VI. | GIFTSAND ENTERTAINMENT |
The giving and receiving of gifts is a common business practice. Appropriate business gifts and entertainment are welcome courtesies designed to build relationships and understanding among business partners. Gifts and entertainment, however, should not compromise, or appear to compromise, your ability to make objective and fair business decisions. In addition, it is important to note that the giving and receiving of gifts are subject to a variety of laws, rules and regulations applicable to the Company’s operations. These include, without limitation, laws covering the marketing of products, bribery and kickbacks. You are expected to understand and comply with all laws, rules and regulations that apply to your job position.
It is your responsibility to use good judgment in this area. As a general rule, you may give or receive gifts or entertainment to or from collaborators, customers or suppliers only if the gift or entertainment is infrequent, modest, intended to further legitimate business goals, in compliance with applicable law, and provided the gift or entertainment would not be viewed as an inducement to or reward for any particular business decision. All gifts and entertainment expenses should be properly accounted for on expense reports.
If you conduct business in other countries, you must be particularly careful that gifts and entertainment are not construed as bribes, kickbacks or other improper payments. See the Company’s Global Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy, as amended from time to time, for a more detailed discussion of our policies regarding giving or receiving gifts related to business transactions in other countries.
You should make every effort to refuse or return a gift that is beyond these permissible guidelines. If it would be inappropriate to refuse a gift or you are unable to return a gift, you should promptly report the gift to your supervisor. Your supervisor will bring the gift to the attention of the Company’s General Counsel, who may require you to donate the gift to an appropriate community organization. If you have any questions about whether it is permissible to accept a gift or something else of value, contact your supervisor or a principal financial officer for additional guidance.
Note: Gifts and entertainment may not be offered or exchanged under any circumstances to or with any employees of the U.S. government or state or local governments. If you have any questions about this policy, contact your supervisor or a member of the Legal Department for additional guidance. For a more detailed discussion of special considerations applicable to dealing with the U.S., state and local governments, see “Interactions with Governments.”
Accurate and reliable records are crucial to our business. Our records are the basis of our earnings statements, financial reports, regulatory submissions and many other aspects of our business and guide our business decision-making and strategic planning. Company records include financial records, personnel records, records relating to our technology and product development, customer collaborations, manufacturing and regulatory submissions and all other records maintained in the ordinary course of our business.
All Company records must be complete, accurate and reliable in all material respects. Each employee and director must follow any formal document retention policy of the Company with respect to Company records within such employee’s or director’s control. Please contact your supervisor or a member of the Legal Department to obtain a copy of any such policy or with any questions concerning any such policy.
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