Code of Conduct (CoC)

Introduction

This Code of Conduct (CoC) is based on a mutual, basic understanding of social responsibility in corporate management. WISEGROUP reputation and the confidence of our customers, employees and business partners depend on the behavior of each individual working for the WISEGROUP Companies.

This CoC provides minimum binding standards for all WISEGROUP employees and business partners worldwide. It is intended to offer support in meeting the legal and ethical challenges of our daily work, as well as to provide guidance for action. This CoC is based on the UN Global Compact and Guidance on Social Responsibilities in accordance with ISO 26000.

Scope

This CoC applies to WISEGROUP, including WISEGROUP HQ, its Divisions WiseCourses, WisePlant, and WiseSecurity, WISEGROUP family companies and WISEGROUP Business Partners.

Within the scope of its abilities and areas of activity, WISEGROUP commits to promoting adherence to the content of this CoC among its suppliers along all parts of the value chain.

Core Values for Social Responsibility in Corp. Mgmt.

WISEGROUP will act to ensure that the values and principles mentioned below are put into practice and adhered to sustainability.

Compliance with the Laws

Compliance with the country specific laws is a matter of course for WISEGROUP. In addition to the internal directives and guidelines, each employee and related partner must follow the laws and regulations applying in her or his working environment.

Customers and Suppliers Relationships

WISEGROUP strives for ethical and recognized business practices and fair competition. We compete for contracts by relying on the quality of our products and services and their benefit to our customers. WISEGROUP rejects corruption and bribery as stated in relevant UN convention.

Employees

We owe the success of the WISEGROUP to the knowledge, experience, and commitment of each individual staff member. WISEGROUP invests in enhancing employee qualifications and skills while encouraging personal responsibility in action. We foster fair communication and trustworthy relationships and expect the same from employees and Partners.

To respect the fundamental rights of employees, we are obligated:

• Promote equal opportunities for and treatment of its employees, irrespective of skin color, race, nationality, social background, disabilities, sexual orientation, political or religious conviction, sex, or age.
• Respect the personal dignity, privacy, and rights of everyone.
• Refuse to employ or make anyone work against his or her will.
• Refuse to tolerate any unacceptable treatment of employees, such as mental cruelty, sexual and person harassment or discrimination.
• Prohibiting behavior including gestures, language, and physical contact, which is sexual, coercive, threatening, abusive or exploitable.
• Provide fair remuneration and guarantee the applicable national statutory minimum wage.
• Comply with the applicable local laws pertaining to the maximum number of working hours.
• Recognize, as far as legally possible, the right of free association of employees and to neither favor nor discriminate against members of employee’s organizations or trade unions.

Working Environment

We will make every effort to ensure a safe working environment for our employees and partners. All applicable regulations concerning health and safety in the workplace must therefore be adhered to. We will neither tolerate violence and threats at the workplace, nor work intoxicated of legal or illegal drugs.

Through environmentally conscious behavior at all our locations, we actively contribute to preserving and protecting the environment.

Handling of Information and Data

Personal data may not be collected, processed, or used unless required for specific, clearly defined, lawful purposes. Both data and quality and technical security measures against unauthorized access must be of a guaranteed high standard.

The use of the data must be transparent for the people involved, and their rights to obtain and correct information must be preserved, as well as to contradict, exclude or delete it where appropriate.

Patents, inventions, and other knowledge are of prime significance for the future success of WISEGROUP. For this reason, employees and Partners may not pass on any new findings or company secrets to third parties, in any form whatsoever. Company documents and data media must always be protected against unauthorized access.

We expect our managers, employees, and partners to handle information and data in the strictest confidence, even if non-disclosure has not been expressly upon.

Compliance

This CoC must be handed out to each employee and partner involved with WISEGROUP activities and agreements. Each WISEGROUP and Partner manager related to WISEGROUP activities is responsible for ensuring that the staff members in his or her charge are familiar with this CoC.

Employees or subcontractors, not sure of how to correctly behave under certain circumstances, can discuss the matter with their superior or the human resources department.

Breaches of the CoC may have consequences for the employment and/or partner contract and its continuation and may also lead to claims for damages.

Document Control

Date	Reviewer	Observations
Feb 2016	Monica Lopez	Initial publication and release of the new policy
Feb 2021	Monica Lopez	Minor changes and updates
Oct 2023	Maximillian Kon	Minor changes and updates