Attached files
file | filename |
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10-K - FORM 10-K - CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES CORP | c97091e10vk.htm |
EX-10.24 - EXHIBIT 10.24 - CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES CORP | c97091exv10w24.htm |
EX-12 - EXHIBIT 12 - CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES CORP | c97091exv12.htm |
EX-21 - EXHIBIT 21 - CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES CORP | c97091exv21.htm |
EX-23.1 - EXHIBIT 23.1 - CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES CORP | c97091exv23w1.htm |
EX-14.1 - EXHIBIT 14.1 - CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES CORP | c97091exv14w1.htm |
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES CORP | c97091exv31w1.htm |
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES CORP | c97091exv32w1.htm |
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES CORP | c97091exv32w2.htm |
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES CORP | c97091exv31w2.htm |
EX-10.25 - EXHIBIT 10.25 - CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES CORP | c97091exv10w25.htm |
Exhibit 14.2
BUSINESS CODE OF ETHICS AND CONDUCT
Adopted February 24, 2010
Adopted February 24, 2010
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (Chesapeake) is committed to conducting its business in
compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations and in accordance with the highest
ethical standards. In furtherance of this commitment, the Board of Directors of Chesapeake has
adopted this Business Code of Ethics and Conduct (the Code of Ethics) setting forth the
principles that govern the conduct of all employees, officers and directors of Chesapeake and its
subsidiaries (collectively, the Company).
As used herein, Company official shall mean any officer of the Company. Some provisions of
this Code of Ethics also extend to the family members of employees, officers, directors, or
nominees for director. For this purpose, the term family member shall mean any child, stepchild,
grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law,
daughter-in-law, son-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, and any person (other than a tenant
or employee) sharing the household of any director, nominee for director, or officer of the
Company. These associations include adoptive relationships.
I. Compliance with Laws, Rules, Regulations, Policies and Procedures
Each employee, officer and director is expected to understand and comply with both the letter
and intent of all governmental laws, rules and regulations and with all Company policies and
procedures that apply to matters for which he or she is responsible. All employees and officers
are expected to participate in compliance training and information sessions when offered by the
Company. Any employee or officer who is uncertain as to the meaning or interpretation of any law,
rule, regulation, policy or procedure, or its application to his or her responsibilities, is
expected to seek advice from a supervisor, manager or other appropriate Company official.
II. Conflicts of Interest
In carrying out their responsibilities, all employees, officers and directors have a duty
always to act in the best interests of the Company. The ability of an employee, officer or
director to fulfill this obligation can be compromised if a conflict exists between his or her
personal interests and the interests of the Company. In general, a conflict of interest can arise
whenever the personal interests of an employee, officer or director in a matter (financial or
otherwise) would make it difficult for the individual to perform his or her Company
responsibilities objectively. Even where the outcome of the matter is on terms that are entirely
fair to the Company, the existence of a conflict of interest can create an appearance of
impropriety.
While it is not possible to list all of the situations that could present a conflict of
interest, examples include:
| Ownership of a financial interest (other than, in the case of a public company,
the ownership of less than a one percent equity interest) in any business or other
enterprise that does business (whether as a supplier, customer or otherwise), or is
seeking to do business, with the Company. |
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| Serving as a director, officer or partner of, or in any other managerial role with
respect to, or as a consultant to, any business or other enterprise that does business
(whether as a supplier, customer or otherwise), or is seeking to do business, with the
Company. |
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| Ownership of a financial interest in (other than, in the case of a public company,
the ownership of less than a one percent equity interest), or serving as a director,
officer or partner of, or in any other managerial role with respect to, or as a
consultant to, any competitor of the Company. |
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| Acting as a broker, finder or other intermediary for the benefit of a third party
in any transaction involving the Company. |
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| Any situation where the employee, officer or director will receive any payment of
money, services, loan, guarantee or any other personal benefits from a third party in
anticipation of or as a result of any transaction or business relationship between the
Company and the third party. |
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| Taking a public position or making public statements contrary to the best interests
of the Company or that could result in embarrassment to the Company. |
A conflict also can exist where the person doing business, or seeking to do business with the
Company is a family member of an employee, officer or director. However, the acquisition or use by
an employee, officer or director of the Company of products or services obtained from the Company
in the ordinary course of the Companys business will not represent a conflict of interest.
All employees and officers are encouraged to avoid relationships that have the potential for
creating an actual conflict of interest or a perception of a conflict of interest. Employees and
officers must be free of any conflict of interest whenever they act on behalf of the Company,
including engaging in negotiations or recommending or approving a transaction, arrangement or
relationship with an existing or potential customer, supplier, lender or investor. Any officer who
has a conflict of interest with respect to any matter is required to make prompt and full
disclosure of the matter to the Chief Executive Officer or, in the case of the Chief Executive
Officer, to the Audit Committee. All other employees are required to make prompt and full
disclosure of any conflict of interest to the Director of Internal Audit. No employee or officer
is permitted to participate in any matter in which he or she has a conflict of interest unless
authorized by an appropriate Company official and under circumstances that are designed to protect
the interests of the Company and to avoid any appearance of impropriety.
Any officer who has a question as to whether a given situation or relationship might represent
a conflict of interest is required to consult with the Chief Executive Officer. Any other employee
who has a question as to whether a situation or relationship might constitute a conflict is
required to consult with the Director of Internal Audit.
Directors are required to disclose any conflict of interest to the Chairman of the Board of
Directors and to refrain from voting on any matter(s) in which they have a conflict.
III. Corporate Opportunities
All business opportunities that are within the existing or reasonably foreseeable scope of the
Companys business, including planned business ventures, are the property of the Company. Without
the prior consent of the Board of Directors, employees, officers and directors are prohibited from:
| Taking for themselves personally opportunities that they discovered through the use
of Company property or information or through their position with the Company; |
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| Using property or information of the Company or their position with the Company for
personal gain; or |
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| Engaging in any business in competition with the Company. |
IV. Confidentiality
Employees, officers, directors and director nominees are required to maintain the
confidentiality of, and not use for personal benefit, confidential information entrusted to them by
the Company, its customers or its suppliers, or otherwise acquired in the course of their
employment by or service to the Company. Disclosure or use of confidential information is permitted
only for a proper business purpose and when specifically authorized by an appropriate Company
official or as required by law or legal proceedings. Confidential information includes all
information protected by law or by an agreement between the Company and a third party, as well as
other non-public information that, if disclosed, might be harmful to the Company or useful to
competitors, including but not limited to:
| Trade secrets and other proprietary technical information or data. |
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| Undisclosed financial and accounting information. |
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| Strategic information concerning current and future business plans. |
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| Pricing information. |
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| Customer records. |
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| Employee personnel records (e.g., job applications, resumes, performance
evaluations and records, compensation information, notices regarding performance,
termination notices, etc.). |
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| Research information and records. |
All employees, officers and directors are required to sign a confidentiality statement.
These confidentiality and non-use restrictions continue beyond termination of service for
directors, and termination of employment for employees and officers. Upon termination, employees,
officers and directors are not permitted to take, copy or retain any records or documents of the
Company.
V. Proper Accounting for Company Transactions
The maintenance of accurate financial and accounting records is essential in order to enable
the Company to comply with the requirements of the federal securities laws and with its obligations
to its shareholders.
A. Maintenance of Accurate Records
All Company assets and liabilities and all items of revenue and expense shall be properly
recorded in the Companys regular books and records in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. All employees and officers who are responsible for the recording or
reporting of Company property, assets, liabilities, transactions and other activities are required
to provide full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable recording or reporting thereof. Without
limitation of the foregoing:
| No undisclosed or unrecorded fund or asset of the Company shall be established or
maintained for any purpose. |
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| No employee or officer of the Company shall intentionally conceal or fail to record
or report any matter that is required to be recorded or reported. |
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| No employee or officer of the Company shall improperly record or report any matter,
or improperly alter any record or report of any matter. |
B. Documentation of Disbursement of Funds
No payment or other disbursement of Company funds shall be made without proper authorization.
No approval shall be granted for the payment or other disbursement of Company funds without
adequate supporting documentation. No payment on behalf of the Company shall be approved or made
with the intention or understanding that any part of such payment is to be used for a purpose other
than that described by the documents supporting the payment.
VI. Improper Payments and Gifts to Third Parties
A. Improper Payments and Gifts.
Except for permitted gifts (as described below), neither the Company nor any employee, officer
or director shall, either directly or indirectly, authorize or make any payment or gift of money or
any other thing of value (including materials, equipment, facilities or services) to any:
| Current or prospective customer, supplier or competitor of the Company or to
government officials; or |
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| Any director, officer, employee, general partner, stockholder or owner of a current
or prospective customer, supplier or competitor,
if the purpose of the payment or the gift is to induce the current or prospective customer,
supplier, competitor or government official improperly to grant or convey any benefit to, or forgo
any claim against, the Company or any of its employees, officers or directors, or otherwise to
influence a business or other decision of the current or prospective customer, supplier, competitor
or government official. |
B. Permitted Gifts
An employee, officer or director may make gifts, generally in the form of meals, entertainment
or specialty advertising items, to Company customers, suppliers or other third parties engaged, or
that may become engaged, in business with the Company if the gift meets all of the following
criteria:
| It is consistent with customary business practices; |
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| It is not for an improper purpose; |
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| It is not in contravention of any applicable laws, rules, regulations or ethical
standards; and |
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| Public disclosure of the full details of the gift would not cause embarrassment to
the Company. |
VII. Acceptance of Gifts or Other Personal Benefits
No employee, officer or director shall solicit from any supplier, customer or other person
doing business, or seeking to do business, with the Company any gift of money, products or
services, gratuity, loans or guarantees, or other personal benefits of any kind.
An employee, officer or director, including their family members, may accept an unsolicited
gift or gratuity of nominal value or reasonable business entertainment (including recreation and
attendance of sporting or cultural events) if the gift or gratuity meets all of the following
criteria:
| It does not go beyond common courtesies usually associated with accepted business
practices; |
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| It does not interfere with the recipients independence or judgment in carrying out
his or her responsibilities on behalf of the Company; and |
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| Public disclosure of the full details of the gift or gratuity would not cause
embarrassment to the Company. |
Any gifts or gratuity that do not meet these requirements must to the extent possible
be returned.
VIII. Relationships with Customers
When dealing with customers, the Company is committed to:
| Providing all customers with exceptional service; |
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| Dealing fairly and ethically with all customers and treating customers with respect; |
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| Providing customers with accurate and clear information regarding the services
offered by the Company; and |
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| Investigating promptly and resolving on fair terms all customer complaints and
inquiries. |
Each employee, officer and director has a responsibility to use his or her best efforts to
ensure that these objectives are attained. The Company prohibits manipulation, misrepresentation of
facts, and other forms of unfair dealing with customers.
IX. Relationships with Suppliers
When dealing with suppliers of products and services to the Company, all employees, officers
and directors are required at all times to act in the best interests of the Company, while at the
same time adhering to the highest standards of ethical conduct. All unlawful behavior,
manipulation, misrepresentation of facts, or any other forms of unfair dealing are prohibited.
X. Fair Competition
The Company is committed to fair and honest competition. The Company seeks to achieve its
competitive advantage through competitive prices, products and services, and not through illegal or
unethical business practices. All employees, officers and directors are required to adhere to all
laws and regulations regarding fair competition, including antitrust laws. Misappropriation of
trade secrets or other proprietary information, manipulation, misrepresentation of facts and all
other forms of unfair dealing are prohibited.
XI. Relationships with Employees
All employees and officers are entitled to work in an environment free of discrimination and
harassment, therefore the Company strives to provide each employee and officer with a workplace
that is free from unlawful discrimination or harassment. It is the policy of the Company to
provide equal employment opportunity to qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, gender,
national origin, age, or their status as disabled veterans or as disabled individuals. Equal
opportunity applies to all aspects of the employment relationship, including initial employment,
promotion, training, wage and salary administration, seniority, retirement, and employee benefits.
XII. Protection and Proper Use of Company Assets
Proper protection and proper use of Company assets is the responsibility of each employee,
officer and director. Employees, officers and directors are required to promote the efficient use
of Company assets and to take appropriate security measures to safeguard physical property and
other assets against unauthorized use or removal, as well as against loss by wrongful acts or
negligence. Employees, officers and directors may use Company property only for legitimate
business purposes and strictly in accordance with established Company policies and guidelines.
XIII. Insider Trading
All employees, officers and directors are required to adhere to the Companys policy entitled
Securities Trades by Company Personnel, which governs trading by employees, officers and
directors in Chesapeake stock.
XIV. Political Activities
Employees, officers and directors are free to participate in lawful political activities on
their own time and at their own expense, and to make personal contributions to political parties,
committees or candidates of their choice. However, under no circumstances shall an employee,
officer or director use Company facilities or assets, or be compensated or reimbursed by the
Company, for their personal political activities or contributions.
While employees and officers are encouraged to participate in civic and community activities
during their non-work hours, an employees or officers determination to seek elected or appointed
public office, including membership on a public board or commission (public office), raises
special concerns. Because the Companys business frequently interfaces with many government
branches, employees, officers and directors would have a responsibility to disqualify themselves
from any action in which they know the Company has an interest. In addition, care must be taken
that campaigning for office or fulfilling public responsibilities is not done during work hours.
Accordingly, any employee or officer who wishes to seek or accept public office must provide the
Director of Internal Audit with reasonable advance notice of that intent. In certain cases,
depending on the nature of the office and other surrounding circumstances, the Company may decide
that the employee or officer should not seek or accept such office while remaining in the Companys
employment without a determination by the Companys Chief Executive Officer (or in the case of the
Chief Executive Officer, the Board of Directors) that such activities will be consistent with
Company policies and applicable laws and standards.
XV. Compliance Procedures
A. Distribution of this Code of Ethics
A copy of this Code of Ethics shall be furnished to each employee, officer and director of the
Company and shall be posted on the Companys website (www.chpk.com). Company officers are required
to ensure that all Company personnel in the departments for which they are responsible receive a
copy.
Any employee who has a question concerning the interpretation or application of any provision
of this Code of Ethics should consult his or her immediate manager, who may, if necessary, refer
the question to the Director of Internal Audit or an appropriate Company official. Alternatively,
any employee, officer or director may contact the Director of Internal Audit directly.
B. Reporting Violations
Any employee or officer who has knowledge of a violation by the Company or any employee,
officer or director of any law, rule or regulation or this Code of Ethics, or suspects that such a
violation has occurred, is required to report the matter to an independent third party via a
dedicated toll-free hotline or a secure website, or in written form directly to the Director of
Internal Audit in accordance with the process set forth on the Companys website (www.chpk.com).
All valid concerns will be investigated under the direction of the Chairman of the Audit Committee.
The Company will make every effort, within the limits allowed by law, to keep confidential the
identity of anyone requesting guidance or reporting a violation or suspected violation. However, it
may not be possible to maintain the confidentiality of the reported person or the reported
information if (i) disclosure is necessary to enable the Company or law enforcement officials to
investigate the matter, (ii) disclosure is required by law or (iii) the person accused of a
violation is entitled to the information as a matter of legal right. All employees, officers and
directors are expected to cooperate, to the extent requested, in any investigation of any violation
of any law, rule or regulation or this Code of Ethics.
No adverse action will be taken against any person who in good faith reports a violation, or a
suspected violation, by the Company, or any employee, officer or director of any law, rule or
regulation or this Code of Ethics. Any such retaliation is also a violation of this Code of Ethics
and will be grounds for disciplinary action against the person or persons who engage in
retaliation. Any employee, officer or director who believes that he or she has been retaliated
against may file a complaint with the Director of Internal Audit, who shall be responsible for the
investigation of the matter.
C. Violations
Any employee, officer or director who fails to comply with any applicable law, rule, or
regulation or with this Code of Ethics is subject to disciplinary action, which could include,
without limitation, a reprimand, probation, suspension, reduction in salary, demotion or dismissal
depending upon the seriousness of the offense.
XVI. Amendments and Waivers
The Board of Directors must approve any amendment to this Code of Ethics. No waivers or exceptions
to this Code of Ethics are anticipated; however, any waiver of any provision to this Code of Ethics
for employees, other than executive officers, requires the approval of the Chief Executive Officer.
Any waiver involving an executive officer or director requires the approval of the Board of
Directors or a designated Board Committee and must be promptly disclosed to shareholders within
four business days of such determination in a press release, by website disclosure, or by filing a
current report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission.