Exhibit 14.1
COMPUTER PROGRAMS AND SYSTEMS, INC.
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
Introduction
This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics sets forth the guiding principles by which we operate Computer Programs and Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) and conduct our daily business with our stockholders, customers, suppliers and with each other. These principles apply to all of the directors, officers and employees of the Company. The Code should also be provided to and followed by the Company’s other agents and representatives, including consultants.
While this Code covers a wide range of business practices and procedures, it does not include all of the policies and procedures of the Company. It does not cover every issue that may arise, but sets out basic principles to guide all employees, officers and directors of the Company in making sound judgments regarding compliance with the law and ethical business conduct. All of our directors, officers and employees must read this Code and conduct themselves accordingly. You must seek to avoid even the appearance of improper behavior.
If a law conflicts with a policy in this Code, you must comply with the law. If you have any questions about these conflicts, you should ask your supervisor how to handle the situation.
Those who violate the standards in this Code will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.If you are in a situation which you believe may violate or lead to a violation of this Code, follow the guidelines describedinSection14of this Code.
1. Compliance with Laws, Rules and Regulations
Obeying the law, both in letter and in spirit, is the foundation on which this Company’s ethical standards are built. All employees must respect and obey the laws of the United States and the cities and states in which we operate. Although not all employees are expected to know the details of these laws, it is important to know enough to determine when to seek advice from supervisors, managers or other appropriate personnel.
If requested, the Company will hold information and training sessions to promote compliance with laws, rules and regulations, including insider-trading laws.
2. Conflicts of Interest
All directors, officers and employees of the Company should be scrupulous in avoiding any action or interest that conflicts with, or gives the appearance of a conflict with, the Company’s interests. A “conflict of interest” exists whenever an individual’s private interests interfere or conflict in any way (or even appear to interfere or conflict) with the interests of the
Company. A conflict situation can arise when an employee, officer or director takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her work for the company objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest may also arise when a director, officer or employee or member of his or her family receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position with the Company, whether from a third party or from the Company.
Loans to, or guarantees of obligations of, employees and their family members may create conflicts of interest. It is almost always a conflict of interest for a Company employee to work simultaneously for a competitor, customer or service provider. You are not allowed to work for a competitor as a consultant or board member. It is best to avoid any direct or indirect business connection with our customers, suppliers, service providers or competitors except on the Company’s behalf.
Conflicts of interest are prohibited as a matter of Company policy, except under guidelines approved by the Board of Directors. Conflicts of interest may not always be clear, so if you have a question, you should consult with higher levels of management. Any employee, officer or director who becomes aware of a conflict or potential conflict should bring it to the attention of a supervisor, manager or other appropriate personnel or consult the procedures described in Section 14 of this Code.
3. Insider Trading
Employees, officers and directors who have access to confidential information are not permitted to use or share that information for stock trading purposes or for any other purpose except the conduct of our business. All non-public information about the Company should be considered confidential information. To use non-public information for personal financial benefit or to “tip” others who might make an investment decision on the basis of this information is not only unethical but also illegal.
In order to assist with compliance with laws against insider trading, the Company has adopted a separate Insider Trading Policy governing trading in securities of the Company. If you have any questions, please consult the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, who serves as the Insider Trading Compliance Officer of the Company.
4. Corporate Opportunities
Employees, officers and directors are prohibited from taking for themselves personally opportunities that are discovered through the use of corporate property, information or position without the consent of the Board of Directors. No employee may use corporate property, information, or position for improper personal gain, and no employee may compete with the Company directly or indirectly. Employees, officers and directors owe a duty to the Company to advance its legitimate interests when the opportunity to do so arises.
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5. Competition and Fair Dealing
We seek to outperform our competition fairly and honestly. The Company seeks competitive advantages through superior performance, never through unethical or illegal business practices. Stealing proprietary information, possessing trade secret information that was obtained without the owner’s consent, or inducing such disclosures by past or present employees of other companies is prohibited. Each employee should endeavor to respect the rights of and deal fairly with the Company’s customers, suppliers, competitors and employees. No employee should take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts, or any other intentional unfair-dealing practice.
The purpose of business entertainment and gifts in a commercial setting is to create good will and sound working relationships, not to gain unfair advantage with customers. No gift or entertainment should ever be offered, given, provided or accepted by any Company employee, family member of an employee or agent unless it: (1) is not a cash gift, (2) is consistent with customary business practices, (3) is not excessive in value, (4) cannot be construed as a bribe or payoff and (5) does not violate any laws or regulations. Please discuss with your supervisor any gifts or proposed gifts to give or receive which you are not certain are appropriate.
6. Discrimination and Harassment
The diversity of the Company’s employees is a tremendous asset. We are firmly committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and will not tolerate any illegal discrimination or harassment of any kind. Examples of prohibited conduct include derogatory comments based on racial or ethnic characteristics and unwelcome sexual advances. Additional information on the Company’s employment policies and procedures can be obtained from the Human Resources Department.
7. Health and Safety
The Company strives to provide each employee with a safe and healthy work environment. Each employee has responsibility for maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for all employees by following safety and health rules and practices and reporting accidents, injuries and unsafe equipment, practices or conditions.
Violence and threatening behavior are not permitted. Employees should report to work in condition to perform their duties, free from the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol. The use of illegal drugs in the workplace will not be tolerated.
8. Record-Keeping
The Company requires honest and accurate recording and reporting of all information in order to make responsible business decisions. For example, only the true and actual number of hours worked should be reported for compensation purposes.
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Many employees regularly use business expense accounts, which must be documented and recorded accurately. If you are not sure whether a certain expense is legitimate, ask your supervisor or your controller.
All of the Company’s books, records, accounts and financial statements must be maintained in reasonable detail, must appropriately reflect the Company’s transactions and must conform both to applicable legal requirements and to the Company’s system of internal controls. Unrecorded or “off the books” funds or assets should not be maintained unless permitted by applicable law or regulation.
Business records and communications often become public, and you should avoid exaggeration, derogatory remarks, guesswork, or inappropriate characterizations of people and companies that can be misunderstood. This applies equally to e-mail, internal memos, and formal reports. Records should always be retained or destroyed according to the Company’s record retention policies.
9. Confidentiality
Directors, officers and employees must maintain the confidentiality of confidential information entrusted to them by the Company or its customers or suppliers, except when disclosure is authorized by an executive officer of the Company or required by laws or regulations. Confidential information includes all non-public information that might be of use to competitors, or harmful to the Company or its customers, suppliers or employees, if disclosed. It also includes information that customers, suppliers and employees have entrusted to us. The obligation to preserve confidential information continues even after employment ends. In connection with this obligation, every employee should have executed a confidentiality agreement when he or she began his or her employment with the Company.
10. Protection and Proper Use of Company Assets
Directors, officers and employees should endeavor to protect the Company’s assets and ensure their efficient use. Theft, carelessness, and waste have a direct impact on the Company’s profitability. Any suspected incident of fraud or theft should be immediately reported for investigation. Company equipment should not be used for non-Company business, though incidental personal use may be permitted.
The obligation of employees to protect the Company’s assets includes its proprietary information. Proprietary information includes intellectual property such as trade secrets, patents, trademarks, and copyrights, as well as business, marketing and service plans, engineering and manufacturing ideas, designs, databases, records, salary information and any unpublished financial data and reports. Unauthorized use or distribution of this information would violate Company policy. It could also be illegal and result in civil or even criminal penalties.
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11. Payments to Government Personnel
The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act prohibits giving anything of value, directly or indirectly, to officials of foreign governments or foreign political candidates in order to obtain or retain business. It is strictly prohibited to make illegal payments to government officials of any country.
In addition, the U.S. government has a number of laws and regulations regarding business gratuities that may be accepted by U.S. government personnel. The promise, offer or delivery to an official or employee of the U.S. government of a gift, favor or other gratuity in violation of these rules would not only violate Company policy but could also be a criminal offense. State and local governments, as well as foreign governments, may have similar rules. The Company’s Chief Financial Officer can provide guidance to you in this area.
12. Reporting any Illegal or Unethical Behavior
Directors, officers and employees who suspect or know of violations of this Code or illegal or unethical business or workplace conduct by directors, officers and employees have an obligation to contact either their supervisors, managers or other appropriate personnel. You are encouraged to talk to supervisors, managers or other appropriate personnel when in doubt about the best course of action in a particular situation. It is the policy of the Company not to allow retaliation for reports of misconduct by others made in good faith by employees. You are expected to cooperate in internal investigations of misconduct.
Employees must read the Company’s Employee Complaint Procedures for Accounting and Auditing Matters, which describes the Company’s procedures for the receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters. Any employee may submit a good faith concern regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters without fear of dismissal or retaliation of any kind.
13. Amendments and Waivers of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Any amendments to or waivers of this Code applicable to executive officers or directors may be made only by the Board or a Board committee and will be promptly disclosed as required by law or stock exchange regulation.
14. Compliance Procedures
We must all work to ensure prompt and consistent action against violations of this Code. However, in some situations it is difficult to know if a violation has occurred. Since we cannot anticipate every situation that will arise, it is important that we have a way to approach a new question or problem. These are the steps to keep in mind:
| | • | Make sure you have all the facts. In order to reach the right solutions, we must be as fully informed as possible. |
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| | • | Ask yourself: What specifically am I being asked to do? Does it seem unethical or improper? This will enable you to focus on the specific question you are faced with, and the alternatives you have. Use your judgment and common sense; if something seems unethical or improper, it probably is. |
| | • | Clarify your responsibility and role. In most situations, there is shared responsibility. Are your colleagues informed? It may help to get others involved and discuss the problem. |
| | • | Discuss the problem with your supervisor. This is the basic guidance for all situations. In many cases, your supervisor will be more knowledgeable about the question, and will appreciate being brought into the decision-making process. Remember that it is your supervisor’s responsibility to help solve problems. |
| | • | Seek help from Company resources. In the rare case where it may not be appropriate to discuss an issue with your supervisor, or where you do not feel comfortable approaching your supervisor with your question, discuss it with your Human Resources manager. |
| | • | You may report ethical violations in confidence and without fear of retaliation. If your situation requires that your identity be kept secret, your anonymity will be protected. The Company does not permit retaliation of any kind against employees for good faith reports of ethical violations. |
| | • | Always ask first. Act later. If you are unsure of what to do in any situation, seek guidance before you act. |
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