|
The Ennis Standards of Business Conduct are a general guide to
the company's standards of business practices and regulatory compliance.
Its requirements apply to Ennis, Inc., to all subsidiaries, or
affiliates in which Ennis directly or indirectly owns more than
50 percent of the voting control ("Controlled
Affiliates"), and to all directors, officers, and employees of each. All
references to "Ennis, Inc." include Ennis and all Controlled Affiliates
unless otherwise specified. All references to "employees" include
directors, officers, and employees of Ennis and it subsidiaries or affiliates.
Failure to read and/or acknowledge the Standards of Business Conduct does not
exempt an employee from his/her responsibility to comply with the Standards
of Business Conduct, applicable laws, regulations, and all Ennis policies and
guidelines that are related to his/her job. A quarterly written affirmation
from key officers in positions of authority (as determined by the CEO and CFO)
that the Standards have been complied with by the officer/employee is required.
Failure to comply with this written affirmation will result in termination
of employment. Key officers/employees of newly acquired companies will be asked
if there are any current and ongoing circumstances that would not have been
within the Ennis standards of business conduct although no action will result
from such disclosures. However, the Company reserves the right to be aware
of such exceptions and failure to disclose may also result in termination of
employment. When you have knowledge of violations or potential violations of
the Code of Professional Conduct Policy you are required to immediately report
this knowledge to management or the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors
of the Company.
The address for the Audit Committee is: Audit Committee
Ennis. Inc.
P.O. Box 346
Midlothian, Texas 76065-0346
Ennis is an international company, and our business operations are
subject to the laws of many different states and countries. Ennis
employees doing business internationally must comply with all applicable
laws and regulations and uphold the Standards of Business Conduct
at all times. Cultural differences or local laws and customs may
require a different interpretation of our Standards. If this situation
arises, always consult your manager, Law and Corporate Affairs, or
the Director of Compliance before taking any action.
The Standards are not intended to and do not create an employment contract,
and do not create any contractual rights between Ennis and its employees or
create any express or implied promise for specific treatment in specific situations.
Your employment relationship with Ennis can be terminated at any time for any
reason with or without cause unless otherwise required by local laws in other
states or a written contract signed by a vice president. No exceptions can
be authorized to the Standards of Business Conduct except through action of
the Board of Directors of the Company.
Our Commitment: Integrity in All Our Interactions
Each day we interact with a variety of individuals and groups—including
our customers, partners, competitors, co-workers, shareholders, vendors, government
and regulatory agencies, and the communities in which we operate. We are committed
to interacting with all of these audiences in a respectful, ethical manner
and in full compliance with all regulatory requirements.
Ennis' Standards of Business Conduct
We manage our business in full compliance with all laws and regulatory
requirements.
Regulatory Compliance: We are aware of and strictly obey the laws and regulations
that govern the management of our business. We are responsible for understanding
these laws and regulations as they apply to our jobs and for preventing, detecting,
and reporting instances of non-compliance to a member of Ennis executive management,
Human Resources, and/or the Solutions Group managers. There are no circumstances
at Ennis that would allow us to disregard any law or regulatory requirement
in the conduct of our business, and no such activity will be tolerated.
We manage our business in full compliance with all laws and regulatory requirements.
Lobbying: We recognize our right and responsibility to lobby on behalf of issues
that affect our company and business operations. We conduct our lobbying activities
in full compliance with the laws and regulations governing these activities.
Political Activities and Contributions: Ennis employees are encouraged to exercise
their right to participate in political activities. Any decision to become
involved is entirely personal and voluntary. Employees' political activities
are done on their own time and with their own resources. We do not represent
ourselves as acting on behalf of and/or speaking for Ennis without permission
from the CEO.
Regulatory Investigations, Inspections, and Inquiries: We are direct, honest,
and truthful in our discussions with regulatory agency representatives and
government officials. During investigations, inspections, and inquiries we
work with Ennis’ CEO and cooperate by responding to appropriate requests
for information provided that the proper documentation or request for documentation
has been provided by the regulatory agency.
National Business Activities: Ennis acknowledges and respects the diverse cultures,
customs, and business practices it encounters in the national and international
marketplace. Ennis will comply with both the applicable U.S. laws and regulations
and foreign laws and regulations that govern its operations and local laws
wherever it does business.
Anti-Boycott Requirements: Ennis complies with U.S. law that prohibits
participation in international boycotts that are not sanctioned by
the U.S. government.
Fair Competition and Antitrust: As a national and international business, we
encounter laws and regulations designed to promote fair competition and encourage
ethical and legal behavior among competitors. Antitrust laws and fair competition
laws generally prohibit any activity that restrains free trade and limits competition.
We conduct our business in full compliance with these laws.
We build and maintain the trust and respect of our customers, consumers, partners,
and shareholders.
Responsible Leadership: We manage our business responsibly in order to maintain
the confidence, respect, and trust of our customers, consumers, partners, shareholders,
and other audiences. We are committed to acting with integrity, investing in
new product development, being responsive and accountable to our customers
and partners, and remaining a leader in our field. We understand the responsibility
that comes with being a national leader in financial, promotional, and printing
solutions and accept our unique role in both our industry and the American
business community.
Product and Service Quality: Ennis' products and solutions are developed and
managed to meet the expectations of our customers, consumers, and partners
for high quality and exceptional service. We continually seek new ways to improve
our products, service, and responsiveness.
Communication: We establish and maintain clear, honest, and open communications;
listen carefully; and build our relationships on trust, respect, and mutual
understanding. We are accountable and responsive to the needs of our customers,
consumers, and partners and take our commitments to them seriously. Our advertising,
sales, and promotional literature seeks to be truthful, accurate, and free
from false claims. We provide our shareholders with timely and appropriate
information subject only to competitive and legal constraints.
Obtaining Competitive Information: Ennis has an obligation, and is entitled,
to keep up with developments in our industry, including obtaining information
about our competitors. We obtain information about our competitors through
honest, ethical, and legal methods.
Fair Information Practices: Our business is built around providing forms, promotional
and financial solutions through information provided to us by our customers,
and we treat that information with confidentiality and integrity. We are committed
to creating a trustworthy environment for Internet users, and continually striving
to protect their online privacy is at the core of this commitment. We have
adopted privacy practices, developed technological solutions to empower individuals
to help protect their online privacy, and continue to educate customers about
how they can use these tools to manage their personally identifiable information
while they use the Internet.
Vendors:
Ennis vendors must adhere to the highest standards of ethical behavior
and regulatory compliance and operate in the best interest of Ennis.
Vendors are expected to provide high-quality services and products
while maintaining flexibility and cost-effectiveness. All vendors
can access and read the Ennis Code of Conduct on our website and,
when appropriate, train their employees and representatives to
ensure that they are aware of Ennis' expectations regarding their
behavior. Major or critical vendors (as determined by the Company)
will be required on an annual basis to confirm in writing that
they have read and understand the Ennis Code of Conduct and know
of no circumstances that would be in violation thereof. We do not
engage in any unethical or illegal conduct with any of our vendors.
We do not allow our employees to accept incentives such as kickbacks
or bribes in return for conducting business with them. Any such
action from an employee, officer or director of an acquired company
prior to said company being acquired by Ennis would no longer be
tolerated. Any such action currently taking place by an employee,
officer or director will result in immediate termination of their
employment or membership to the Board.
We are responsible stewards in the use, protection, and management of Ennis'
assets.
Financial Integrity: We honestly and accurately record and report all business
information. We comply with all local, state, and federal laws regarding record
completion and accuracy. We require that all financial transactions are executed
in accordance with management's authorization, and are recorded in a proper manner
in order to maintain accountability for Ennis' assets. Related party transactions
with employees, officers or directors of Ennis or its subsidiaries, involving
assets or liabilities of the Company must be reviewed and approved by the Board
of Directors of Ennis. Our financial information reflects only actual transactions
and is in compliance with Ennis and other applicable accounting practices.
Use and Protection of Assets: We wisely use and protect the assets of the company,
including property (both physical and intellectual), supplies, consumables, and
equipment. We use these assets exclusively for Ennis' business purposes.
Fiscal Responsibility: Ennis employees exercise good stewardship over and spend
Ennis' funds in a responsible manner.
Use of Information Technology: Use of company-provided information
technology and systems and access to its contents are authorized for legitimate
Ennis business-related purposes. At all times, we should use good judgment and
common sense; conduct ourselves ethically, lawfully, and professionally; and
strictly follow all authorization protocols while accessing and using company-provided
information technology and its contents. In using these company assets and systems,
we do not create, access, store, print, solicit, or send any material that is
intimidating, harassing, threatening, abusive, sexually explicit, or otherwise
offensive or inappropriate, nor do we send any false, derogatory, or malicious
communications.
Intellectual Property: We comply with the laws and regulations that govern the
rights to and protection of our own and others' copyrights, trademarks, patents,
trade secrets, and other forms of intellectual property.
Creation,
Retention, and Disposal of Records and Information Assets: We create,
retain, and dispose of our business records and information assets,
both written and electronic, as part of our normal course of business
in full compliance with all Ennis policies and guidelines, and
all regulatory and legal requirements.
Confidential and Proprietary Information: We respect our ethical and
legal responsibilities to protect Ennis' confidential and proprietary non-public
information and communicate it only as necessary to conduct Ennis' business.
We do not use this information for our personal advantage or for non-Ennis business
use, and maintain this confidentiality even after Ennis no longer employs us.
Third-Party Software: We use software and other content information
only in accordance with their associated licenses and/or terms of use. We prohibit
the making or using of copies of non-licensed copyrighted material, including
software, documentation, graphics, photographs, clip art, animation, movie/video
clips, sound, and music.
Insider Information and Securities Trading: In the course of doing business for
Ennis or in discussions with one of its customers, vendors, or partners, we may
become aware of material non-public information about that organization. Information
is considered "material" if it might be used by an investor to make
a decision to trade in the public securities of the company. Individuals who
have access to this type of information are called "insiders." We only
discuss this information on a limited, strict "need to know" basis
internally, and do not share it with anyone outside Ennis. We do not buy or sell
the public securities of a company, including our own, if we have such information,
and we do not share ("tip") this information with others. Because of
the extremely sensitive nature of and severe penalties associated with "insider
trading" and "tipping," contact Ennis' CFO before you buy or sell
public securities in situations that could be of this nature.
Conflicts of Interest: Ennis employees are expected to act at all times in Ennis'
best interests and to exercise sound judgment unclouded by personal interests
or divided loyalties. Both in the performance of our duties for Ennis and our
outside activities, we seek to avoid the appearance of, as well as an actual,
conflict of interest. Transactions between the Company and its employees, officers
or directors must be reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors to avoid
the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Gifts and Entertainment: Ennis policy and practice encourage the use of good
judgment, discretion, and moderation when giving or accepting gifts or entertainment
in business settings. Gift giving and entertainment practices may vary in different
cultures; however, any gifts and entertainment given or received must be in compliance
with law, must not violate the giver and/or receiver's policies on the matter,
and be consistent with local custom and practice. We do not solicit gifts, entertainment,
or favors of any value on an individual basis from persons or firms with which
Ennis actually or potentially does business. Nor do we act in a manner that would
place any vendor or customer in a position where he/she may feel obligated to
make a gift, provide entertainment, or provide personal favors to individual
employees or officers in order to do business or continue to do business with
Ennis.
Purchasing
Decisions and Practices: In our purchasing decisions, negotiations,
contract development, and contract administration we comply with
the applicable laws and regulations that govern those relationships.
We do not solicit personal favors, personal compensation, or personal
gratuities, whether given to an employee, officer or director,
or to other directed entities.
We promote a cooperative, and productive work environment.
Openness, Honesty, and Respect: In our relationships with each other, we strive
to be open, honest, and respectful in sharing our ideas and thoughts, and in
receiving input.
Equal Employment Opportunity: Ennis promotes a cooperative and productive work
environment by supporting the cultural and ethnic diversity of its workforce
and is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees
and applicants. We do not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color,
sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, age, disability,
or veteran status in any personnel practice, including recruitment, hiring, training,
promotion, and discipline. We take allegations of harassment and unlawful discrimination
seriously and address all such concerns that are raised regarding this policy.
Safety and Health: A safe and clean work environment is important to the well
being of all Ennis employees. Ennis complies with applicable safety and health
regulations and appropriate practices.
We are responsible, caring members of the American community.
Citizenship and Community Service: We have a strong commitment to the improvement
of society as well as the communities we serve and in which we operate. We encourage
the support of charitable, civic, educational, and cultural causes by our employees.
Our contributions could include volunteer employee and management time, and other
forms of assistance.
Respect for the Environment: Ennis respects the environment and protects our
natural resources. We comply with all laws and regulations regarding the use
and preservation of our land, air, and water.
|
