KEYON COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
Introduction
This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”)
of KeyOn Communications Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the “Company”), covers a wide range of business
practices and procedures. It does not cover every issue that
may arise, but it sets out basic principles to guide all
officers, directors and employees of the Company. All of
our officers, directors and employees must conduct themselves
accordingly and seek to avoid even the appearance of improper
behavior. The Code should also be provided to and followed
by the Company’s agents and representatives, including
consultants.
If a law conflicts with a policy in this Code, you must
comply with the law. This Code is also deemed incorporated
by reference into, and should be read in conjunction with
and in addition to, the Company’s standard employee
manual. If a specific provision of this Code conflicts
with a specific provision of the employee manual, you must
comply with the more restrictive of the two provisions.
If you have any questions about these conflicts, you should
ask your supervisor how to handle the situation.
Those
who violate the standards in this Code will be subject
to disciplinary action, up to and including termination
of employment. If you are in a situation which you believe
may violate or lead to a violation of this Code, follow
the guidelines described in Section 15 of this Code.
1. Compliance with Laws,
Rules and Regulations. Obeying the law, both in letter
and in spirit, is the foundation on which this Company’s ethical standards are built.
All officers, directors and employees must respect and
obey the laws of the cities, states and countries in which
we operate. Although not all officers, directors and employees
are expected to know the details of these laws, it is important
to know enough to determine when to seek advice from supervisors,
managers or other appropriate personnel. If reasonably
requested, the Company will, as practicable, hold information
and training sessions to promote compliance with laws,
rules and regulations, including insider trading laws.
2. Conflicts of Interest. A “conflict of interest” exists
when a person’s private interest interferes in any
way with the interests of the Company. A conflict situation
can arise when an employee, officer or director takes actions
or has interests that may make it difficult to perform
his or her Company work objectively and effectively. Conflicts
of interest may also arise when an employee, officer or
director or members of his or her family receives improper
personal benefits as a result of his or her position in
the Company. Loans to, or guarantees of obligations of,
employees and their family members may create conflicts
of interest.
It is almost always a conflict of interest for a Company
employee to work simultaneously for a competitor, customer
or supplier. You are not allowed to work for a competitor
as a consultant or board member. The best policy is to
avoid any direct or indirect business connection with our
customers, suppliers or competitors, except on our behalf.
Conflicts of interest are prohibited as a matter of Company
policy, except under guidelines approved by the Board of
Directors of the Company, if any. Conflicts of interest
may not always be clear-cut, so if you have a question,
you should consult with higher levels of management or
the Company’s legal
department. Any employee, officer or director who becomes
aware of a conflict or potential conflict should bring
it to the attention of a supervisor, manager or other appropriate
personnel or consult the procedures described in Section
15 of this Code.
3. Insider Trading. Officers, directors and employees who
have access to confidential information are not permitted
to use or share that information for stock trading purposes
or for any other purpose except the conduct of our business.
All non-public information about the Company should be
considered confidential information. To use non-public
information for personal financial benefit or to “tip” others
who might make an investment decision on the basis of this
information is not only unethical but illegal.
4. Corporate Opportunities. Officers, directors and employees
are prohibited from taking for themselves opportunities
that are discovered through the use of corporate property,
information or position without the consent of the Board
of Directors of the Company. No officer, director or employee
may use corporate property, information or position for
improper personal gain, and no officer, director or employee
may compete with the Company directly or indirectly. Officers,
directors and employees owe a duty to the Company to advance
its legitimate interests when the opportunity to do so
arises.
5. Competition and Fair Dealing. We seek to outperform
our competition fairly and honestly. Stealing proprietary
information, possessing trade secret information that was
obtained without the owner’s consent or inducing such disclosures by
past or present employees of other companies is prohibited.
Each officer, director and employee should endeavor to respect
the rights of and deal fairly with the Company’s
customers, suppliers, competitors and employees. No officer,
director or employee should take unfair advantage of anyone
through manipulation, concealment, abuse or privileged
information, misrepresentation of material facts or any
other intentional unfair dealing practice.
6. Gifts and Entertainment. The purpose of business entertainment
and gifts in a commercial setting is to create goodwill
and sound working relationships, not to gain unfair advantage
with customers. No gift or entertainment should ever be
offered, given, provided or accepted by any Company employee,
family member of an employee or agent unless it: (i) is
not a cash gift, (ii) is consistent with customary business
practices, (iii) is not excessive in value, (iv) cannot
be construed as a bribe or payoff and (v) does not violate
any laws or regulations. Please discuss with your supervisor
any gifts or proposed gifts which you are not certain are
appropriate.
7. Discrimination and Harassment. The diversity of the
Company’s
officers, directors and employees is a tremendous asset.
We are firmly committed to providing equal opportunity
in all aspects of employment and will not tolerate any
illegal discrimination or harassment of any kind. Examples
include derogatory comments based on racial or ethnic characteristics
and unwelcome sexual advances.
8. Health and Safety. The Company strives to provide each
employee with a safe and healthy work environment. Each
employee has responsibility for maintaining a safe and
healthy workplace for all employees by following safety
and health rules and practices and reporting accidents,
injuries and unsafe equipment, practices or conditions.
Violence and threatening behavior are not permitted. Employees
should report to work in condition to perform their duties,
free from the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol. The
use of illegal drugs in the workplace will not be tolerated.
9. Record-Keeping. The Company requires honest and accurate
recording and reporting of information in order to make
responsible business decisions. For example, only the true
and actual number of hours worked should be reported.
Many employees regularly use business expense accounts,
which must be documented and recorded accurately. If you
are not sure whether a certain expense is legitimate, ask
your supervisor or your controller.
All of the Company’s books, records, accounts and financial
statements must be maintained in reasonable detail, must
appropriately reflect the Company’s transactions and
must conform both to applicable legal requirements and to
the Company’s system of internal controls. Unrecorded
or “off the books” funds or assets should not
be maintained unless permitted by applicable law or regulation.
Business records and communications often become public,
and we should avoid exaggeration, derogatory remarks, guesswork
or inappropriate characterizations of people and companies
that could be misunderstood. This applies equally to electronic
mail, internal memoranda and formal reports. Records should
always be retained or destroyed according to the Company’s
record retention policies, if any. In accordance with those
policies, in the event of litigation or governmental investigation
please consult the Company’s legal department.
10. Confidentiality. Officers, directors and employees
must maintain the confidentiality of confidential information
entrusted to them by the Company or its customers, except
when disclosure is authorized by the Company’s legal
department or required by laws or regulations. Confidential
information includes all non-public information that might
be of use to competitors, or harmful to the Company or
its customers, if disclosed. It also includes information
that suppliers and customers have entrusted to us. The
obligation to preserve confidential information continues
even after employment ends. In connection with this obligation,
every employee should have executed a confidentiality agreement
when he or she began his or her employment with the Company.
11. Protection and Proper Use of Company Assets. All officers,
directors and employees should endeavor to protect the
Company’s
assets and ensure their efficient use. Theft, carelessness
and waste have a direct impact on the Company’s profitability.
Any suspected incident of fraud or theft should be immediately
reported for investigation. Company equipment should not
be used for non-Company business, though incidental personal
use may be permitted.
The obligation of officers, directors and employees to
protect the Company’s assets includes its proprietary
information. Proprietary information includes intellectual
property such as trade secrets, patents, trademarks and
copyrights, as well as business, marketing and service
plans, engineering and manufacturing ideas, designs, databases,
records, salary information and any unpublished financial
data and reports. Unauthorized use or distribution of this
information would violate Company policy. It could also
be illegal and result in civil or even criminal penalties.
12. Payments to Government Personnel. The U.S. Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act prohibits giving anything of value,
directly or indirectly, to officials of foreign governments
or foreign political candidates in order to obtain or retain
business. It is strictly prohibited to make illegal payments
to government officials of any country.
In addition, the U.S. government has a number of laws and
regulations regarding business gratuities which may be
accepted by U.S. government personnel. The promise, offer
or delivery to an official or employee of the U.S. government
of a gift, favor or other gratuity in violation of these
rules would not only violate Company policy but could also
be a criminal offense. State and local governments, as
well as foreign governments, may have similar rules. The
Company’s
legal department can provide guidance to you in this area.
13. Waivers of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
Any waiver of this Code for executive officers or directors
may be made only by the Board of Directors of the Company
(or a committee thereof) and will be promptly disclosed
as required by applicable law.
14. Reporting any Illegal or Unethical Behavior. Employees
are encouraged to talk to supervisors, managers or other
appropriate personnel about observed illegal or unethical
behavior and when in doubt about the best course of action
in a particular situation. It is the policy of the Company
not to allow retaliation for reports of misconduct by others
made in good faith by employees. Employees are expected
to cooperate in internal investigations of misconduct.
Any employee may submit a good faith concern regarding
questionable conduct without fear of dismissal or retaliation
of any kind.
15. Compliance Procedures. We must all work to ensure prompt
and consistent action against violations of this Code.
However, in some situations it is difficult to know if
a violation has occurred. Since we cannot anticipate every
situation that will arise, it is important that we have
a way to approach a new question or problem. These are
the steps to keep in mind:
• Make sure you have all the facts. In order to reach
the right solutions, we must be as fully informed as possible.
• Ask yourself: What specifically am I being asked
to do? Does it seem unethical or improper? This will enable
you to focus on the specific question you are faced with,
and the alternatives you have. Use your judgment and common
sense; if something seems unethical or improper, it probably
is.
• Clarify your responsibility and role. In most situations,
there is shared responsibility. Are your colleagues informed?
It may help to get others involved and discuss the problem.
• Discuss the problem with your supervisor. This is
the basic guidance for all situations. In many cases, your
supervisor will be more knowledgeable about the question,
and will appreciate being brought into the decision-making
process. Remember that it is your supervisor’s responsibility
to help solve problems.
• Seek help from Company resources. In the rare case
where it may not be appropriate to discuss an issue with
your supervisor, or where you do not feel comfortable approaching
your supervisor with your question, discuss it locally
with your office manager or your human resources manager.
• You may report ethical violations in confidence and
without fear of retaliation. If your situation requires
that your identity be kept secret, your anonymity will be protected.
The Company does not permit retaliation of any kind against
employees for good faith reports of ethical violations.
• Always ask first, act later. If you are unsure of
what to do in any situation, seek guidance before you act.
If you have any questions
regarding the foregoing, please feel free to contact the
Company’s Chief Financial
Officer at (402) 998-4020.
Adopted: August 9, 2007 |