Chairman/General Manager’s Note to SMLC’s Employees
Dear Employees,
We present to you our most valuable document being the Code of Conduct Booklet that includes the Values Statement and the Pledge of Conduct. Together, they clarify what we stand for and the rules we live by. While they are not a substitute for individual responsibility and good judgment, they help us in making decisions about how we work and what we do.
Our Values Statement reflects our aspirations – the kind of company we want SMLC to be. Our Code of Conduct provides the operating principles that help us live to those values. Our Values Statement and Code of Conduct apply to every SMLC employee. They apply to every business transaction that we execute. They summarize our work standards that are based on ethics, integrity and free competition.
We will abide and execute the Values Statement and the Pledge of Conduct and will not accept any excuses or exceptions or undervaluing for any reason and under any whatsoever condition.
Please read this document carefully a take the necessary time to understand what they mean and the need to abide by them.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Engineer Walid Assaf
Chairman/General Manager
SMLC’s Mission:
To make, sell and deliver World Class profitable brands that satisfy our consumers and customers refreshment beverage need. The preferred choice by our customers and consumers.
The Company’s success in delivering its mission relies on providing quality and value to our consumers and customers – provide safe products, healthy, economically effective and environmentally safe. To execute this mission, we have to offer the best business-working environment to enable us to attract the best calibers, to develop their potentials, to develop their efforts and encourage the close cross-functional collaboration of members to ensure that work is efficiently executed. We strive to preserve the history of Societe Moderne Libanaise pour le Commerce SAL in commending the highest norms of honesty, fairness and integrity.
Respect for Our Employees:
The most important strength at SMLC is our employees. We seek to provide a work environment where all employees have the opportunity to reach their full potential and contribute to SMLC’s success.
SMLC is committed to provide a work place free from all forms of discrimination and to provide all equal employment opportunities for all applicants
Customers, Suppliers & Competitors:
We are committed to the continuation of free enterprise in an open economy. Therefore, we recognize the importance of laws that prohibit restraints of trade, predatory economic activities and unfair or unethical business activities.
In all of its business dealings with suppliers, customers and competitors, SMLC will:
- Compete vigorously and with integrity.
- Deal with suppliers, customers and competitors honestly, fairly and objectively.
- Avoid any unfair or deceptive practice and always present our services and products in an honest and straightforward manner.
- Never declare negative statements regarding the competitor with customers
- Never comment on a competitor’s products without a good basis or need for such statements.
- Make clear to all suppliers that we expect them to compete fairly and dynamically. We will select our supplier’s strictly on merit.
- Comply with all commercial and competitive prevailing laws.
Business Gifts and Payments:
Our business decisions are based on merit. Therefore, we will never give or offer, directly or indirectly, presents destined to influence any discretionary decision. However, we may offer sample products to potential business clients and in support of charity events and organizations. We may also offer customers, vendors and partners gifts not exceeding a value of US$ 100 after the written approval of the Department’s Director has been granted. Any gift in excess of US$ 100 requires the written approval of Chairman/GM or EAGM.
Our employees are not allowed to accept a present, loan, special favor, money or whatsoever special treatment from any person or company dealing, or seeking to deal with us, or from any competing company unless if:
- It would be consistent with good business practices.
- It could not be considered a business inducement.
- It is of nominal value (below US$ 25).
- Public disclosure of the transaction would not embarrass SMLC.
All business related gifts need to be reported to the immediate supervisor as soon as they are received, even if it is of nominal value.
Safety and Environment:
SMLC is committed to providing a safe and health work environment at all its facilities for all employees, clients, visitors, contractors and vendors. SMLC seeks to be environment friendly. It is our policy to comply with all laws and regulations, environmental, security and health applicable measures in the country.
We are dedicated to designing, constructing, maintaining and operating facilities that protect our people and physical resources. It is our policy to comply with all applicable health and safety laws and regulations, provide and require the use of adequate protective equipment and measures, and insist that work done in a safe and responsible manner. It is the responsibility of each employee to follow all company policies and procedures related to work place health and safety.
SMLC is committed to being an environmentally responsible corporate citizen. We are committed to minimizing the impact of our businesses on the environment and methods that are socially responsible, scientifically based and economically sound. We encourage conservation, recycling and energy use programs that promote clean air and water and reduce landfill wastes.
Political and Community Activities and Contributions:
SMLC believes in contributing to society and encourages employees to participate in community activities.
We will continue to support issues related to our industry and communicate our opinion to officials to improve execution of the company’s mission.
We consider that employees partaking in their own time, outside working hours, or their personal funds in any political or social endeavor, are a personal and voluntary decision and accordingly do not commit the company in any liability whatsoever. Employee’s participation, after working hours, should not affect his / her work or his / her relations with coworkers or supervisors.
Conflict of Interest:
SMLC’s conflicts of interest policy is straightforward: Do not compete with SMLC’s businesses, and never let your business dealings on behalf of any of our businesses be influenced, or appear to be influenced, by personal or family interests.
All actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships must be handled honestly and ethically. Examples of conflicts that must be disclosed and resolved include:
- Having a family interest in a transaction with the Company. A family interest would include any interests of your spouse, parents, child, sibling or domestic partner.
- Having more than a nominal individual or family interests in a competitor, supplier or customer of the Company (for example, ownership of shares in a supplier’s company).
- Having a significant individual or family interest in an organization that does, or seeks to do, business with the Company.
- Acquiring an individual or family interest in property (such as real estate, patent rights, securities or other properties) or a business where you believe the Company, has, or might have, an interest.
- Having outside business interests or activities that affect job performance because of the significant amount of time and attention diverted from your responsibilities as a Company employee.
Accounts and Record Keeping:
Our books must reflect all components of record and financial transactions as per local laws and regulations and in accordance to international accounting standards.
It is the responsibility of each employee to uphold these standards. Appropriate records must be kept of all transactions and retained based on the applicable data retention schedules. Employees are expected to cooperate fully with internal and external auditors. Information must not be falsified or concealed under any circumstance, and an employee whose activities cause false financial reporting will be subject to disciplinary action, including discharge.
Electronic Email, Internet and Intranet:
The systems of electronic email, internet and intranet are solely to be used in conjunction with business requirements. It is not acceptable to receive or remit personal emails that do not relate to business.
The Company safeguards all received and remitted emails using Company’s address. Your messages might be monitored, and you could be asked to declare their contents in cases of judicial investigation or any other inquiry.
Declaration:
Each employee accepts the responsibility in adhering to the Code of Conduct as stated in this booklet. Each employee will immediately declare to his immediate supervisor on any personal status or operation that contradicts, or might contradict, with the objective or spirit of the Code of Conduct. The immediate supervisor needs to forward this declaration to Human Resources Department for the final decision.
Download code of conduct document (English version)
Download code of conduct document (Arabic version)
