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MAKE YOUR
CONDUCT COUNT
Respect, fairness and shared ethical values are at the heart of Accenture’s culture and grounded in our core values. Making your conduct count is about fostering these values and describes behaviors that we expect from—and for—our people so that they can be at their best each day.
There are five ways to make sure your conduct counts.
Speaking Up and Zero Tolerance for Retaliation
Topics: Reporting and escalating concerns, Consequences for retaliating concernsRespect for the Individual
Topics: Disrespectful behavior, Harassment, Respectful work environmentAmbassadors of Accenture
Topics: Behaving professionally in publicMeritocracy and Non-Discrimination
Topics: Decisions about our employees, DiscriminationPersonal Conflicts of Interest
Topics: Personal interests, Conflicts for Accenture, Approval process for personal interests
Speaking Up and Zero Tolerance for
Retaliation
We speak up about concerns knowing Accenture never tolerates retaliation.
SPEAK UP ABOUT DISRESPECTFUL, INAPPROPRIATE, FRAUDULENT,
UNETHICAL OR ILLEGAL BEHAVIOR
If you have a good faith concern about disrespectful, inappropriate, fraudulent, unethical or illegal behavior of any kind, Accenture wants you to speak up. You can always escalate your concern without fear of retaliation if you do not receive an acceptable response from your first point of contact. We take seriously all concerns raised, including allegations of retaliation.
The way we handle a concern will depend on its nature and severity. We may have discussions with relevant work colleagues, Accenture Leaders or Human Resources, or conduct formal investigations. Regardless of how you raise a concern, we always seek to ensure it is handled by the most appropriate people within Accenture—confidentially and with sensitivity.
TAKE ACTION
Take action or reach out for guidance when approached about a concern involving disrespectful, inappropriate, fraudulent, unethical or illegal behavior. No matter the career level, we take concerns seriously and take action or otherwise raise them via the appropriate channel.
WE HAVE ZERO TOLERANCE FOR RETALIATION
Accenture has zero tolerance for retaliation against anyone who speaks up in good faith. Retaliation means any kind of unfair treatment, whether subtle or overt. There are serious consequences for retaliation, up to and including dismissal.
Respect for the Individual
We treat each other with respect.
DISRESPECTFUL BEHAVIOR OR HARASSMENT OF ANY KIND ARE NOT
TOLERATED BY ACCENTURE.
Disrespectful behavior takes many forms. It consists of behaviors that interfere with work performance, or any other treatment of a person that creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment. It might be something someone says or does in person. It could also be done remotely by email, a posting on social media or a text or instant message.
We expect all our people, regardless of career level or role, to treat each other, and others we interact with in work-related situations—whether in person or online—with respect and professional courtesy. This includes client and supplier personnel, advisors to our clients and hotel, restaurant and airline staff.
WE ENSURE A WORKPLACE FREE OF DISRESPECTFUL BEHAVIOR OR HARASSMENT
Harassment on the basis of a person’s characteristics—known as protected characteristics—is illegal in many jurisdictions. Disrespectful behavior is also potentially illegal or legally actionable in many jurisdictions. Accenture’s ethical values go beyond what the law requires. We want a workplace that is free from any form of disrespectful behavior or harassment, whether it is covered by law or not.
Ambassadors of Accenture
We are proud to be ambassadors of Accenture, and we act accordingly.
WE CONDUCT OURSELVES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HIGHEST
STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR
Whether at work, travelling on business, communicating online or attending training or social events with colleagues or clients, we are always “ambassadors of Accenture,” demonstrating the Accenture Way. Our behavior reflects both on ourselves and on Accenture. We conduct ourselves in accordance with the highest standards of professional behavior. Good professional conduct is especially important because our individual behaviors impact our colleagues, our clients, our communities and ultimately, the success of our company.
Meritocracy and
Non-discrimination
We apply our principle of meritocracy when we make decisions about our people
WE APPLY OUR PRINCIPLE OF MERITOCRACY WHEN WE MAKE
DECISIONS ABOUT OUR PEOPLE
Meritocracy means that all employment decisions must be based only on an individual's demonstrated contributions and capabilities within the context of meeting Accenture's business needs. This applies to any decision about recruitment, hiring, compensation, promotions, performance and work assignments.
WE VALUE DIVERSITY AND DO NOT DISCRIMINATE
Accenture is a global company. We value different cultures, strive to have a diverse and inclusive workforce and meet legal hiring mandates where required.
Many local laws around the world prohibit discrimination against people on the basis of certain characteristics. We expect our people to comply with such laws against discrimination, but Accenture's ethical values go beyond legal requirements: we each have a responsibility to support and promote our principle of meritocracy to maintain a fair, positive and inclusive work environment.
Personal Conflicts of Interest
We ensure our personal interests and relationships don't create conflicts for
Accenture.
IDENTIFY PERSONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
A personal conflict of interest is a situation where your own personal interests (or those of a family member or close friend) can affect your ability to act in Accenture's best interests, or interfere with your personal objectivity and obligations to Accenture. Our business is built on trust based relationships–conflicts of interest risk undermining that trust. A failure to avoid, or properly deal with, a personal conflict can have very serious consequences—both for Accenture and for you personally.
A personal conflict can arise in many different situations. Each of us is best qualified to identify when there is a personal conflict. Therefore, it is important to use good judgment to identify actual, potential or perceived personal conflicts of interest.
DISCLOSE PERSONAL CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS, GET REQUIRED APPROVALS AND FOLLOW ANY RESTRICTIONS
We understand that personal conflicts occasionally arise in the ordinary course of business. When faced with a personal conflict of interest, the most important thing is to tell us about it as soon as you can, obtain any required approvals and follow any restrictions. A personal conflict of interest is often easy to resolve when it is disclosed early enough.