Code of Business Ethics
All Applied® associates accept the responsibility to perform their daily jobs according to a policy of high ethical standards. We review our Code of Business Ethics, posted on our website, annually to ensure it is relevant to our current business and operating environment, and to the expectations of our stakeholders. All associates are required annually to formally acknowledge they have read the Code, understand it and agree to practice its ethical principles in the course of daily business activities.
Our “open door” policy supports Applied associates who want to report a problem – ethical or otherwise. Additionally, we have a third-party ethics hotline for associates, customers, suppliers and others to report, anonymously if desired, questionable incidents or conditions.
We take ethics very seriously, and pride ourselves on the high standards we have set.
Applied is dedicated to running an ethically and legally compliant business. Applied’s Code of Business Ethics specifically forbids its associates from engaging in anti-competitive, unethical, corrupt, or otherwise illegal conduct, such as money laundering or bribery. Applied expects our suppliers and customers to meet these same ethical standards.
Applied monitors Company practices to ensure compliance with applicable laws, including labor and employment laws, ethics and anti-corruption laws, and human trafficking and modern slavery laws. Applied further monitors to ensure compliance with its ethical standards, through committees that review ethical and legal matters. Each associate, officer, and director must respect and obey the laws of the jurisdictions in which they do business and adhere to Applied’s Core Values and Code of Business Ethics. Applied expects its customers and suppliers to do the same.
Applied is dedicated to the principle that genuine competition, in a free and open marketplace, brings value to our customers. Applied complies with applicable antitrust and trade regulation laws. We endeavor to conduct business in accordance with responsible and ethical marketing practices.