1.  INTRODUCTION
Bartercard Australia Pty Ltd (“BCA”), its shareholders, directors, members, franchisees, employees and contractors (collectively, “the Parties”) will uphold the commitment to attaining and maintaining impeccable standards in the activities related to the operation of our Trade Exchange. The Parties will observe the highest levels of professional conduct in undertaking our business activities.

2.  PURPOSE OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT
The Parties are bound by a Code of Ethics and Conduct (“Code”). The objective of the Code is to ensure that:
• High standards of corporate and individual behaviour are observed by all Parties in the context of their involvement with and employment by BCA;
• The Parties are aware of their responsibilities to BCA under their contract of employment or Franchise Agreement; and
• All persons dealing with BCA whether it be employees, shareholders, suppliers, customers or competitors can be guided by the stated values and Policies of BCA.

3.  OBLIGATION TO COMPLY WITH CODE
The Parties will adhere to the BCA Code both in letter and in spirit. Adherence to the Code is a condition of involvement with BCA. Violation of the Code by the Parties, or unethical behaviour which may affect the reputation of BCA may be subject to disciplinary action including termination of employment.

4.  PRIMARY OBLIGATIONS OF CODE

4.1 Our Core Values and Beliefs are:

Trust
• The trait of believing in the honesty and reliability of others.
Integrity
• Integrity is the basing of one’s actions on an internally consistent framework of principles. The depth of principles and the adherence of each level are the key determining factors;
• Steadfast adherence to a strict personal, ethical and moral code;
• To act with integrity and transparency with respect to all business dealings.
Honesty
• Honesty is the human quality of communicating and acting truthfully related to truth as a value. This includes listening, and any action in the human repertoire – as well as speaking.
Respect
• Courteous regard for people’s feelings;
• Enabling people to work together in a complimentary fashion, instead of each person having to understand or even agree with each other every time;
• Regard for the rights of BCA’s shareholders, employees, franchisees, members and the general public.
Transparency
• Transparency, as used in the humanities, implies openness, communication, and accountability. It is a metaphorical extension of the meaning used in the physical sciences: a “transparent” object is one that can be seen through.

4.2 Our Core Values and Beliefs are based on the following Principles and Behaviours:

Acting with due skill, care and diligence in conducting their business
• We take ownership and hold ourselves accountable (for all of our actions);
• We acknowledge and rectify our mistakes;
• We take responsibility for the way that customers experience the organisation;
• We don’t have a Policy or procedure that we don’t take seriously;
• We consider the economic, social and environmental impacts of all our decisions;
• We ensure our decisions are implemented.

Preserving confidentiality at all times

Respecting the intellectual property rights of others

Protecting and promoting the integrity of the Bartercard Trade Exchange
• We promote flexibility and a ‘can do’ approach;
• We value speed, simplicity and efficient execution of our promises;
• We actively challenge and eliminate practices and Policies that don’t add value;
• We always look to do things better, generate new solutions and be more responsive;
• Decisions are made in a reasonable and consistent manner.

Avoiding and/or disclosing any real or perceived conflicts of interest

Being true to our word

Respecting the dignity of key players of the organisation, be they internal or external
• We actively share ideas and information across the organisation in order to capitalise on opportunities to achieve more for our stakeholders;
• We have no room for people who put their personal agendas ahead of the organisation and its customers;
• We value a diverse workforce and each employee’s unique contributions to the team;
• We actively support and ‘speak up’ for our colleagues, the organisation’s decisions and the communities we work with;
• We value speed, simplicity and efficient execution of our promises.

Never knowingly misleading or deceiving others
• We will be open and honest;
• We speak up and we are open to other points of view;
• We have candid and constructive conversations based on facts;
• We take time to explain issues and answer questions;
• We aim to ensure that there are no surprises.

Developing and maintaining an understanding of the ethical issues in their professional roles

Act Lawfully

We treat everyone with fairness and respect
• We actively promote the health and wellbeing of our employees with a balance between personal and work life.

5.  REPUTATION OF BCA
The Parties shall not do anything which would be likely to negatively affect BCA’s reputation.

6.  BCA’S RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE COMMUNITY
The Parties are committed to playing an active role in the betterment of the broader Australian community.

7.  CARE AND DILIGENCE
The Parties should exercise due care and diligence in the performance of their duties and responsibilities. This should include such activities as ensuring the accuracy of all decision-making information, attending to detail in all aspects of work, being mindful of the sensitivities of others, protecting confidentiality and being courteous, open and honest.

The products and services provided by the Parties will be of high quality. The Parties will deliver these products and services to its customers in a timely and equitable manner, and give customer satisfaction high priority. Where the quality of products and services provided by the Parties is not satisfactory to its customers, BCA will take prompt remedial action.

8.  CONFIDENTIALITY
The Parties will not breach BCA’s or its members confidentiality or make use of confidential information obtained from BCA for personal gain or ‘in a manner which would be detrimental to BCA.' Confidential information of BCA or its members will not be used except in ways which are authorised by BCA or legally mandated. The same applies to confidential information belonging to members or third parties which the Parties may obtain in the course of their duties.

The Parties acknowledge this need for confidentiality by signing a Confidentiality Deed upon commencement, and must not seek to obtain sensitive information which is not relevant to the performance of their duties.
BCA and its Franchisees will respect the confidentiality of their employees.

9.  FAIR DEALING
BCA and its Franchisees will comply with the Franchise Code of Conduct, the Deed of Management, Rules of the Trading Program, the Franchise Agreement and any variations thereto, as well as being subject to the normal commercial responsibilities such as Corporations Law and the Trade Practices Act and Anti Discrimination.
BCA and the Parties will comply with the content and spirit of all relevant laws and regulations concerning employment, such as anti-discrimination, equality of employment, health and safety. BCA will endeavour to ensure that all employees are treated fairly, equitably and honestly.

10.  USE OF COMPANY ASSETS
BCA assets and those of its Franchisees must be acquired, maintained and used in an efficient manner and for legitimate business purposes.

11.  PRIVACY
BCA’s Privacy Policy regulates the handling of any personal information that BCA collects. It contains detailed information on BCA’s functions and activities, and privacy issues and its Privacy Policy provisions.

12.  OTHER POLICIES REGULATING EMPLOYEE BEHAVIOUR
BCA expects the Parties to comply with a range of Policies as amended from time to time:
• Equal Employment Opportunity;
• IT Policy;
• Dress Code Policy;
• Recruitment & Selection Policy;
• Workplace Health & Safety;
• Grievance Policy;
• Remuneration Policy;
• Performance Management Policy; and
• Separation Policy.

13.  MONITORING COMPLIANCE WITH THE CODE
BCA Corporate Governance Committee monitors compliance with this Code.

14.  REPORTING VIOLATIONS OF THE CODE OR OTHER UNETHICAL CONDUCT
All Parties are required to report violations of the Code using conflict escalation procedures set out in the Operations Manual or Employee Orientation Handbook. The procedures provide for a staged escalation and provide ultimately for the Managing Director and the Chairman of the Corporate Governance Committee to become involved. The Policy underlying the procedures is to ensure Parties are not disadvantaged in any way for reporting violations of the Code or other unethical conduct, that the matter is dealt with promptly and fairly and that the procedures are not used maliciously or mischievously.

BCA confirms that at no time shall a person who reports a violation, raises an issue or concern, or makes a complaint, be victimised for doing so. All Parties agree to utilise the reporting system for legitimate and valid concerns only.

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For more information on how Bartercard can benefit your business, please contact Bartercard today on
1300 BARTER (1300 227 837) or Click Here to Register Online.