Hill-Rom Global Code of Conduct

Q:
Alan has recently taken
over a number of supplier
accounts and is eager to
develop solid working relationships.
One supplier has invited Alan and
a few of his colleagues to attend a
sporting event with representatives
from the supplier. After receiving an
official invitation, Alan realizes that
the supplier has invited him to sit in
the supplier’s corporate box. Alan
does not want to offend the supplier
but feels uncomfortable about the
lavish nature of the corporate box.
Should Alan just go along?
A:
No. While attending occasional
events can be an excellent way
to establish goodwill between
our company and its business partners,
such events must not be lavish in
nature. Attending a sporting event in
an exclusive corporate box could create
— or appear to create — an obligation
on Hill-Rom’s part. Alan should politely
decline the invitation.
Hill-Rom Global Code of Conduct 26
Exchanging Business Courtesies
We must make objective business decisions based on the merits
and not because of inappropriate gifts or entertainment provided
by third parties.
Gifts
We may never offer or provide gifts to any customer, supplier,
distributor, vendor or other person with whom we do business
or seek to do business. As a common business courtesy, we may
accept occasional gifts, such as a coffee mug, as long as such
gift is nominal in value, could not be perceived as lavish, and is
not intended to improperly influence our business decisions.
Meals and Other Hospitality
We may accept occasional meals or hospitality from a customer,
supplier, distributor, vendor or other person with whom we do
business, as long as such meal or other hospitality is:
• Modest in value and not lavish;
• Provided in the course of a business relationship; and
• Not likely to be perceived as an attempt to improperly
influence a business decision.
For specific details on whether to accept certain gifts and other
business courtesies, please refer to our Policy on Exchanging
Business Courtesies. If you have any concerns about a specific
business courtesy, please seek guidance from your manager
or the Compliance Office.
November 2011
Suppliers
We select our suppliers based on price, quality, delivery, service,
diversity, reputation, and business practices. We rely on our
suppliers to provide quality products and services for our
company and our customers. It is critical that our suppliers
share our commitment to conducting business with integrity
and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
When selecting or dealing with a supplier or potential supplier,
we must:
• Engage in fair and open competition;
• Ensure suppliers are reputable and qualified;
• Ensure the engagement of a supplier does not create
an actual or apparent conflict of interest; and
• Evaluate and approve suppliers before any materials,
components, products or services are purchased from
them in accordance with company policy.
Hill-Rom Global Code of Conduct 27