This Code of Ethics and Conduct covers a wide range of business practices and procedures and supplements and expands some of the policies set forth in our employee handbooks. It does not cover every legal and ethical issue that may arise, but it does set out basic principles to guide all employees and management of the Maids by Trade in any location, as well as representatives, estimators and agents in their dealings with or on behalf of Maids by Trade. All of our team members, house cleaning supervisors and maid service leaders must conduct themselves ethically and work to avoid even the appearance of improper behavior.
Maids by Trade adopts new policies in order to assure the constant growth and to continue to protect the success that the company has been building on the quality of our house cleaning services, products, the strength of our relationships with customers, vendors and organizations affiliated, and the loyalty of our employees and agents. As a house cleaning service provider, our success also depends on our public image and on our character, integrity and trustworthiness. We are committed to continuing to build a company of which we can all be proud – not only of the results we achieve, but the way we achieve them.
Violating standards in this Code of Ethics and Conduct will cause disciplinary action, including possible termination of employment.
1. Compliance with Rules, Regulations and All Laws.
Complying with the letter as well as the spirit of the law is the foundation of Maids by Trades’ ethical standards. All our team members must respect and obey local, state, and national laws. We encourage you to consult regularly with your supervisor or the corporate office regarding your compliance with laws, rules and regulations.
As a Maids by Trade team member, you may have access to confidential information about Maids by Trade or companies with which we do business. You are not permitted to use or share that information for any other purpose except the conduct of our business. To use confidential information for personal benefit or to “tip” others who might use the information for personal benefit or to make an investment decision is not only unethical but also illegal.
2. Fair Business Practices, Honesty and Accuracy
You should act in good faith, responsibly, with due care, competence and diligence, without misrepresenting material facts. All of our books, records, accounts and financial statements must be timely prepared, must accurately reflect transactions and all relevant matters, and must conform both to legal requirements and to our system of internal controls.
You should respect the rights of and deal fairly and honestly with our customers, suppliers, competitors and other team members. You should not steal proprietary information, possess trade secret information that was obtained without consent, or induce disclosures of this information from past or present employees of other companies, nor should you take unfair advantage of anyone through misrepresentation of material facts, fraud, abuse of privileged information or any other unfair dealing practice.
3. Employee Relations
Maids by Trade is the best house cleaning service because our goal is to provide an exciting and dynamic place to work, where all employees are given the opportunity to achieve their potential. A crucial factor in reaching this goal is ensuring that Maids by Trade work environment is one that is safe and free of illegal discrimination or harassment of any kind. You should become familiar with Maids by Trade Employee Handbook for complete information regarding Maids by Trades’ employment policies.
4. Corporate Opportunities, Conflicts of Interest and Gifts
Conflict of Interest. You must avoid conflicts of interest. A conflict of interest exists when a person’s private interest interferes in any way with the interests of Maids by Trade. Conflicts of interest may also arise when you or members of your family receive improper personal benefits as a result of your position with Maids by Trade. Loans to, or guarantees of obligations of, you or your family members may create conflicts of interest. Conflicts of interest may not always be clear-cut, so if you have a question, you should ask management.
Corporate Opportunities. You must not take for yourself opportunities that are discovered through the use of Maids by Trades’ property or information or otherwise through your position. You may not use Maids by Trades’ property or information or your position for improper gain, nor may you compete with Maids by Trade directly or indirectly, unless expressly permitted by the terms of your employment. You owe a duty to Maids by Trade to advance its legitimate interests when the opportunity to do so arises.
Gifts. You must not give or accept any gifts if the gift may be reasonably interpreted to indicate an intent to influence improperly the business relationships between Maids by Trade and its vendors, customers, competitors or any outside party. Gifts that are commonly exchanged in connection with legitimate business dealings such as meals, entertainment, trips, event or concert tickets, exchanges of social amenities, etc., are permitted. To the extent that you are entertaining another party or being entertained, there must be a business purpose and no intention or even appearance of improper influence.
Although Maids by Trade generally relies on your good judgment to comply with its gift policy, you are specifically prohibited from accepting a cash gift at any time. If you are offered a cash gift, you must promptly report the gift to the Management. If the return of the cash gift may result in undue embarrassment, or if the donor of the cash gift cannot be readily identified, the cash gift must be turned over to Maids by Trade.
You must comply with all applicable federal, state or local laws or regulations relating to gifts. In particular, keep in mind that gifts to government officials may violate the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or other U.S. or foreign laws or regulations regarding supplier gratuities.
Under no circumstances may you give or accept kickbacks in any form to or from a supplier or any other party.
5. Public Announcements and Disclosures
Maids by Trade is subject to laws and regulations that govern how and when we disclose information. Only Maids by Trade’s Chief Executive Officer, or a person authorized by him/her, is permitted to speak with investors or investment analysts about Maids by Trade, or to speak with the media about matters involving Maids by Trade’ financial condition, results of operations, future business prospects, or similar topics.
General media relations should be coordinated by Maids by Trade’ Chief Executive Officer or by designated public relations firms. You should always refer news reporters, analysts or other seeking information about Maids by Trade to one of the individuals listed above.
6. Security and Proper Use of Information and Resources
Assets. You are responsible for taking all reasonable steps to protect Maids by Trades’ assets. Any suspected fraud, theft, or misuse of Maids by Trade’s assets should be immediately reported. Your obligation to protect our assets extends to property, products, and intellectual property including trademarks, trade secrets, patents and copyrights, as well as business, marketing and service plans, and any unpublished data and reports information regarding relationships with suppliers.
Information. Unless disclosure is authorized by Maids by Trade or required by law or regulation, you must hold and maintain confidential information in trust and confidence for the benefit of Maids by Trade and take reasonable precautions and other actions necessary to ensure that there is no unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential information.
Confidential information includes all information relating to Maids by Trade that is not publicly available or that is treated by Maids by Trade as confidential, as well as all information provided to Maids by Trade by a supplier or other party with an expectation of confidentiality. You must protect confidential information even if your relationship with Maids by Trade ends.
7. Leads, Distributions and Compliance
We are committed to providing our customers with high quality services and products. We are committed to ensuring that our suppliers, distributors and agents comply with our guidelines regarding the handling of client information and leads.
Our suppliers, distributors and agents should be familiar with our client information standards to ensure these standards are upheld. Any questions relating to our guidelines on sourcing and handling of client information should be directed to a member of management.
8. Administration and Enforcement of Policies
The Maids by Trades’ management is responsible for the administration and enforcement of this Code of Ethics and Conduct, but it may delegate its responsibility to a committee or individual. Management thereof shall take reasonable steps to monitor and audit compliance with the Code and to ensure that the Code of Ethics and Conduct continues to comply with all applicable rules and regulations. Any waiver of this Code of Ethics and Conduct for an executive officer or director must be approved by the management thereof and will be promptly disclosed as required by law or regulation. Any waiver for any other employee, representative, consultant or agent must be approved by the management or the Chief Executive Officer.
9. Compliance and reporting violations
If you have questions about this Code of Ethics and Conduct, or if you have concerns about conduct that you believe violates or may lead to a violation of this Code, it is important that you raise them through one of the channels described below.
Discuss with a supervisor. You are always encouraged to bring questions or concerns to your supervisor. Management can only make appropriate decisions if fully informed; it will be helpful if you present as complete a picture as possible to your supervisor. It is the responsibility of every supervisor to assist in resolving these questions or concerns.
Discuss with another member of management. If you are more comfortable bringing your question or concern to a member of management who is not your supervisor, you are encouraged to contact any other member of management.
This Code of Ethics and Conduct was adopted by Maids by Trade November 1st, 2013.
Last update April 30th, 2020.
Amendments or changes to this Code may only be made by the Chief Executive Officer.