Code of Business Ethics/ Corporate Governance
1) Introduction to Code of Business Ethics/ Corporate Governance
The Novitious Code of Business Ethics (“this Code”) expresses our unwavering commitment to the highest ethical standards. This Code, which incorporates important guiding concepts, establishes the minimal standards of behavior for all Novitious employees.
This Code applies to all directors, officials, and employees (both permanent and temporary). Furthermore, we should continue to verify that directors, officers, employees, and third parties (e.g., vendors, suppliers, Stockiest, distributors) doing business on Novitious’s behalf understand and follow the Code.
All applicable rules and regulations of any nation where we operate should be followed in our professional behavior.
2) Bribery and Corruption
Any benefit or thing of value given to influence behavior is considered a bribe. A bribe is defined as delivering, proposing to provide, or offering a bribe. Receiving, proposing to receive, or demanding a bribe is referred to as taking a bribe. Giving or accepting a bribe might immediately harm our business and image, which we have created through our joint devotion and hard work. It can also result in civil and criminal accusations, with consequences such as fines and imprisonment. We must avoid even giving the impression that the Company would pay a bribe to achieve or maintain a competitive advantage.
3) Human Rights and Labor Standards
Human rights and labor standards are essential considerations for any company for Novitious. These standards help ensure that the rights and well-being of employees, as well as the communities in which we operate, are respected and protected. Here are some key points regarding human rights and labor standards for pharmaceutical companies:
Fair and Safe Working Conditions: We provide fair and safe working conditions for our employees. This includes ensuring a healthy and safe workplace, fair wages, reasonable working hours, and protection against discrimination and harassment.
Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity: We promote diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity in all aspects of their employment practices. Discrimination based on race, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic should be strictly prohibited.
Ethical Supply Chain Management: We actively monitor supply chains to ensure that our suppliers also adhere to human rights and labor standards. This includes assessing suppliers’ compliance, conducting audits, and working collaboratively to address any violations.
Transparency and Reporting: We maintain transparency regarding all human rights and labor practices. We regularly report on their efforts, progress, and challenges in meeting these standards.
4) Discrimination and Harassment
Employees achieve their greatest professional and personal success in an environment where all participants feel included, respected, and appreciated. We enable employees to reach their full potential by providing a fair, open, and collaborative workplace free of all types of discrimination and harassment.
We work hard to attract, retain, and develop top individuals from all backgrounds and experiences, reflecting the rising diversity of the communities we serve. Our dedication to fair employment practices is reflected in all elements of our employment practices (e.g., recruiting and hiring, work assignment, performance evaluations, promotions, and transfers). We act with decency and care towards one another, encouraging respectful interactions among ourselves. Harassment of any type is absolutely prohibited and will not be tolerated.
5) Diversity and Inclusion
As an innovative firm, we actively seek unique solutions through our varied and dynamic staff, which inspires outside-the-box thinking. Our personnel bring their diverse cultures, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to the workplace. We aspire for an inclusive culture that embraces, celebrates, and integrates everyone’s uniqueness.
6) Privacy and Confidentiality
We have a responsibility to protect the confidentiality of information entrusted to us not only by the Company, but also by employees, contactors, suppliers, vendors, customers, and anyone involved in our operation. Confidential or proprietary information gained as a result of employment with the Company or supplying services to the Company must be kept strictly confidential and used only for legitimate business purposes. Even when employment or a contractual arrangement has ended, the need to keep secret information persists. When disposing of papers containing sensitive or proprietary information, exercise extreme caution.
7) Reporting Concerns (Speaking Up)
We encourage everyone to ask questions and raise concerns by offering reporting methods and venues. When in question about the appropriate course of action, err on the side of seeking advice and consult your immediate supervisor first. If your query is still unanswered, we recommend that you contact your local Legal/Compliance/Human Resources Department or any other subject matter specialists.We also urge you to report any violations of the law, this Code, or internal Company rules and processes as soon as possible. We will analyze the situation as soon as possible and, if required, take appropriate action.