谷歌行为准则Code of conduct google

CodeofconductgooglePrefaceOurinformalcorporatemottois"Don‘tbeevil."WeGooglersgenerallyrelatethosewordstothewayweserveourusers-aswellweshould.Butbeing"adifferentkindofcompany"meansmorethantheproductswemakeandthebusinesswe‘rebuilding;itmeansmakingsurethatourcorevaluesinformourconductinallaspectsofourlivesasGoogleemployees.TheGoogleCodeofConductisthecodebywhichweputthosevaluesintopractice.Thisdocumentismeantforpublicconsumption,butitsmostimportantaudienceiswithinourownwalls.Thiscodeisn‘tmerelyasetofrulesforspecificcircumstancesbutanintentionallyexpansivestatementofprinciplesmeanttoinformallouractions;weexpectallouremployees,temporaryworkers,consultants,contractors,officersanddirectorstostudytheseprinciplesanddotheirbesttoapplythemtoanyandallcircumstanceswhichmayarise.Thecoremessageissimple:BeingGooglersmeansstrivingtowardthehighestpossiblestandardofethicalbusinessconduct.Thisisamatterasmuchpracticalasethical;wehiregreatpeoplewhoworkhardtobuildgreatproducts,butourmostimportantassetbyfarisourreputationasacompanythatwarrantsourusers‘faithandtrust.Thattrustisthefoundationuponwhichoursuccessandprosperityrests,anditmustbere-earnedeveryday,ineveryway,byeveryoneofus.Sopleasedoreadthiscode,andthenreaditagain,andrememberthatasourcompanyevolves,TheGoogleCodeofConductwillevolveaswell.Ourcoreprincipleswon‘tchange,butthespecificsmight,soayearfromnow,pleasereaditathirdtime.Andalwaysbearinmindthateachofushasapersonalresponsibilitytodoeverythingwecantoincorporatetheseprinciplesintoourwork,andourlives.ServingOurUsersbacktotopGooglehasalwaysflourishedbyservingtheinterestsofourusersfirstandforemost.Ourgoalistobuildproductsthatorganizetheworld‘sinformationandmakeitaccessibletoourusers.HereareseveralprinciplesthatallGooglersshouldkeepinmindasweworktowardthatgoal.UsefulnessOurproducts,featuresandservicesshouldmakeGooglemoreusefulforourusers,whetherthey‘resimplesearchusersoradvertisers,largeorsmallcompanies.Wehavemanydifferenttypesofusers,butoneprimarygoalforservingthemall."Isthisuseful?"istheonequestioneveryGooglershouldkeepinmindduringanytask,everyday.HonestyOurcommunicationswithourusersshouldbeappropriatelyclearandtruthful.Ourreputationasacompanyouruserscantrustisamongourmostvaluableassets,anditisuptoallofustomakesurethatwenourishthatreputation.ResponsivenessPartofbeingusefulandhonestisbeingappropriatelyresponsive:recognizingrelevantuserfeedbackwhenweseeit,anddoingsomethingaboutit.Wetakeprideinrespondingtocommunicationsfromourusers,whetherintheformofcommentsorquestions,problemsorcompliments.TakingActionSayingthatGoogle,andtheproductsandservicesweproduce,shouldbeuseful,honestandresponsiveisonething;achievingthatgoal100percentofthetimeis,ofcourse,quiteanother.Thatmeansthatimprovingourworkovertimeislargelycontingentonthevigilanceofourstaff.Anytimeyoufeelourusersaren‘tbeingwellserved,don‘thesitatetobringittotheattentionoftheappropriateperson.Googlersdon‘tsitbackandsaynothingwhentheinterestsoftheuserareatstake.Whenyoufeelit‘swarranted,weencourageyoutotakeastand.RespectingEachOtherbacktotopGoogleiscommittedtomaintainingasupportiveworkenvironmentinwhichallemployeesreachtheirfullestpotentialasparticipantsinandcontributorstooursharedendeavor.Tothisend,everyGooglerisexpectedtodohisorherutmosttopromotearespectfulworkplaceculturethatisfreeofharassment,intimidation,biasanddiscriminationofanykind.Ifyouknowofasituationinwhichyoufeeltheseconditionsaren‘tbeingmet,youshouldimmediatelyreportthefactsofthesituationtoyoursupervisorortheHumanResourcesDepartmentorboth.TheimportantthingisthatyoubringthemattertoGoogle‘sattentionpromptlysothatanyconcernofdiscriminationorharassmentcanbeinvestigatedandaddressedappropriately.EqualOpportunityEmploymentGoogleisanequalopportunityemployer.Employmenthereisbasedsolelyuponone‘sindividualmeritandqualificationsdirectlyrelatedtoprofessionalcompetence.Wedon‘tdiscriminateonthebasisofrace,color,religion,nationalorigin,ancestry,pregnancystatus,sex,age,maritalstatus,disability,medicalconditionorsexualorientation,oranyotherbasisprotectedbylaw.WewillalsomakeallreasonableaccommodationstomeetourobligationsundertheAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct(ADA)andstatedisabilitylaws.HarassmentandDiscriminationGoogleiscommittedtomaintainingaworkplaceenvironmentfreefromdiscriminationandharassment.Inkeepingwiththispolicy,Googlestrictlyprohibitsunlawfuldiscriminationorharassmentofanykind,includingdiscriminationorharassmentonthebasisofrace,color,veteranstatus,religion,gender,sex,sexualorientation,age,mentalorphysicaldisability,medicalcondition,nationalorigin,maritalstatusoranyothercharacteristicsprotectedbylaw.Westrictlyprohibitallformsofunlawfulharassmentonthepartofallemployees,temporaryworkers,independentcontractors,interns,andotherprofessionalserviceproviders.Weprohibitunlawfulharassmentinanyform,includingverbal,physicalorvisualharassment.Sexualharassmentincludes,butisn‘tlimitedto,makingunwantedsexualadvancesandrequestsforsexualfavorswhere(1)submissiontosuchconductismadeanexplicitorimplicittermorconditionofemployment;(2)submissiontoorrejectionofadvancesisusedasthebasisforemploymentdecisionsaffectinganindividual,includinggrantingofemployeebenefits;or(3)unwantedconducthasthepurposeoreffectofsubstantiallyinterferingwithanindividual‘sworkperformanceorcreatinganintimidating,hostileoroffensiveworkingenvironment,evenifitdoesnotleadtotangibleoreconomicjobconsequences.Ifyoubelieveyou‘vebeenharassedbyanyonewithwhomyoucomeintocontactatGoogle,youmustimmediatelyreporttheincidenttoyoursupervisor,theDirectorofHumanResourcesorboth.Similarly,supervisorsandmanagerswhoknowofanysuchincidentmustimmediatelyreporttheharassmenttoHumanResources,whichwillpromptlyandthoroughlyinvestigateanycomplaintsandtakeappropriatecorrectiveactionwhenitiswarranted.EmployeeswhoarefoundtohaveviolatedthisCodearesubjecttodisciplineuptoandincludingimmediatedischarge.Retaliationforreportinganyincidentsofdiscriminationorharassmentorperceiveddiscriminationorharassment,formakinganycomplaintsofdiscriminationorharassment,orparticipatinginanyinvestigationofincidentsofdiscriminationorharassmentorperceiveddiscriminationorharassmentisstrictlyprohibited.Ifacomplaintofretaliationissubstantiated,appropriatedisciplinaryaction,whichmayincludedischarge,willbetaken.Toooftenonehearsstoriesofemployeeswhowereharassed,oftenforlongperiodsoftime,butdidn‘tfeelcomfortablecomingforward.WewanttomakeentirelyclearthatGoogleisnot,andneverwillbe,thekindofcompanyinwhichanyemployeeshouldeverfeelthatway.Ifyoufeelthere‘saproblem,pleaseletusknowaboutitrightawaysothatanyconcernofdiscriminationorharassmentcanbeinvestigatedandaddressedpromptlyandappropriately.DrugandAlcoholUseOurpositiononsubstanceabuseisquitesimple:weconsiderittobeincompatiblewithouremployee‘shealthandsafety,nottomentiontheirchancesoflong-termsuccesswiththiscompany.Employeeswhoareundertheinfluenceofalcoholordrugswhileonthejobcanendangerthemselvesandothersandcreateseriousdisruptions.So,whileanyGooglerwhohascrackedopenabeerataGoogle-sponsoredevent,suchasataFridayafternoonTGIF,knowsthatthelegalconsumptionofalcoholbyadultsisn‘tabsolutelyprohibitedontheGooglecampus,wewishalsotomakeclearthatGooglestrictlyprohibitstheuse,manufacture,possession,purchase,saleordistributionofanyillegaldrugorcontrolledsubstancewhileperformingcompanybusiness.ItalsogoeswithoutsayingthatwhileperformingGooglebusinessorattendingaGoogle-sponsoredevent,alcoholconsumptionisonlyallowedtotheextentthatitissituationallyappropriateanditsusedoesnotleadtoimpairedperformanceorinappropriatebehavior,endangerthesafetyofanyoneorviolatethelaw.Incaseswhereanemployee‘smanagerhasreasonablesuspiciontobelievethattheemployeeisundertheinfluenceofdrugsand/oralcoholandsuchinfluencemayadverselyaffecttheemployee‘sjobperformance,safetyorthesafetyofothersintheworkplace,theemployee‘smanagermayrequestanalcoholand/ordrugscreeningfortheemployee.Areasonablesuspicionisbasedonobjectivesymptomssuchasfactorsrelatingtotheemployee‘sappearance,behavior,speech,etc.Asaconditionofemployment,Googlerequireseachemployeetoabidebythetermsofthispolicyandnotifyitofanycriminaldrugstatuteconvictionforaviolationoccurringintheworkplacewithinfivedaysofsuchconviction.Eachemployeewillbeprovidedacopyofthispolicyandwillberequiredtoacknowledgethattheyhavereviewedthispolicy.EmployeeswhoviolateGoogle‘ssubstanceabusepolicywillbedisciplinedincludingpotentialterminationand,incertainsituations,maybesubjecttocivilorcriminalpenalties.WeaponsandWorkplaceViolenceGoogle‘scommitmenttoprovidingallouremployeeswithacompletelysafeworkenvironmentextendstoanyandallformsofweaponsandworkplaceviolence.Googlewillnottolerateanylevelofviolence,orthethreatofviolence,inourworkplace.Undernocircumstancesshouldanyemployeebringanysortofweapontoworkorthreatenviolenceofanykind,andviolationsofthispolicywillresultinappropriatedisciplinaryaction,uptoandincludingdismissal.AswithotherelementsofthisCode,ifyoubecomeawareofanyviolationofGoogle‘sweaponsandworkplacepolicy,youshouldreportthemtotheHumanResourcesdepartmentimmediately.Inthecaseofpotentialviolence,contactGoogleSecurityat650-623-5555.OurDogPolicyGoogle‘srespectandaffectionforourcaninefriendsisanintegralfacetofourcorporateculture.Ifyou‘reinterested,here‘sourofficialDogPolicy.Wehavenothingagainstcats,perse,butwe‘readogcompany,soasageneralrulewefeelcatsvisitingourcampuswouldbefairlystressedout.AvoidingConflictsofInterestbacktotopAconflictofinterestoccurswhen,becauseofyourroleatGoogle,youareinapositiontoinfluenceadecisionorsituationthatmayresultinpersonalgainforyouoryourfriendsorfamilyattheexpenseofthecompanyorourusers.AllofusatGoogleshouldavoidsituationsthatpresentpotentialconflictsofinterest,eitherrealorperceived;itisourresponsibilitytoactatalltimeswiththebestinterestsofGoogleandourusersinmind.InnowayshouldyoupersonallyprofitfromtransactionsbasedonyourrelationshipwithGoogleifitharmsthecompany.Thecoreprincipletokeepinmindisthatbeingopenandhonestaboutthepossibilityofagivenconflictofinterestisthekeytoensuringthatitdoesn‘tbecomeaproblem.Ifyou‘reeverindoubtaboutwhetheragivenactionordecisionwouldorwouldn‘trepresentaconflictofinterest,pleaseconsultyourmanagerorHumanResourcesbeforehand.OpennessYoushouldconsiderityourresponsibilitytopromptlydiscloseanyinterestyoumayhavethatcouldconflictwiththeinterestsofGoogle.Forexample,ifoneofyourfamilymembers(includingyourparents,siblings,childrenorin-laws)isorbecomesaGooglesupplier,customer,developerorcompetitor,thatmaynotnecessarilyrepresentaconflictofinterest,buttherightthingtodononethelessistoletyourmanagerknowaboutthesituationimmediately.Onewaytothinkaboutitwhenconsideringwhetheragivenaction,relationship,gift,etc.constitutesaconflictofinterestistoimagineyourselfatacompanymeeting.Couldyoujustifyyouractionsinfrontofyourpeers?Theanswertothatquestionshouldhelpyouevaluatethesituation.PersonalInvestmentsYoushouldnotinvest,withoutapprovalfromtheAuditCommitteeofourBoardofDirectors,inaGooglecustomer,supplier,developerorcompetitorifit‘satalllikelythatyourinvestmentcouldcompromisethefulfillmentofyourresponsibilitiesasaGoogler.Asageneralrule,thegreateryourresponsibilitiesatGoogleandthelargertheamountofthedesiredinvestment,themorelikelyitisthatyou‘redoingsomethingthatconflicts(orcouldbeperceivedasconflicting)withthecompany‘sinterests.GiftsandEntertainmentNotallgiftsandentertainmentnecessarilyrepresentconflictsofinterest;inexpensive"token"gifts,infrequentbusinessmealsandentertainment,andinvitationstocelebratoryeventscanbeconsideredordinaryaspectsofmanyGooglers‘businessrelationships,providedthattheyaren‘tsufficientlyexcessiveastocreatetheappearanceofimpropriety.Acceptinganinvitationtoacocktailpartythrownbyanadvertisingpartner,forinstance,mightbeconsiderednotonlyanacceptablebusinessactivitybutanecessaryoneforanAdWordssalesemployee.Youshouldnot,however,acceptanysignificantgift,paymentoranythingelseofvaluefromcustomers,vendors,consultants,oranyoneelsedoingbusinesswithGoogle,ifthegiftwouldlikelybeperceivedasundulyinfluencingyourbusinessdecisions.AcceptingacompanyT-shirtorcoffeemug,forinstance,isn‘tlikelytochangeyourassessmentofapotentialbusinessrelationship.Onemorewordonthissubject:It‘sworthrememberingthatmanyofthecompanieswhichwhomyouhaveprofessionaldealingswillhavegifts-and-entertainmentpoliciesoftheirown;ifanygiftoreventyou‘reabouttogiveorreceivecouldfallintoadubious"grayzone,"it‘sprobablyworthcheckingwithyourbusinesscounterparttobesureheorsheisn‘t,eveninadvertently,violatinghisorhercompany‘spolicy.BusinessRelationshipsBusinessrelationshipsthatyoupursueoutsideyourworkatGooglerequireaboveall-likemanyoftheothersituationsdescribedinthisCode-yourgoodfaithandcommonsense.Asarule,professionalrelationshipswithcompaniesthatcompetewithGoogleareproblematicforGooglers;inparticular,youshouldbeextremelyreluctanttoacceptpersonalemploymentorfeesofanykindfromanyGooglesupplier,customer,developerorcompetitorwhileyouareemployedhere.It‘salsoimportanttopointoutthatbusinessopportunitiesdiscoveredthroughyourworkatGooglebelongfirstandforemosttoGoogle;youshouldnotpursuesuchanopportunityyourselfunlessyoufirstdiscloseitfullyto,andreceivepermissiontopursueitfrom,Google‘sGeneralCounsel.FriendsandRelativesSimilarly,businessrelationshipswithfriendsandrelativeswhoseinterestsmayconflictwithGoogle‘scaneasilyleaveyouwiththesortofconflictofinterestthatcanbedifficulttohappilyresolve.Ourrulehereissimple:youshouldnotenterintoaGoogle-relatedbusinessrelationshipwithacloserelativeorsignificantother,includingappointingthemasanauditor,outsidecounseloranyotherpositionthatinvolveshavingfinancialdependenceorinfluenceonGoogle,withoutfirstcontactingourGeneralCounsel.Moreseniorexecutivessometimesgettheopportunitytoserveonothercompanies‘boards.Wearen‘tagainstthisasamatterofprinciple,butafewwordsofcautionareinorder.Forone,noGoogleemployeeshouldeverserveasadirectorforacompanythatdirectlycompeteswithGoogle.Inmanycasesitisfinetobecomeadirectorofoneofourcompany‘ssuppliers,customersordevelopers,butyoushouldmakesureyoureceivepriorconsentfromGoogle‘sGeneralCounsel,BoardofDirectorsortheAuditCommitteeoftheBoardofDirectors.Finally:it‘sasmallworld(especiallyhereinSiliconValley),andsomeofuswillundoubtedlyfindourselvesinvolvedinpersonalrelationshipswithpeopleemployedbyoneofourcompetitors.Inthiscase,asinmostothers,commonsenseapplies:youshouldn‘ttellyoursignificantotheranythingthecompanyconsidersconfidential,anymorethanyou‘drevealthatinformationtoastrangeratacoffeeshop(andyoushouldn‘tsolicitconfidentialinformationaboutthecompetingcompany,either).PreservingConfidentialitybacktotopAsweallknow,ourcompany‘sconfidentialandproprietaryinformationisaninvaluableassetthatallGooglersmusttakegreatcaretoprotect;companyinformationthatleaksprematurelyintothepressortocompetitorscanhurtproductlaunches,eliminateourcompetitiveadvantage,andprovecostlyinanynumberofotherways.SoourresponsibilitiesinthisarenaextendbeyondmerelynotrevealingconfidentialGooglematerial;theyalsoincludeitsproperlabeling,securinganddisposal;thesafeguardingofconfidentialinformationthatGooglereceivesfromthirdpartiesundernon-disclosureagreements;andinternalcompliancewithapplicableintellectualpropertylaws,suchasthoseprotectingpatents,copyrights,tradesecretsandtrademarks.ThekeytoexercisingpropervigilanceinsafeguardingconfidentialGooglematerialistobesureyouknowtheproperrulesofconductinadvance.Towhateverextentyourparticularjobinvolvesdealingwithconfidentialinformation,pleasebesureyou‘vereadthefollowingguidelines,andbeartheminmindinthecourseofyourbusinessdealings.Pleaserememberthattheconsequencestoyouifyoudiscloseconfidentialorproprietaryinformationcanbesevere,andincludedismissal,civillawsuitsagainstyou(byusorothers)withsignificantclaimsfor,amongotherthings,monetarydamages,and/orcriminalprosecution.ConfidentialGoogleInformationGoogle‘s"confidentialinformation"mayincludefinancialinformation,productinformation,userinformation,etc.Thefirstruleisprettysimple:itisyourresponsibilitytoexerciseallduecaretoensurethatconfidentialcompanymaterialstaysthatway.Attimes,however,someparticularprojectornegotiationproperlynecessitatesdisclosingconfidentialinformationtoathirdparty.Disclosureofconfidentialinformationshouldbeona"needtoknow"basis.Whensuchinstancesarise,simplybesuretofirstcontacttheLegalDepartmentsotheycandraftanappropriatenondisclosureagreementforthesignatureofallappropriateparties.Inaddition,pleasepromptlyreporttoourLegalDepartmentanypossibleinfringementsofGoogleintellectualproperty.Thereare,ofcourse,"grayareas"inwhichyourbestjudgmentappliesmorefullythananyhard-and-fastrule.Suppose,forinstance,thatafriendwhoworksatanon-profitcharitableorganizationasksyouforadviceabouthowtoimprovethatsite‘sGooglesearchranking?UsingyourGooglerknowledgetogiveyourfriendsite-optimizationtipsthatheorshecouldhavefoundinanynumberofbooks,articlesandwebsitesisn‘tlikelytoseemproblematic,butgivingtipsthataren‘tpubliclyknowndefinitelywouldbe.Asalways,yourownjudgmentislikelytobeyourbestbarometer-butyouhavetousethatjudgment.Trademarks,LogosandCopyrightsThenameGoogleInc.,thenamesofnumerousGoogleproductsandservices,andthevariouslogosrelatedtothoseproductsandservicesareallthecompany‘sintellectualproperty,andunauthorizeduseofthemcandorealdamagetoourcompany‘spublicimage.Soit‘simportanttorememberthatanyuseofGooglelogosandtrademarksmustbeclearedinadvancebyourmarketingdirector.GooglePartnersJustasyoushouldbecarefulnottodiscloseconfidentialGoogleinformation,it‘sequallyimportantnottodiscloseanyconfidentialthird-partyinformationwithwhichyoumaybeentrustedinthecourseofyourwork.YoushouldtakecarenottoacceptanyconfidentialinformationfromthirdpartieswithoutfirstcontactingourLegalDepartmentsoitcandraftanappropriatenondisclosureagreement.Evenaftertheagreementissigned,tryonlytoacceptasmuchinformationasisnecessarytoaccomplishyourbusinessobjectives.Also,pleaserememberthatyouarepersonallyresponsibleforreadingthenondisclosureagreementandabidingbyitsrestrictions.Youshouldalsobesuretoobtainlegallicensesforanythird-partysoftwareyouuseinyourwork,andthatyoureceiveapublisher‘sconsent,orconsulttheLegalDepartment,beforecopyinganypublicationorsoftwareinconnectionwithyourworkwithGoogle.Competitors‘InformationThelevelofbusinessethicstowhichweaspiremeansapplyingthesamerulestoourcompetitors‘informationaswedotoourown,andthatwetreatourcompetitorsaswehopetheywilltreatus.Werespectourcompetitorsandaboveallelsebelieveinfairplayinallcircumstances;wewouldnosooneruseacompetitor‘sconfidentialinformationtoouradvantagethanwewouldwishthemtouseours.So,althoughgatheringpubliclyavailableinformationaboutcompetitorsiscertainlyalegitimatepartofbusinesscompetition,youshouldnotseekoutourcompetitors‘confidentialinformationorseektouseitifitcomesintoyourpossession.Thesamegoesforconfidentialinformationbelongingtoanyformeremployerofyours.Ifanopportunityarisestotakeadvantageofcompetitors‘confidentialinformation,remember:don‘tbeevil.Wecompete,butwedon‘tcheat.OutsideCommunicationsAsageneralrule,allGooglersknowthatwebelieveinbeingextremelycarefulaboutdisclosingcompanyinformation.It‘salmostalwaysabadideatopostdiscussionsorinformationaboutGoogleontheInternetoranywhereelseunlessyou‘reauthorizedtodosoaspartofyourjob.Andyoushouldneverdiscussthecompanywithmembersofthemediaunlessyou‘vebeenexplicitlyauthorizedtodosobyourpublicrelationsdepartment.MaintainingBooksandRecordsbacktotopAccuratefinancialreportingisacoreaspectofcorporateprofessionalism.OurgoalatGoogleis,andwillalwaysbe,accountingtransparencyandaccuracy.Tomeetthisstandard,weconsideritessentialtomaintaindetailed,accuratebooks,recordsandaccountstoaccuratelyreflectourtransactionsandtoprovidefull,fair,accurate,timelyandunderstandabledisclosureinreportsanddocumentsthatwefilewithorsubmittotheSecuritiesandExchangeCommissionandinotherpubliccommunications.Tomakesurethatwegetthisright,Googlemaintainsasystemofinternalaccountingcontrolstoreinforceandverifyourowncompliancewiththesepolicies.PleasebecertainthatinthecourseofworkyoualwaysstayinfullcompliancewithanysystemofinternalcontrolsthatiscommunicatedtoyoubytheCEO,CFO,GeneralCounsel,financedepartment,orheadofyourdepartment,orgenerallycommunicatedthroughthecompany‘sintranetsite.BusinessTransactionsYourownjobatGooglemayormaynotinvolvesignificantrecord-keeping;butwheneverappropriate,we‘reallresponsibleforhelpingtomakesurethatGoogle‘sbooksareaccurate.Whenyou‘reinvolvedinbusinesstransactions,besurethatyou‘refollowingcompanyproceduresforcarryingoutandreportingthem,obtainingappropriatemanagementauthorizationforthem(forinstance,makingsureyouhavefinancedepartment,and,whereappropriate,LegalDepartmentapprovalbeforeenteringintorevenue-relatedcontracts),andmaintainingappropriatedocumentationforthem.ReportingProceduresWhenevertheoccasionarises,youshoulddoeverythingpossibletocooperatewithouraccounting/financeteams,externalauditorsandlegalcounselbygivingthemcandid,thoroughinformationtoensurethatourbooksandrecordsareaccurate.Ifyourjobcallsitforit,youshouldmakesurethatyou‘refullyfamiliarwithGoogle‘spolicies,suchasourrevenuerecognitionpolicyfortherecordingofsalesandourpurchasingpolicyforpurchases,andreporttothefinancedepartmentanytransactionsofwhichyouthinktheymaynotbeaware.ReportingIrregularitiesNeedlesstosay,youshouldnever,everinanywayinterferewithorseektoimproperlyinfluence,directlyorindirectly,theauditingofGoogle‘sfinancialrecords;andyoushouldneverfalsifyanybook,recordoraccount,includingtimereports,expenseaccountsandotherpersonalGooglerecords.Ifinthecourseofyourworkyoucomeacrossanysuspectedaccountingirregularities,nomatterhowsmall,youshouldimmediatelyreporttheminaccordancewithourReportingofFinancialandAccountingConcernsPolicy.ProtectingGoogle‘sAssetsbacktotopGooglehas(andintendstomaintain)awell-earnedreputationforgenerositywhenitcomestoemployeebenefits.Butourlong-termsuccesswillalsodependonourabilitytobesmartaboutconservingcompanyresources.Hereareafewguidelinestofollowinaimingtoavoidingneedlesswaste.CompanyEquipmentGooglersshouldalwaystakecaretoconservecompanyassetsandequipment.AllGoogleemployeesareprovidedwitheverypossibletoolweneedtodoourjobseffectivelyandcomfortably,whichmakesitevenmoreincumbentonallofustoavoidneedlesswaste.Nobody‘sgoingtocomplainifyousnaganextrabagelonFridaymorning,butasageneralrule,companyfunds,equipmentandotherassetsshouldnotberequisitionedforpurelypersonaluse.Ifyouaren‘tsurewhetherornotagivenusageofcompanyassetsisokay,pleaseaskyourmanagerorHumanResources.ComputerandotherCommunicationsResourcesGoogle‘scomputer,telephonyandothercommunicationsresourcesareacrucialaspectofourcompany‘sproperty,bothphysicalandintellectual.Pleasetakeallduecaretomaintainthesecurityandprivacyoftheseresources,andifyouhaveanyreasontobelievethatournetworksecurityhasbeenviolated-if,forinstance,youhavereasontobelievethatyournetworkpasswordmayhavebeencompromised-pleasepromptlyreporttheincidenttotheseniordirectorofInformationServices.Third-PartySuppliersAsourcompanygrows,westrikemoreandmoredealswiththird-partysuppliersofequipmentandservices一andwealwaysstrivetostrikethebestpossibledeal.Ifyou/reinvolvedinselectingsuppliersofgoodsorservices,besuretosolicitcompetingbidsifappropriatetomakesurethatyou‘regettingthebestprice.Butpriceisn‘ttheonlyfactorworthconsidering;alsotakeintoaccountquality,service,andthetermsandconditionsoftheproposeddeal.CompanyContractsSigningacontractonbehalfofthecompanyisabigdeal.Pleasebesurenevertoenterintoanycontractunlessyouareauthorizedtodoso(andifyouareunsureifyouareauthorized,askthefinancedepartment)anduntilithasbeenreviewedorapprovedasaformbytheLegalDepartment.Andevenwiththeserulesinmind,becarefulnevertosignacontractwithoutfirsttakingthetimetostudyityourselfuntilyoufullyunderstanditsterms.ObeyingtheLawbacktotopGoogletakesitsresponsibilitiestocomplywiththelawsandregulationsapplicabletoitveryseriously.Althoughwerecognizethatitisprobablyimpossibleforyoutounderstandallaspectsofeveryapplicablelaw,pleasetakethetimetotrytogenerallyfamiliarizeyourselfwiththemajorlawsandregulationsthatapplytoyourworkandtakeadvantageofourLegalDepartmenttoassistyouandanswerquestions.Wemustallalwaysrememberthatourreputationisthefoundationofourpresentandfuturesuccess-andthatearning,andthenmaintaining,thatreputationrequiresattentionandefforttostayincompliancewiththelaw.TheForeignCorruptPracticesActGooglerequiresfullcompliancewiththeForeignCorruptPracticesAct,exportcontrolregulations,antitrustlawsandothertraderegulationstatutes.TheForeignCorruptPracticesActprohibitsany"corrupt"offer,payment,promisetopay,orauthorizationtopayanymoney,gift,oranythingofvaluetoanyforeignofficial,oranyforeignpoliticalparty,candidateorofficial,forthepurposeof:influencinganyactorfailuretoactintheforeignofficialorparty‘sofficialcapacity;orinducingtheforeignofficialorpartytouseinfluencetoaffectadecisionofaforeigngovernmentoragency,inordertoobtainorretainbusinessforanyone,ordirectbusinesstoanyone.Whatalldoesthislegaljargonmeantoyou?Simplyput:thatanyattemptonthepartofanyGoogleemployeeorcontractortobribeorotherwiseunethicallyinfluenceanyUnitedStatesorforeignofficial,ineitherthepublicorprivatesector,isprobablyillegalandregardless,iscompletelyunacceptableandagainstGoogle‘sCodeofConduct.Asalways,though,there‘sagrayareahere:youshouldtakegreatcautionwithanygiftsorotherinducementsthatcouldbeperceivedasbribes.Thatdoesn‘tmeanallminorgiftsorpromotionalandmarketingmaterialsareunacceptable(although,ingeneral,governmentofficialsintheUnitedStatesan