The Employee Code of Conduct can be defined as any rules and regulations, currently existing in the respective locations of QTC Line Group of companies (hereinafter referred to as "QTC Line"), including those traditionally expected to be adhered to. It includes this specific code and any new rules or regulations added from time to time, all of which QTC Line opines as the ethical standard to be observed by all employees in QTC Line (full time, part time, contract or otherwise ), and are acceptable by the public and private sectors for its operation and business.
QTC Line expects strict compliance with its Code of Conduct at all times and from all levels of employees in QTC Line, including its management team. QTC Line also reserves the right to or otherwise change this Code of Conduct at any time.
The QTC Line's Code of Conduct governs the following:
QTC Line's two main core businesses are to provide feeder services for the shipment of containerized cargoes (i.e. SOC) and to provide services involving the direct shipment of cargoes by its own containers (i.e. COC). QTC Line is committed to continuously enhance its position as a leading asset-based regional transportation provider with emphasis on meeting the expectations of our customers and shareholders through the dedication of the management and staff. Thus, to preserve the professionalism, all employees must:
1.1 Carry out their duties bearing QTC Line's interests/ benefits in mind. Therefore, staff are:
1.2 Maintain the confidentiality of any and all such information entrusted to staff by QTC Line or its customers. Confidential information includes, but not limited to, QTC Line's trade secrets, business trends, detailed sales, costing, marketing plans, research and development ideas or initiatives and information about potential acquisition, divestitures and investments.
Failure to observe confidentiality may jeopardize QTC Line's competitiveness and may result in a violation of law. Similar treatment should be extended to customers' information which is in staff's possession.
1.3 Are to conduct themselves professionally and should not express personal opinion relating to QTC Line's image, reputation or operations, unless authorized to do so. (More details in item 6 – Confidentiality)
1.4 Should protect QTC Line's assets and ensure their efficient use. Thus employees should safeguard QTC Line's physical properties and proprietary information against unauthorized use or removal as well as any loss by criminal act or breach of trust.
Employees should not take advantage of the name "QTC Line" by using it to obtain financial benefits, request credit or other services, as this may be detrimental to QTC Line's image and reputation. Staff should be mindful at all times, that any such act, which directly or indirectly resulting in QTC Line incurring a loss, shall subject himself /herself to legal proceedings depending on the severity of the damage suffered by QTC Line.
QTC Line recognizes the importance of good personal behavior which ultimately would transcend to the organization and society. All employees are thus expected to carry himself / herself with dignity, self respect and to maintain good credibility, all of which can be achieved by observing the following core values:
3.1 Honesty Honesty is being truthful in very facet of our day to day activities and includes how we treat our customers, vendors, colleagues and business associates.
3.2 Integrity To have integrity is to uphold ethical or moral principles, such as refraining from unethical manners in seeking higher position, merit or benefits from supervisors or others.
3.3 Respect Respect is regard for the inherent worth of each individual. It requires all staff to create a workplace where people are treated well and are afforded all of the rights they are entitled to with dignity and without being demoralized.
3.4 Credibility Credibility in the form of financial or otherwise, is another important value by which one can be assessed. Employees are to refrain from all vices and are not to engage in activities that may be detrimental to one's and / or QTC Line's honor and reputation. Example of some undesirable situations which would adversely tarnish one's credibility would be:
QTC Line is committed to provide a conducive working environment for its employees. In so doing, QTC Line expects full cooperation from all staff within QTC Line. Therefore, in order to promote and maintain such unity, employees must:
4.1 Endeavor to maintain cordial relationship among colleagues and wherever possible, to provide assistance to fellow colleagues.
4.2 Treat subordinates with fairness and compassionate, groom and develop them for their career advancement by imparting work related knowledge, and where possible, to provide training and opportunities with a view to increase their knowledge and experience.
4.3 Adopt an open-minded attitude to receive opinion of fellow colleagues as well as their recommendations relating to work, and if practical, deliberate on the feasibility of such, for the benefit of QTC Line's operations.
4.4 Implement supervisor's recommendations and observe protocol of the organization and be respectful , considerate and polite to others.
4.5 Abstain from disclosure of other employees' personal or work related information , and avoid passing any undesirable remarks that may be detrimental to fellow colleague.
4.6 Must not deliberately withhold any information with an intention to hinder fellow colleague's performance of his / her duties.
4.7 Treat fellow colleagues with fairness in the exact manner in which one would wish to be treated in a similar situation and give due honor and respect to others, for example, not to claim other's credit as his / her own.
It is QTC Line's policy not to engage in any anti-competitive practice which are unlawful and are restrictive to the free market economy. We observe rules and regulation applicable in the countries, states and local jurisdiction where the businesses are conducted and encourage fair competition among potential competitors, partners, suppliers and other vendors, treating each of these companies or individuals with fairness, integrity and without discrimination.
Competitor, partner, supplier relationships must be managed with good business practices and QTC Line is committed to seeking strong, mutually rewarding business relationships with companies and individuals who can enhance the quality of its services. The selection of partners and suppliers must be made on a basis of objective criteria, including quality, technical excellence, price, delivery, adherence to schedules, product or services suitability, maintenance of adequate sources of supply, as well as QTC Line's purchasing policies and procedures. Furthermore, all terms in contracts made with partners and suppliers should be adhered to at all times unless changes are mutually agreed otherwise.
QTC Line is committed to maintaining a working environment that is free of unlawful discrimination. In keeping with this commitment, QTC Line will not tolerate harassment of its staff, vendors, suppliers or business associates. Harassment consists of unwelcome conduct, whether verbal, physical or visual, that is based upon a person's protected status, such as race, color, region, sex, age, ancestry, national origin, disability, marital status or any other characteristics protected by law.
Sexual harassment consists of any sexual activities, verbal, physical violation or use of obscenities, initiated by one employee on another, and in doing so, creates distress or an intimidating hostile or offensive work environment. Employees must be aware that certain behavior can be deemed as harassment, even though it may be unintentional.
In addition, QTC Line prohibits workplace violence, some examples of which are not limited to include threats, intimidation, assaults, possession, distribution or usage of firearms, explosives, dangerous materials, other weapons, drugs or being under the influence of drugs while working in / for QTC Line.
If any employee believes that he / she or other person was harassed or threatened, he / she should report the incident to his / her superior or a representative from the Human Resource Department as soon as possible. The management shall then investigate such claim and take appropriate action accordingly. Every employee must refrain from any of such undesirable behavior.
This condition is deemed to be part of the employment contract for all staff. Any employee who violates this code will be subject to appropriate severe disciplinary action, without any exception, including termination of employment without any severance pay.
This policy also extend to cover employee's behavior towards business customers , contractors and / or suppliers.
Information on the QTC Line's activities, strategies and business data is proprietary in nature. Confidential information include amongst others, all non-public information that may be of use by our competitors, or is harmful to the QTC Line or our customers, if disclosed.
It is noted that there are occasions in which QTC Line's directors, management team , employees and secondees, are entrusted with information, documents and / or trade secrets of QTC Line or its customers, which similarly, should not be disclosed to outsiders. Maintaining such data confidentiality and trade secrets is of utmost importance to QTC Line's business as well as for the security of all QTC Line's customers, and employees' careers in QTC Line.
Therefore, it is the duty of all QTC Line's employees to maintain confidentiality of such information, documents and trade secrets entrusted to them at all times by QTC Line or its customers.
Effective use of corporate resources is critical to QTC Line's operations. For this purpose, QTC Line provide resources such as computer, telephones, copying machines, Internet access email connection, facsimile systems and etc. to staff for legitimate business activities and to support a positive, professional business climate. All staff are personally responsible for corporate assets placed in their care and control and are expected to use such resources and technology for business purposes.
8.1 E-mails and Internet All staff should exercise due care, diligence and etiquette in sending e-mail messages as in all other written or oral business QTC Line will not tolerate discriminatory, offensive, defamatory, pornographic and other similar type of message or materials sent by email or assess through Internet.
Employees should not abuse access to the Internet for personal purposes. QTC Line reserves the right to monitor and inspect without notice, all electronic communications, Internet usage or personal computers owned by QTC Line or computers on the premise used in the business of QTC Line. Any violation of the above may result in termination of Internet connection and disciplinary action at any time.
8.2 Information Access Only assigned personnel have the right to access data or program files, be it computer files, or any other form of files. Any attempt to access the files, review, copy, erase, destroy or change data, change passwords or any other acts that may cause damage, by staff who are not authorized to do so, is considered an offence, which may result in disciplinary action being taken.
8.3 Software As most computer software is protected by copyrights, QTC Line's policy is to respect copyrights and to strictly adhere to all relevant laws and regulations regarding the use and copying of computer software. Therefore, the unauthorized duplication, whether or not owned by QTC Line, is prohibited, even if the duplication is for business purposes or is of a limited duration.
8.4 Telecommunications equipment and office equipment
Telecommunications equipment and office equipment consists of telephones, facsimile machines, mobile phones, pagers, lease lines, copiers, scanners, shredders, binding machines and etc.
All staff are obligated to exercise reasonable care of such equipment entrusted to them and safeguard them against unauthorized use or removal as well as against loss by criminal act or breach of trust. The provision here of relating to protection of QTC Line's properties also apply to office equipment.
Health, safety, and environment responsibilities are fundamental to QTC Line's values. QTC Line seeks to comply with the provisions of health, safety and environment of the local laws, one of which, is the adherence to international conventions, such as the International Maritime Organization's codes in order to preserve the social and public environment.
QTC Line adheres to legal requirements concerning personal privacy in the work place. However, QTC Line reserves the right to access any information, including voice mails, electronic mails, stored on computer systems or peripherals or telecommunications equipment owned by QTC Line, or those under the rightful control of QTC Line or within its premises. QTC Line also reserves the right to change passwords, for the purpose of auditing, initiate investigation for searching of computer files , voice mails or electronic mails , as stated.
Perform duty with honesty, integrity and fairness, and avoid any acts that may be construed as otherwise. Employees:
11.1 must not use or permit others to use his / her job related authority, directly or indirectly, to seek personal benefits or benefits for others.
11.2 (including his / her family), must refrain from giving or accepting gifts, cash, services, or other benefits from any individuals doing, or seeking to do business with QTC Line, except on traditional events or occasions. However, this is permissible if the cost of such benefits is not substantial in value and the act itself is not construed as a bribe or kickback.
11.3 must abstain from being lavishly entertained by any individual doing or seeking to do business with QTC Line.
11.4 are prohibiting from disclosing or utilizing QTC Line's non-public information which could have an effect on QTC Line's share /stock price, with an intention of seeking profit or benefiting from the trading of or tipping others to trade in QTC Line shares / stock, directly or indirectly. (Please refer to Insider Trading posted in the QTC Line's website).
Protection for Employees Who Inform on or Disclose of Wrongful Conduct or Non-Compliance
12.1 Complaints or Information The corruption or any action that violates the laws, regulations or the Code of Conduct that affects the reputation, image, value, financial status of the Company or conflicts with the business operation policy and is related to high-ranking executives.
12.2 Channels of complaint or giving information
12.3 Procedure for Investigating Facts
12.4 Protection of the Complainant or Informant
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