about the Company or its associates, and not to accept improper or undisclosed material personal benefits from third parties as a result of any transaction or transactions of the Company.
II. Conflicts of Interest
A “conflict of interest” arises when an individual’s personal interest interferes or appears to interfere with the interests of the Company. A conflict of interest can arise when a director, officer or employee takes actions or has personal interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her Company work objectively and effectively.
There are a variety of situations in which a conflict of interest may arise. While it would be impractical to attempt to list all possible situations, some common types of conflicts may be:
| · | To serve as a director, employee or contractor for a company that has a business relationship with, or is a competitor of the Company; |
| · | To have a financial interest in a competitor, supplier or customer of the Company; |
| · | To receive improper personal benefits from a competitor, supplier or customer, as a result of any transaction or transactions of the Company; |
| · | To accept financial interest beyond entertainment or nominal gifts in the ordinary course of business, such as a meal or a coffee mug; |
| · | To present at a conference where the conference sponsor has a real or potential business relationship with the Company (e.g. vendor, customer, or investor), and, the conference sponsor offers travel or accommodation arrangements or other benefits materially in excess of the Company’s standard; or |
| · | To use for personal gain, rather than for the benefit of the Company, an opportunity that you discovered through your role with the Company. |
Fidelity or service to the Company should never be subordinated to or dependent on personal gain or advantage. Conflicts of interest should be avoided.
In most cases, anything that would constitute a conflict for a director, officer or employee also would present a conflict if it is related to a member of his or her family.
Interests in other companies, including potential competitors and suppliers, that are purely for management of the other entity, or where an otherwise questionable relationship is disclosed to the Board and any necessary action is taken to ensure there will be no effect on the Company, are not considered conflicts unless otherwise determined by the Board.
Evaluating whether a conflict of interest exists can be difficult and may involve a number of considerations. Please refer to other policies, such as the employee handbook, for further information. We also encourage you to seek guidance from the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, or their equivalents (the “Senior Financial Officers”), or your manager when you have any questions or doubts.
III. Disclosure
Each director, officer or employee, to the extent involved in the Company’s disclosure process, including the Senior Financial Officers, is required to be familiar with the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures applicable to him or her so that the Company’s public reports and documents comply in all material respects with the applicable securities laws and rules. In addition, each such person having direct or supervisory authority regarding these securities filings or the Company’s other public communications concerning its general business, results, financial condition and prospects should, to the extent appropriate within his or her area of responsibility, consult with other Company officers and employees and take other appropriate steps regarding these disclosures with the goal of making full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure.