Ethical and Socially Responsive Business Essay

Some of the key areas of Chipotle’s code of conduct that are of significant importance to the business is the integrity statement and the anti-discrimination, harassment and sexual harassment policy. In the Chipotle’s Ethics and Conflicts of Interest Policy of the Integrity Statement, integrity is about being real and being honest. It means doing the right thing even when no one is watching. That means that you should do the same thing when your manager or co-workers is around or if they aren’t around. No matter what, each of them must accept personal responsibility for doing the right thing. Whether that means when someone is around or not. It also states that they should not accept gifts from competitors, suppliers, vendors, potential vendors, or business entities with which they are conducting business on behalf of Chipotle. When accepting gifts: they should never accept a gift unless it meets all of the following criteria: (1) it is not a cash gift; (2) it is consistent with customary business practices; (3) it is not excessive in value (i.e., is under $150); (4) it cannot be construed as a bribe or payoff; and (5) it does not violate any law or regulation. If you are not sure whether a gift or proposed gift is appropriate, please discuss it with your Manager/Director, who may, in isolated cases, approve your acceptance of a gift that may otherwise have violated criteria (2) or (3). Each year, employees in management positions should be prepared to submit a statement disclosing any entertainment, gifts, or services that they or members of their staff have accepted. Any items that have been accepted must be reported at that time, regardless of whether they were previously discussed with your Manager/Director. Your Manager/ Director will determine if you may keep the gift, return it, or whether it should more appropriately become Company property. You should never offer, give, or provide a gift unless it meets the following criteria: (1) it is not a cash gift; (2) it is consistent with customary business practices; (3) it is not excessive in value (i.e., is under $150); (4) it cannot be constructed as a bribe or payoff; and (5) it does no t violate any  law or regulation. Just like when receiving gifts, if you are not sure whether a gift or proposed gift is appropriate, discuss it with your Manager/Director, who may, in isolated cases, approve your giving of a gift that may otherwise have violated criteria (2) or (3). I think that this is important when receiving or giving gifts because you don’t want to lose your job over something so small. It is also a good idea to have something like this written down because for someone who doesn’t know any better, it will help them out a lot. You may accept entertainment invitations, such as business meals, if they are in line with accepted business practices, could not be constructed as potentially influencing your business judgment or creating an obligation on your part, and if public knowledge of your participation would not embarrass you or Chipotle. When such business activities occur frequently, such costs should be shared or paid for on reciprocal basis. You should always be professional. Act professionally and conscientiously when making business decisions. Personal relationships should never interfere, or give the appearance of interfering, with business actions, judgments, or decisions. When making decisions, weigh all factors impartially and without prejudice and make all decisions solely based on merit. You should honor your agreements and do not encourage or interfere with other parties’ contracts or agreements. Avoid legal speculation or conclusions in your communications. And you should not discuss areas beyond your knowledge or expertise. This is really important because I think that you should act and be professional on any job that is out here. The Anti-Discrimination, Harassment and Sexual Harassment Policy states; Chipotle believes in the value of a diverse workforce, equal opportunity, and a workplace free of discrimination and all forms of unlawful harassment. Chipotle prohibits unlawful discrimination, harassment, and sexual harassment. Employees who violate this policy may be disciplined up to and including termination. Chipotle strongly believes that employees and applicants for employment should be treated without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other prohibited basis. This applies to all employment practices. At Chipotle, no form of harassment is acceptable. This includes joking remarks or other abusive conduct (including verbal, non-verbal, or physical conduct)  that demeans or shows hostility. Sexual harassment is also prohibited because it may be intimidating or an abuse of power and it is inconsistent with their policies, practices, and management philosophy. Discrimination or harassment of an employee-whether by another employee, supplier, vendor, or customer-is strictly prohibited. This policy I think is the most important because without this policy, so many people can harassed and scared to tell someone about it. Also the anti-discrimination policy is important because of the fact that a lot of women are discriminated against a lot of jobs out here because the mangers think that they aren’t fit for them. Some of the key steps that Chipotle should take to ensure that employees follow the code of conduct would be to have them read it when they are first hired. And then every 2 or 4 months they could give them tests on it to make sure they know and understand it. They can also make sure the managers are up to date on the code of conduct as well. Some ways in which Chipotle can engage in socially responsive activities in the community within it is operated. They can donate all their unused food to homeless shelters. They can do special deals for the senior citizens and for veterans other than Veterans Day. They can build customer relationships. They can do that by having loyalty programs. They must have good customer service or their customer’s will not return. Resources (1) Chipotle Code of Conduct (2) http://www.grouponworks.com/merchant-blog/marketing/four-easy-ways-to-build-customer-relationships-resturant/ (3) http://smallbusiness.chron.com/rules-conduct-resturant-employees-18671.html