A clear stance

A bouquet of flowers as a token of gratitude for a good and productive collaboration? A nice gesture and a gift that can certainly be accepted without any problems. A car to say thank you for an order worth millions? Swiss Post’s good reputation and the trust placed in it depend on employees’ conduct towards others. But what about situations in which it is harder to separate the right from the wrong? The Code of Conduct gives employees the necessary clarity and orientation, both for their everyday conduct and for decision-making.

The three key questions

The Code contains three key questions as a guide to help staff make an initial assessment of a difficult situation or evaluate unclear circumstances. To this end, it should be possible to answer “Yes” to the following questions:

• Is the decision or solution fair to both sides?
• Would I consider the solution I have chosen to be right if I myself as a customer or partner were affected by that solution?
• Would I feel good if I were to read about my decision or solution in the media?

In addition, there are eight clear rules based on applicable law, company regulations and universal values.

These include the fact that Swiss Post employees’ conduct towards the people and institutions they deal with should be respectful, proper and free of discrimination at all times. Human rights must be respected. Bullying will not be tolerated under any circumstances, and nor will abuse of power, sexual harassment or other unethical behaviour. This applies to all forms of interaction with others, whether in direct conversation, in letters or on social media.

The eight rules

1. Swiss Post employees care for their fellow human beings, their environment and objects of value
2. Laws and regulations are complied with
3. Safety is guaranteed
4. Business information is always handled with the utmost care
5. Conflicts of interest are disclosed and resolved
6. Bribery or corrupt practices are not tolerated
7. Competition must be fair
8. Responsibility is taken for one’s own actions

In problematic cases, employees can contact the Compliance department, which advises staff on questions, concerns and sensitive situations and takes action. There is also the option to use the Swiss Post Courage platform anonymously. This platform is independent of Swiss Post operational management and reports directly to the Board of Directors.

Due to PostFinance’s independence under company law, its employees are subject to a separate Code of Conduct.

Swiss Post Courage: decisive action against improper business conduct

Since 2011, Swiss Post has operated an anonymous reporting office for potential improper business conduct on an independent external platform at www.swisspostcourage.ch. Employees can report observations from their work environment in the event of justified suspicion of breaches of applicable law, such as public procurement law or the Federal Act on Data Protection, and of infringements of the Code of Conduct. Employees who report incidents do not have to fear any negative consequences.