Revision of a code of conduct for a leading food & beverage multinational
Code of conduct | read time: 2 min
The challenge
In 2023, a global food and beverage company asked GoodCorporation to refresh its code of conduct. The existing code, issued nearly twenty years prior and last updated in 2015, focused largely on traditional legal-compliance topics such as bribery and corruption, conflicts of interest and competition/antitrust.
While coverage of these areas was mostly sufficient, the code no longer reflected current best practice or the company’s broader ethical expectations. This created overlap, gaps and uncertainty for employees about where to look for what.
Our approach
GoodCorporation adopted a three-phase approach.
Phase I: Mapping, benchmarking and recommendations
- Document mapping: analysis of the existing code, statement of principles, supplier codes and related policies to clarify the code’s role within the company’s overall policy framework and understand the company’s commitments on ethical matters
- Benchmarking: comparison of the existing code against the GoodCorporation code of conduct benchmark and key comparator company codes to identify gaps and evaluate content scope, tone and style
- High-level recommendations: development of best practice recommendations including decision-making aids, policy links, speak-up mechanisms, scenarios and Q&As
Phase II: Taskforce workshop
To build ownership of the new code and encourage buy in from key stakeholders, GoodCorporation ran a workshop with a cross-functional taskforce from the company to review the benchmarking, solicit feedback and further subject matter expertise, and validate the recommendations.
Phase III: Drafting and design
Once the mapping, benchmarking and workshop had been concluded, the new code was drafted in the agreed style and structure.
We integrated new topics into the code, with clear behavioural expectations and links to underlying policies. We also adopted a warmer, more accessible tone by moving from an authoritative third-person style to direct, inclusive language. We placed more emphasis on workplace culture, including guidance on expectations around dignity, bullying, inclusion and harassment.
Key to the successful development of the new code text was ensuring that the expectations of behaviour it set out aligned with the company’s statement of principles and core values.
Reflecting best practice
To ensure that the revised code reflects best practice, in addition to the updated broader content covering ethical risks, we also included:
- Employee-centred real-life scenarios
- Q&As
- A simple ethical decision-making diagram
- Enhanced access to speak-up information
- Signposting to related policies and key points of contact for each topic
Finally, we refreshed the look and feel with a modern, image-led design suitable for digital access and translation.
Why it mattered
Expectations of corporate conduct have grown significantly since the previous code was developed nearly two decades ago. Stakeholders can now look for clear guidance on human rights, sustainability, data and digital ethics, responsible marketing, workplace conduct and external engagement alongside core legal compliance topics, such as conflicts of interest and bribery and corruption.
By repositioning the code as the primary gateway to ethical conduct and decision-making, the company now offers employees a single practical reference point. Feedback from company leadership and internal stakeholders was extremely positive – with the new code being a tool that people are proud to talk about.
With over twenty years of experience and a unique code of conduct database, GoodCorporation can help build a code of conduct that goes beyond mere statements of intent, creating meaningful documents that reflect a company’s ethical commitments and instil a sense of ownership. We also work closely with companies to ensure the efficient and effective deployment of codes across the business. For more information visit our Code of conduct development page or contact us to speak to a member of the team.
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