Corporate Governance
Life Balance Technologies performs at the highest possible standards of ethical business conduct. We set our standards extremely high so that our customers are at ease when they enter the building, and so our employers and partners feel proud to be part of the effort to protect the public.
Life is too short to cut corners on ethics or credibility.
Respect for each other is the foundation to our success, because controlling airborne infection risks requires a talented and dedicated team. Our team members have a personal responsibility to understand and incorporate the Code of Conduct into our work. If you as a customer feel that an individual or the whole company is not meeting our standards, we want to hear from you. Pronto. We have a simple corporate structure and we do not need committees or task studies to fix a problem.
We expect all employees and partners to follow our Code of Conduct. Failure to follow the Code of Conduct will probably result in terminating your relationship with the company.
If you have a question or concern, you can always raise it through our Ethics helpline.
No Retaliation
Life Balance Technologies prohibits retaliation against any worker or partner who reports or participates in an investigation of a possible violation of our Code, policies, or the law. If you believe you are being retaliated against, please contact us.
Character
We believe that our credibility is our most valuable asset, but it takes a team effort to continually earn that trust. We are committed to respecting and protecting the privacy and security of our customers and employees. Our security procedures strictly limit access to and use of customer information.
Equal Opportunity Employment
Employment at Life Balance is based solely upon individual merit and qualifications related to professional competence. We strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, veteran status, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy status, sex, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected by law. We also make all reasonable accommodations to meet our obligations under laws protecting the rights of the disabled.
Harassment, Discrimination, and Bullying
Life Balance Technologies prohibits discrimination, harassment and bullying in any form – verbal, physical, or visual, as discussed more fully in our Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation. If you feel you’ve been bullied or harassed by anyone at Life Balance Technologies, or a partner or vendor or customer, we strongly encourage you to immediately report the incident through our Ethics helpline.
Drugs and Alcohol
Our position on substance abuse is simple: we have a no tolerance policy because it is incompatible with the health and safety of our employees.
Consumption of alcohol or the use of legal or illegal drugs is not allowed in our offices or in our customers’ facilities. If we suspect an employee’s use of drugs and/or alcohol may adversely affect the employee’s job performance or the safety of the employee or others in the workplace, we may request an alcohol and/or drug screening.
Safe Workplace
We are committed to a violence-free work environment, and we will not tolerate any level of violence or the threat of violence in the workplace. Do not under any circumstances bring a weapon to work.
Conflict of Interest
If you find yourself in a situation in which competing loyalties offer a personal benefit for you, your friends, or your family at the expense of Life Balance Technologies, you probably have created a conflict of interest. If it is a “gray” issue, just don’t do it. Talk to your manager to determine whether it is a conflict. We are a small organization so we do not have the latitude to try to smooth over bad “optics” that conflicts of interest usually create.
Gifts, Entertainment, and Other Perks
Accepting gifts, entertainment, and other perks from a customer or business partner is a slippery slope, especially if it happens frequently and the value is significant. Generally, acceptance of inexpensive gifts is permissible. Infrequent and moderate business meals and entertainment with clients, invitations to sporting events, and meals with clients can be appropriate provided that they aren’t excessive and don’t create the appearance of impropriety.
Confidential Information
All customer, employee and partner information is usually classified as “Confidential” and we should handle it in accordance with our Data Security Policy. If a project requires us to disclose the confidential information to an outside party, the disclosure of that information should be on an “only as needed” basis and only under a non-disclosure agreement. In addition, it may require a prior security assessment of the outside party that is to receive the confidential information.
Our Partners
It is equally important not to disclose any confidential information from our partners. Under any circumstances accept confidential information from other companies without first having all parties sign an appropriate Non-disclosure Agreement approved by our legal advisors. Even after the agreement is signed, try only to accept as much information as you need to accomplish your business objectives.
Outside Communications
Be extremely careful about disclosing confidential or proprietary information and ensure that all communication, including online and social media posts, follow the Code of Conduct, because your posts could be construed as a statement for the company. You should never disclose confidential proprietary information. You are not authorized to speak on behalf of the company unless you are actually authorized by the appropriate executive team member. The same applies to accepting any public speaking engagement on behalf of the company.
Intellectual Property
We are proud of our intellectual property rights (our trademarks, trade secrets, “know-how”, etc.), and the company’s founders have spent years developing it, so these are the second most valuable asset (our people will always be our most important asset). Unauthorized use of the IP can lead to their loss or serious loss of value. You must never use Life Balance Technologies logos, marks, or other protected information or property for any business or commercial venture without pre-clearance. We strongly encourage you to report any suspected misuse of trademarks, logos, or other intellectual property to our legal advisor.
Use of Life Balance Technologies Assets and Network
Anything you do using Life Balance Technologies networks, email, computers, mobile devices, etc. may be monitored by people inside and outside the company. We have the right to monitor, access, and disclose employee communications and other information on our corporate electronic facilities or on our premises when there is a compelling business need, such as protecting employees and customers, maintaining the security of resources and property, or investigating suspected employee misconduct.
Obey the Law
Life Balance Technologies takes its responsibility to comply with all laws and regulations very seriously. Each of us is also expected to comply with applicable legal requirements and prohibitions. It isn’t possible for anyone to be an expert in every applicable law, but you should understand the major laws and regulations that apply to your work. We are a small organization, and given that our hospitals are heavily regulated, we expect you to have common sense in your work. If you do not understand the requirements in your job, talk to your manager.
We will never tolerate any form or appearance of bribery. The rule is simple – if we determine that you have committed or tried to bribe anybody, anytime, for any reason, you will be terminated and we will pass the information to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
Offering gifts, entertainment, or other business courtesies that could be perceived as bribes becomes especially problematic if you’re dealing with a government official. This not only includes traditional gifts, but also things like meals, travel, political or charitable contributions, and job offers for government officials’ relatives. Never give gifts to thank government officials for doing their jobs.
The U.S. also has strict rules that severely limit the ability of a company or its employees to give gifts and business courtesies to a U.S. government official and limits the official’s ability to accept such gifts. The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act prohibits giving any gifts, including travel and other courtesies, unless they fit within specific exceptions. Gifts to employees of the federal government are also regulated and subject to limits. Finally, state and local government officials in the U.S. are also subject to additional legal restrictions.
So before offering any gifts or business courtesies to a U.S. or other government official, you should consult our Ethics policy. Carefully follow the limits and prohibitions described there and obtain any required pre-approvals.
Conclusion
Life Balance Technologies wasn’t created to be just another healthcare software company with a clever gadget or a slick graphic tool. We are serious about our cause, which is eliminating the risk of airborne infections. Because we are a small organization, we rely on one another’s good judgment to uphold a high standard of integrity for ourselves and our company. We expect you to talk the talk and walk the walk. If you have questions about our policies, don’t be afraid to speak up or ask your manager.