Our commitment to high ethical standards includes understanding
how to adapt to changes in technology, laws and how we conduct
business. As a result, our company has evolved to match our
business environment, and that includes updating our Code of
Conduct.
A cross-functional team of Kimberly-Clark leaders performed
extensive research evaluating codes of conduct from various Fortune
100 companies. Based on this input, the team revised our Code of Conduct (last updated in 2005) to
ensure it reflects our values and meets or exceeds what other peer
companies have in place.
As an example, the team revisited the languages that our
employees speak around the globe, and added 10 more to ensure
everyone can comfortably read and understand the new Code. For
employees without frequent computer access, supporting posters and
brochures were provided to facility managers for posting in
high-traffic areas.
Other new features found in the new Code include richer
examples, tips and checklists, and links to relevant policies to
help employees solve and navigate ethical dilemmas regardless of
location. This new and improved Code ensures that all employees can
be held accountable for their compliance to the Code of Conduct and
reporting suspected violations.
Our commitment to high ethical standards was recognized by
GovernanceMetrics International, which ranked Kimberly-Clark
in the top 1 percent among more than 4,000 companies surveyed
in its most recent rating. The top-ranking companies were
recognized for best-in-class corporate governance standards.
