Public Domain Excerpt from ExxonMobil Corporation Ethics Policy
Ethics Policy
The policy of Exxon Mobil Corporation is to comply with all governmental laws, rules, and regulations applicable to its business. The Corporation’s Ethics Policy does not stop there.
Even where the law is permissive, the Corporation chooses the course of highest
integrity. Local customs, traditions, and mores differ from place to place, and this must be recognized. But honesty is not subject to criticism in any culture. Shades of dishonesty simply invite demoralizing and reprehensible judgments.
A well-founded reputation for scrupulous dealing is itself a priceless corporate asset.
The Corporation cares how results are obtained, not just that they are obtained. Directors, officers, and employees should deal fairly with each other and with the Corporation’s suppliers, customers, competitors, and other third parties.
The Corporation expects compliance with its standard of integrity throughout the organization and will not tolerate employees who achieve results at the cost of violation of law or who deal unscrupulously. The Corporation’s directors and officers support, and expect the Corporation’s employees to support, any employee who passes up an opportunity or advantage that would sacrifice ethical standards.
It is the Corporation’s policy that all transactions will be accurately reflected in its books and records. This, of course, means that falsification of books and records, and the creation or maintenance of any off-the-record bank accounts are strictly prohibited.
Employees are expected to record all transactions accurately in the Corporation’s books and records, and to be honest and forthcoming with the Corporation’s internal and independent auditors. The Corporation expects candor from employees at all levels and adherence to its policies and internal controls.
One harm which results when employees conceal information from higher management or the auditors is that other employees think they are being given a signal that the Corporation’s policies and internal controls can be ignored when they are inconvenient. That can result in corruption and demoralization of an organization.
The Corporation’s system of management will not work without honesty, including honest bookkeeping, honest budget proposals, and honest economic evaluation of projects. It is the Corporation’s policy to make full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Corporation files with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and in other public communications.
All employees are responsible for reporting material information known to them to higher management so the information will be available to senior executives responsible for making disclosure decisions