to the Company on any policy or contract of insurance unless the policy or contract was written and effective prior to the officer’s appointment. In addition to the rules noted below, a director, officer or employee may not give or receive any gift or form of gift, gratuity or entertainment to or from anyone with whom the Company has, or is likely to have, any business dealings, if the gift or entertainment could reasonably be perceived as an attempt to influence the recipient’s judgment. For example, a director, officer or employee should never solicit a gift, gratuity or shared business entertainment from a current or prospective business partner or client in exchange for a certain outcome or in circumstances where the director’s, officer’s or employee’s judgment may appear to be influenced. This also applies to charitable donations of any kind. Any charitable donations made by current or prospective business partners or clients must be appropriate.
Suitability of Gifts, Gratuities, Charitable Contributions or Entertainment. If the suitability of a gift, gratuity, charitable contribution or entertainment is questionable, employees must consult with their Segment Chief Compliance Officer and/or Legal Officer. After escalation to the Segment Chief Legal Officer or Segment Chief Compliance Officer, if there is any remaining concern about whether the gift or expenditure is allowed under the Code, the matter must be escalated to the Global Compliance Chief. Additionally, Manulife directors should forward inquiries to the Manulife General Counsel. Non- management directors of Manulife’s subsidiaries should consult with the entity’s General Counsel or person holding a similar position.
Public Officials. Gifts, gratuities or entertainment provided to public officials, including employees of state-owned enterprises and political parties, are covered in the section titled “Take Care in Government and Political Dealings.”
Insurance Customers or Prospects. In many of the jurisdictions we operate in, gifts or entertainment, including promotional items, are subject to insurance anti-rebating and inducement laws governing the sale of insurance and annuity products. Questions regarding the application of these laws should be directed to your Segment Compliance Officer.
Sales and Related Activities. Specialized rules and regulations apply to sales activities in many of the jurisdictions we operate in. For example, in the U.S., FINRA rules govern the receipt and giving of gifts involving registered representatives or broker-dealers. Questions regarding the applicability of these sales-related rules and regulations should be directed to your Segment Compliance Officer.
Dealing with the External Auditor. No employee of Manulife should give to or receive from the External Auditors any gifts or things of value. Additional guidance is outlined in a memorandum from the Chief Financial Officer dated March 15, 2021.
Be Careful about Personal Benefits
Personal Benefits to You or Your Family Member Can Create a Conflict of Interest. Conflicts of interest may arise if you or your family member receive a personal benefit as a result of your position in the Company. All such personal benefits, including loans and guarantees of obligations from the Company, must be disclosed on the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Certification and Conflict of Interest Disclosure Questionnaire and approved by the Company. Personal loans to executive officers are prohibited unless specifically permitted by law.
Involvement in Investment Decisions Requiring Disclosure: Manulife directors, officers and employees shall not recommend or participate in any Company investment decision involving an entity in which they or any of their family members have a financial interest, unless the existence of such interest has been properly disclosed to a supervisor in their reporting chain, who must be at least AVP level, and to all those involved in all stages of the investment approval process. In addition, as with any other potential conflict of interest, the supervisor must consult with relevant compliance personnel in their Segment and determine that there is no actual conflict of interest. Manulife directors and corporate officers should also review Manulife’s Conflict of Interest Rules for Directors and Officers.
Giving in an Ethical Manner
Charitable Contributions Evaluated under Community Investment Standard. Investing in the communities we serve is an important way we drive social impact. In addition to meeting the requirements outlined elsewhere in the Code, all Community Investment contributions to charitable, non-profit or similar organizations are reviewed to help ensure they align with our values.
Invest in an Ethical Manner
Trading Manulife Securities while in Possession of MNP Prohibited. Directors, officers and employees must strictly follow all laws and regulations affecting investments. It is unethical and illegal for directors, officers and employees to buy or sell Manulife securities while in possession of material
information that has not been publicly disclosed about the Company or to inform another person, except as permitted by law, of material information that has not been publicly disclosed.
In addition, it is unethical and may be illegal to buy or sell securities of another company with the benefit of your knowledge of the Company’s investment intentions or any material information that has not been publicly disclosed about that company.
Beware of Conflicts of Interest when Investing. Directors, officers and employees must also be cautious of potentially being in a conflict of interest where they wish to make an investment in a business entity which they know transacts business with Manulife or in which Manulife has made an investment.
Do Not Speculate in Manulife Securities. In order to comply with applicable laws and to ensure that perceptions of improper insider trading do not arise, Manulife prohibits its directors, officers and employees from speculating in Manulife securities. Speculation includes the purchase or sale of Manulife securities with the intent of reselling or buying back in a relatively short period of time, with the expectation of a rise or fall in the market price of such securities, the buying or selling of derivatives such as put or call options on Manulife securities and short selling Manulife securities.
Additional Guidance Related to the Insurance Companies Act (Canada). Furthermore, directors, officers and insiders of the Company who directly or indirectly short sell Manulife securities or buy or sell put or call options or other derivatives on Manulife securities may be liable, pursuant to the provisions of the Insurance Companies Act (Canada), to compensate persons who suffered a loss and to compensate the Company for any benefit or advantage received as a result of the transaction.
Monetization of Equity Awards Before Vesting and Payment is Prohibited. The monetization of equity awards before vesting and payment by the Company is prohibited.
Refer to Manulife’s Insider Trading and Reporting Policy for More Information. For further questions relating to the handling of inside information and/or the trading of Company securities or derivatives, you should refer to Manulife’s Insider Trading and Reporting Policy.
Some Employees May Also Be Subject to Business-Level Code of Ethics. Additionally, as a global financial institution, government regulators, business partners and customers expect Manulife to adopt and enforce codes and standards to proactively address the conflicts between employee personal investing and the investment activities of our businesses. Thus, certain employees who are involved directly or indirectly in Manulife’s investment businesses or have access to certain sensitive investment information are required to comply with certain business-level codes of ethics.
Business-Level Codes of Ethics Apply to Employee and Members of Their Household. These business-level codes of ethics impose disclosure obligations and limit personal investment activities in Manulife and non-Manulife securities by both the employee and members of the employee’s household. These obligations and limitations include but are not limited to: obtaining Manulife approval for certain personal securities transactions, providing Manulife with access to personal securities holdings and transaction information, limitations on the use of certain brokerage firms and limitations on certain personal investment activities.
Working for Competitors May Jeopardize the Company
Working for a Competitor Prohibited. No Manulife officer or employee may work for any organization that competes with the Company or enter into a relationship that creates a conflict of interest with the Company. This includes serving as a director, officer, trustee, partner, employee, consultant or agent.
Report All Outside Employment or Business Activity to the Global Functions Compliance Office. Employees must report all outside employment or business activity to the Global Functions Compliance Office by submitting a Conflict of Interest Disclosure Questionnaire to the Global Functions Compliance Office. Employees have a continuing obligation to update their Conflict of Interest Disclosure Questionnaire and submit it to Global Compliance whenever circumstances change.
Guidance for Directors of Manulife or its Subsidiaries. Directors of Manulife or its subsidiaries will follow their own policies relating to outside business relationships.
External Directorships
Report All Prospective External Directorships Prior to Accepting. Employees must report to the Global Functions Compliance Office any external directorships they wish to accept. While many external directorships do not pose a conflict of interest and may not require approval, some external directorships could pose a potential conflict and/or will require approval. For that reason, before accepting an external directorship,
employees must report a prospective directorship to the Global Functions Compliance Office for review.
External Directorships Reviewed for Potential Conflicts of Interest. The Compliance function reviews all prospective directorships to confirm that the directorship does not pose a conflict of interest, and to confirm that appropriate approvals are obtained.
Use Caution Regarding Outside Positions
Outside Positions Cannot Hamper Your Performance, Judgment or Create a Conflict of Interest. Outside work or financial involvement in external organizations can lead to conflicts of interest, which could interfere with your ability to give objective, full-time attention to your work with Manulife or could damage the Company’s reputation. Subject to applicable law, you must not engage in any other employment or take any civic, charitable, government or political position that would hamper your performance or your judgment to act in the Company’s best interest or that would create a conflict of interest. You have a continuing obligation to update your Conflict of Interest Disclosure Questionnaire and submit it to Global Functions Compliance whenever your circumstances change.
Protect Corporate Opportunities
Protecting Corporate Opportunities. Individuals to whom this Code applies are prohibited from: (a) benefiting from opportunities that are discovered through the use of Company property, information or position; (b) using Company property, information or position for personal gain; and (c) competing with the Company during the term of their relationship with the Company. You owe a duty to the Company to advance its legitimate interests when the opportunity to do so arises.
Protect the Company’s Name, Reputation and Assets
Company Name Used for Authorized Company Business Only. The name “Manulife” must be used only for authorized Company business and never for personal activities. Do not identify yourself with the Company while pursuing personal, political or not-for-profit activities, unless you obtain prior approval from the Chief Compliance Officer in your Segment.
Statements About the Company Must be Honest and Accurate. An important way to protect the Company’s reputation is to always be honest and accurate when making statements when discussing the Company. False information or statements about the Company, its representatives, employees, products or services can damage the Company’s reputation. You must not make false written or oral statements about the Company, its employees or representatives or its products and services in print, via electronic media or in person.
Guidance for Those with Access or Control Over Company Transactions and Assets. Each director, officer, employee, representative or other associate entrusted with access to or control over Company transactions and assets must ensure that each use, acquisition or disposition of an asset by a person on behalf of the Company is undertaken with the general or specific authorization of management and is accurately and fairly recorded in reasonable detail in the Company’s books of account and record.
Intellectual Property. During the course of, or related to, your employment or provision of services to the Company, as applicable, you may be involved in the creation, development or invention of intellectual property. Intellectual property includes but is not limited to: ideas, concepts, methods, processes, inventions, Confidential Information and trade secrets, works of authorship, trademarks, service marks, marketing materials and designs. All such intellectual property and associated worldwide intellectual property rights, such as copyrights and patents, will be owned by the Company (and to the extent not owned by the Company will be hereby assigned to the Company). You agree you are responsible for co-operating with the Company and providing all necessary assistance to ensure that all such intellectual property and related rights become (or remain) the exclusive property of Manulife, including by providing Manulife with such assignments, waivers and other documents as may be requested.
Protecting Company Assets. We all share a responsibility to protect Company assets. All documents, records, data, equipment and other physical property provided to you by the Company, or otherwise obtained or produced in connection with your employment with the Company, shall be or remain at all times the property of the Company. Company time, property and services, including assets such as stationery, computers and mail services, may not be used for personal activities, except as permitted by Company policies, unless you have your manager’s specific approval. Personal activities include charitable causes. You may not remove or borrow Company property without permission. You should report any misuse of Company assets to your manager, Segment Compliance Officer, Segment Law Department, Segment Human Resources Department or via the Ethics Hotline.
Handling Information: Protect Personal and Confidential Information
Confidential Information Defined. Information is one of the Company’s most vital assets. For purposes of this Code of Conduct, “Confidential Information” includes all non-public information that might be of use to competitors or harmful to the Company or our customers or other stakeholders if disclosed.
Confidential Information includes: (a) all proprietary and Confidential Information relating to the business and affairs of Manulife, whether in writing, oral, or some other format, including but not limited to, financial information, data, pricing, strategies, reports, forecasts, inventions, improvements and other intellectual property, trade secrets, know-how, designs, processes or formulae, software, market or sales information, customer information, client lists, business plans and prospects and opportunities that have been discussed or considered by Manulife (such as possible acquisitions or dispositions of businesses or facilities); (b) all information that is covered by protected categories such as Personally Identifiable Information, Protected Health Information and other specific regulations; and (c) all information that Manulife is obligated to maintain as confidential or that Manulife may receive or has received from others with any understanding, express or implied, that it will not be disclosed.
Handling Information Carefully. It is important that you understand how sensitive this information is and how significant it is for competitiveness and individual privacy. In the course of regular business, we collect a substantial amount of information about our applicants, customers, claimants, borrowers, employees, representatives, investors and business partners. We must handle this information with the greatest care to merit their confidence and protect their privacy.
Keep Information Secure, In Confidence and Use for Purposes Collected. Any Confidential Information acquired, or otherwise accessed in any way, by employees in the course of their employment must be kept secure, in confidence and used consistent with the purposes for which it was collected.
Use Discretion when Discussing Company Business in Public Places. It is important to use discretion when discussing Company business in public places such as elevators,
restaurants and airplanes, or when using public or cellular phones, the Internet and fax machines.
Laws or Company Policies Requiring Disclosure. Confidential Information may be disclosed to those who have a right to the information or when the law requires disclosure, or otherwise in accordance with applicable Company policies.
Obtain Authorization from Segment Chief Legal or Compliance Officer Before Disclosure. If you are required for legitimate business purposes to disclose Confidential Information to any person outside the Company, authorization must be obtained from your Segment Chief Legal Officer or Segment Chief Compliance Officer or their designee.
Communication with Regulators and Law Enforcement. Nothing in this Code of Conduct should be construed as prohibiting communication with any regulator or law enforcement, either voluntarily or in response to a regulatory or law enforcement inquiry. Please note that dissemination of certain information received from certain regulators may be restricted by the regulator providing the information. Any question is this area may be directed to the Global Compliance Chief or anonymously through the Ethics Hotline.
When You Leave the Company, Confidential Information Stays with the Company. You have a duty to protect both personal and Confidential Information even after your employment with, provision or services to or placement with the Company, as applicable, ends. In this regard, you must not retain access to or take any Company files or Confidential Information in any form with you when you leave the Company.
Follow Disclosure Requirements. Manulife is required to make disclosures about its financial condition and business activity on a timely and broadly disseminated basis and without being unduly optimistic on prospects for future company performance. The Company makes such disclosures through authorized spokespersons or authorized filings. The key principles of disclosure are:
| • | All materials must be broadly disseminated in a timely manner. |
| • | Disclosure must be full, fair, understandable and accurate and avoid any misrepresentation of the Company and its finances. |
| • | Disclosure must be accomplished consistently during both good times and bad. |
| • | All legitimate requests for information should be treated equally. |
Employees must refer all inquiries from the financial community, shareholders and media to an authorized spokesperson.
Respect Copyrighted Materials
Be Aware of Copyright Rules. Copyright laws protect many materials you use in the course of your work as an employee or representative of Manulife. A few examples are computer software, books, audio, video, music and multimedia recordings, trade journals, cartoons, newspapers and magazines, digital images and photographs. There may also be copyrights on presentation slides, training materials, management models and problem-solving frameworks produced by outside consultants. It is illegal to copy, share, post, reproduce, distribute or alter copyrighted material in either print or digital format without the permission of the copyright owner or authorized agent.
Comply with Copyrights and Comply with License Agreements. You must also comply with the copyrights on software installed on your office computer and on the network computer storage areas you control. You may not copy, install or otherwise use software in a manner that violates the license agreement for that software.
Keep Full and Accurate Records
Guidance on Keeping Full and Accurate Records. The Company requires full and accurate records to meet its legal and financial obligations and to manage its business properly. All Company books, financial reports, expense accounts, time sheets, administrative records and other similar documents must be completed accurately, honestly and in accordance with Company procedures. Making false, fictitious, misleading or inappropriate entries with respect to any transaction of the Company or the disposition of any of the Company’s assets is prohibited, and no director, officer, employee, representative or other associate may engage in any transaction that requires or contemplates the making of false, fictitious, misleading or inappropriate entries. You are responsible for the accuracy and completeness of any reports or records you create or maintain. Undisclosed or unrecorded assets, liabilities, revenues or expenses are prohibited.
Comply with Company’s Records Management Policies. Furthermore, all directors, officers, employees, representatives and other associates must comply with the Company’s records management policies. These policies describe how long documents and records (whether in print or electronic form) must be maintained in order to facilitate the
Company’s ongoing operations and to satisfy financial, legal and regulatory retention requirements. These policies also provide directions for the proper disposal of records that have been kept for the required periods. In accordance with these policies, in the event of litigation or governmental investigation, please consult your Segment Law Department.
Use Communication Systems and Services for Business
Company Communications Systems Are for Business Use Only. Company communications systems, which include all computer and telecommunications equipment the Company owns or leases as well as all remote computing services used by the Company, including the Internet, as well as Company email and email addresses, are intended to be used for business purposes.
Employees Must Use Company-Approved Systems. Employees must use communication systems and devices in a professional manner and must not engage in any activity which does not comply with the Code. Company business must be conducted using Company-approved systems and networks and Company-approved remote access procedures.
Occasional Personal Use of Company Communications Systems Limited. Occasional personal use of Company communications systems is permitted when the use does not:
| • | interfere with the user’s work performance; |
| • | distract other individuals from their job responsibilities; |
| • | unduly impact the operation of Company systems or processes; or |
| • | violate any provisions of this Code or any other Company policy. |
Rules on Using Company Communications Systems. All Company communications systems (including but not limited to email, instant messages, collaboration messages, voice mail, as well as data on these systems) are the Company’s property. Authorized individuals may periodically check these systems to correct network problems, pursuant to regulatory requirements or otherwise and/or to ensure they are being properly used and secure. You cannot expect any personal privacy for communications that you send, receive or store on these systems.
Solicitation or Distribution on Company Communications Systems of Non-Work-Related Materials Not Allowed. Company communications systems are for business use only and are not intended for employees to solicit or distribute information that is not work-related. In addition to creating potential conflicts of interest, distributing non-work-related materials during work time reduces productivity and may pose a security or fraud concern. Any exceptions to this must be approved by the Segment Chief Compliance Officer and/or Legal Officer.
Illegal Gambling in the Workplace Prohibited. Company communications systems should never be used for gambling. The Company prohibits illegal gambling in the workplace. This includes, but is not limited to, the wagering of money or other valuables on the outcome of events, such as sport pools, raffles, card and dice games. Any drawings, contests, or similar activities must be approved by Human Resources, Legal and/or Global Compliance to ensure such activities do not constitute illegal gambling.
Social Media
Social Media Usage. Manulife and its subsidiaries recognize that social media is an important tool to use to connect with others in interactive discussions, share information, and advance business objectives using an ever-increasing number of platforms and applications, such as Facebook, WeChat, WhatsApp, LinkedIn and Twitter. At the same time, use of social media can pose risks to the Company’s Confidential Information, reputation and brands, and can jeopardize the Company’s compliance with applicable laws, regulations and business rules.
Employees Are Accountable for What they Post Online. Postings/communications made through social media are or can become public and they may be difficult or impossible to rescind. Employees are accountable for what they post online and must follow the Company’s Electronic Communications Standard, which provides guidance on authorized business and personal social media use. Note that paid sponsorships for social media are considered outside employment/business activity and must be reported to the Global Functions Compliance Office by submitting a Conflict of Interest Disclosure Questionnaire.
Social Media Monitoring. Please note the Company monitors social media sites for discussion of the Company, our business and our fellow employees.
Additional Guidance. For more guidance, refer to the Global Social Media Policy.
Ethics and the Law
Consequences for Potential Criminal Conduct. Manulife is committed to operating within the laws and regulations of every jurisdiction in which it operates. If an intentional violation of the Code also involves potential criminal conduct, unless prohibited under local law, Manulife may, in addition to terminating an individual’s relationship with the Company without notice, refer the matter to law enforcement, disclose the matter to a regulator or self-regulatory organization and disclose (internal and/or external) relevant facts underlying the conduct and the Company’s remedial measures.
Know and Comply with the Law
Know and Follow the Laws that Affect Your Work. You are required to understand the laws that affect your work and make sure your business conduct complies with those laws. You must promptly report violations and always act in accordance with this Code and other applicable Company policies.
Manulife’s Compliance Management Program. A formal compliance management program is in place at Manulife. It is designed to promote consistent management and monitoring of compliance with laws and regulations in all Company operations. If you have questions or concerns relating to compliance, consult the procedures described in the section of this Code titled “Where to go for help.”
Membership in a Professional Association. If you belong to a professional association, you are also expected to abide by that association’s governing rules of professional responsibility and conduct in the performance of your job.
Manage Assets Properly
Customer Funds Handled in a Trustworthy Manner. Customers expect that the money they entrust to the Company will be handled responsibly. If you have access to customer funds, you must make sure customer funds are handled in a trustworthy manner. Every Segment has procedures and standards to help protect and account for all funds under management and to prevent carelessness, fraud or dishonesty.
Identify and Report Fraud and Theft
Be Aware: Fraud Takes Many Forms. As a provider of financial services, Manulife is vulnerable to losses from dishonesty and fraud. Fraud can take many forms, such as mishandling of money, theft of cash or property, money laundering, corrupt payments of money and provision of things of value, terrorist financing, misrepresentation and falsification or forgery of documents.
Duty to Report Any Suspicious Activity. Dishonest activities, combining personal and business funds and fraud are all illegal. It is management’s responsibility to ensure there are proper internal controls to deter and detect fraud and other dishonest activities, but everyone in the Company must help. If you are aware of any suspicious activity, you have a duty to report it immediately to the relevant immediate supervisor, Business Unit Compliance Officer and the Segment Chief Compliance Officer, or via the Ethics Hotline. Furthermore, you have a duty to fully and truthfully cooperate with any investigations pertaining to Company matters.
Reminder: Reporting Any Illegal or Unethical Behaviour
Duty to Report. You have a duty to report suspected or potential illegal or unethical behaviour and to seek input when you are in doubt about the best course of action in a particular situation. Consult the procedures described in the section of this Code titled “Where to go for help” on reporting any suspected or potential illegal or unethical behaviour.
The Company Prohibits Retaliation for Good Faith Reports. As outlined above, you may report suspected or potential illegal or unethical behaviour without fear of retaliation. The Company absolutely prohibits retaliation of any kind for good faith reports of suspected or potential illegal or unethical behavior. In addition, directors, officers, employees, representatives and other associates are expected to fully and truthfully cooperate in internal investigations of alleged misconduct.
A Final Word
Manulife’s reputation is the result of more than 130 years of dedication, quality service and ethical dealings. Keeping our good reputation depends directly on the decisions you make every day.
This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics provides standards and sets high expectations for directors, officers, employees, representatives, suppliers and other associates, as well as those providing services to the Company. Subject to the approval of the MFC Audit Committee, the Company may modify the Code at any time, as appropriate.
However, as emphasized in the Code, your own good judgment is most important in ensuring that Manulife remains an ethical company.
Other Policies
The Company has related policies to help you deal with ethical issues, including on topics related to Anti-Fraud, Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing, Information Security, Privacy, Social Media, Reputation Risk, Insider Trading and Reporting, among others. Segments may also maintain Segment-level policies or standards.
Company policies can be found in the Company Policies Database.
Clawback Policy. Finally, please also note that all executives at the Vice President level and above are required to comply with the clawback policy, under which the Board has the discretion to cancel unvested incentive awards and/or clawback vested and/or paid incentive awards, as applicable, in the event of your fraud, theft, embezzlement or serious misconduct (which includes, but is not limited to, dishonesty or a breach of company policy to the material detriment of Manulife’s or John Hancock’s business or reputation and any conduct that would qualify as cause for termination of employment at common law) irrespective of whether there was a financial restatement. In this paragraph, “incentive awards” include vested, unvested and/or paid AIP payments, RSUs, PSUs, DSUs and/or Stock Options.
Further Helpful Information
If you wish to ask questions about the Code or report suspected misconduct, you may reach out or raise your concerns to your manager, Legal, Compliance, your Human Resources Partner or Employee Relations and for those seeking to remain anonymous, you may contact Manulife’s Ethics Hotline. Manulife’s Ethics Hotline is available 24-hours per day, seven days per week. You may report suspected or potential illegal or unethical behaviour without any fear of retaliation.
Contact the hotline at: www.manulifeethics.com or 866-294-9534.