We believe the honest and ethical conduct of our employees is an essential
prerequisite to our success as a company. There is a direct relationship between
the conduct of the Company and its employees, and the attainment of our corporate
mission and goals. Maintaining the highest standards of ethical behavior is
consistent with our core values of Humanity, Humility, Integrity and Excellence.
This Code of Ethics describes the standards of conduct to which our employees
are held accountable in all of their activities and interactions in their work
at Timberland. The Code outlines specific laws which must be adhered to, and
reflects general principles to be used in making ethical decisions. It cannot
and is not intended to address every specific situation. We strongly encourage
dialogue between employees and their supervisors to make everyone aware of situations
that may give rise to ethical questions and to articulate acceptable ways of
handling those situations. Any employee who has questions about the Code of
Ethics at any time is strongly urged to contact their Human Resource Manager
or Timberland's General Counsel for assistance.
This Code covers The Timberland Company, Timberland Retail, Inc., and all other
subsidiaries of The Timberland Company worldwide (collectively, "Timberland"
or the "Company" or "we" or "our").
It is applicable to all full and part-time, regular and temporary employees
of the Company, and members of the Company's Board of Directors ("Directors").
All employees and Directors must read and become familiar with the Code and
are expected to fully comply with the Code on an ongoing basis. All new employees
are required to sign and agree to abide by this Code of Ethics as a condition
of their employment. [Employees may be required to certify compliance with the
Code at least annually.]
The responsibility for oversight of the Code of Ethics is shared by the Legal
and Human Resources departments.
There are two general principles that employees may find helpful if confronted
with an ethical issue:
Do not hide a problem. Any employee who has questions or is unsure or uncomfortable
about particular situations should discuss them with his or her supervisor,
Human Resource Manager, Timberland's General Counsel, or any member of management.
Difficult legal or ethical issues should not be avoided.
GUIDELINES
1. Compliance with the Law
We all have the responsibility to ensure that we comply with the spirit and
letter of all laws and regulations of the United States, of each local and state
government, and of each foreign country in which the Company conducts business,
including all laws relating to employment, licensing, distributing, antitrust,
tax, equal opportunity, fair labor, securities, banking, currency, environmental,
and health and safety. No director, officer, executive or manager has authority
to violate any law or to direct another employee or any other person to violate
the law on behalf of the Company. If an employee is concerned that a foreign
law may be in conflict with a U.S. law, he or she should discuss it with Timberland's
General Counsel before taking any action. Following is more specific information
on certain laws:
a. Securities Laws: "Insider trading" is prohibited. Employees and
Directors may not trade in (or even recommend) Company stock while in possession
of inside information. "Insider trading" is the purchase or sale of
a publicly traded security while in possession of important non-public information
about the issuer of the security. Such information includes, for example, nonpublic
information on Company earnings, financial forecasts, significant gains or losses
of business, or major financing developments. The securities laws prohibit insider
trading, as well as "tipping", which is communicating such information
to anyone who might use it to purchase or sell securities. When in doubt, information
obtained as an employee of the Company should be presumed to be important and
not public. Timberland's Insider Trading Policy provides more details and applies
to all employees and Directors.
b. Antitrust Laws: The U.S. government, most U.S. state governments, the European
Economic Community and many other governments have enacted antitrust or "competition"
laws. These laws prohibit "restraints of trade" which is certain conduct
involving competitors, customers or suppliers in the marketplace. This conduct
includes activities such as making agreements with competitors on pricing or
markets, or making agreements with customers on retail price levels of the Company's
products
c. U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the "Act"): This Act generally
makes it unlawful to give anything of value to foreign government officials,
foreign political parties, party officials, or candidates for public office
for the purposes of obtaining, or retaining, business for the Company. The Act
outlines the types of penalties associated with non-compliance with the Act,
which include substantial fines for individuals and companies. Timberland's
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Policy provides more details and applies to all
Timberland operations, worldwide, and all Timberland employees.
2. Equal Opportunity
We are in full accord with the fundamental principle that all persons are entitled
to equal opportunities regardless of race, creed, religion, color, gender, sexual
orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, veteran
status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We believe an employee's
progress is to be measured by his or her aptitude, skills and performance. Timberland's
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy provides more details for employees.
3. Treatment of Others
We expect all employees to deal ethically with and treat everyone with respect,
courtesy, dignity and fairness, whether they are business partners, consumers,
internal Timberland personnel, or competitors. Timberland's Non-Harassment Policy
covers the Company's anti-harassment standards in more detail. It is our policy
to emphasize the excellence of our own products or concepts, and to refrain
from criticizing those of our competitors. No one should disparage a competitor
or its product, or take unfair advantage of others through manipulation, concealment,
abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts, or by
other unfair dealing practice.
4. Accuracy of Business Records, and Documents and Reporting
The Company will follow generally accepted accounting principles and will maintain
appropriate controls to ensure accurate and timely recording of accounting transactions
and the accuracy of financial records and reports, including those filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. We have adopted controls in accordance
with internal needs and the requirements of applicable laws and regulations.
These established accounting practices and procedures must be followed to assure
the complete and accurate financial recording and reporting. All employees,
within their areas of responsibility, are expected to adhere to these procedures.
Employees involved in import/export transactions should ensure that all required
documents are accurately completed and maintained, and that all import/export
transactions are conducted in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
No employee or Director may interfere with or seek to improperly influence,
directly or indirectly, the auditing of the Company's financial records. If
any employee becomes aware of any improper transaction or accounting practice
involving the Company, he or she should report the matter immediately (see Reporting
Procedures below).
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5. Conflict of Interest
Employees and Directors should take no action which may be viewed as a potential
conflict of interest between them and the Company. Such persons should avoid
situations which may place them in a conflict of interest with the Company or
which may create the appearance of a conflict. A conflict of interest can arise
when an individual has a direct or indirect financial or other interest which
might influence that person's judgment on behalf of the Company. A conflict
of interest can exist if there is the potential for influence, whether or not
the person's judgment is actually affected. In determining whether a conflict
exists, an individual should treat the interests of members of his or her immediate
family (spouse and children) in the same manner as they treat their own interests.
Whenever a potential conflict of interest appears to exist, an employee is responsible
for reporting the details to his or her supervisor for evaluation.
Specifically:
a) Employees should not use their positions for private or personal advantage
or gain.
b) Employees and members of their family should not accept or give any gifts
or favors which others may reasonably interpret as possibly inducing an employee
to disregard his or her duties to the Company. Gifts or favors of more than
a token nature (generally with a value of $50 or more) should not be accepted
from or given to anyone having a business relationship with the Company unless
there has been specific approval in advance from Timberland's President or Chief
Financial Officer.
c) Normal business entertainment, such as lunch, dinner, theater, a sporting
event, and similar activities, is appropriate if it is of a reasonable nature,
and in the course of a meeting or other occasion which includes bona fide business
discussions or fosters better business relations. All such type of entertainment
should be reported (in advance, if practical) by the employee to his or her
supervisor.
d) Employees should not hold a position anywhere else which might interfere
with his or her duties or responsibilities to the Company or which competes
with the Company. The Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Inventions Agreement
which all employees sign as a condition of employment provides more details
regarding non-competition.
e) Employees should have no financial interests in any supplier or distributor
or anyone else that has a business relationship with the Company unless Timberland's
General Counsel has given prior approval. Ownership of publicly traded securities
having a market value of less than $5000 is not considered to be in conflict
with this policy.
f) No agreement or arrangement, written or oral, should be entered into with
agents, distributors, vendors, brokers, lawyers or consultants in connection
with dealings with local, state, or federal government agencies in the United
States or in foreign countries without the knowledge and written approval of
Timberland's General Counsel.
6. Illegal Activity
Bribes, undercover payments, kickbacks (whether in the form of money or gifts)
and the like, whether made directly or indirectly through consultants or other
means, are not permitted under any circumstances.
7. Expense Accounts
Employees are expected not to misuse the expense reimbursement system and to
follow Timberlands' Travel & Entertainment Policy regarding the accurate
reporting of such expenses.
8. Use of Company Funds, Records and Assets
Employees should use Company assets only for lawful, proper and authorized
purposes. All Company funds are to be held only in Timberland's name. Transactions
with respect to funds and any other Company assets or liabilities must be recorded
in the books and records of the Company, and all entries must reflect accurately
the transaction giving rise to such entries. Payments by or to the Company are
to be made or received solely for the purpose described in the document supporting
such payments. Employees and Directors should protect the Company's assets and
ensure their efficient use. Theft, carelessness and waste impact our profitability.
9. Confidential Information
Employees may not discuss confidential information with anyone outside the
Company, including former employees. Employees shall share confidential information
within the Company on a "need to know" basis only. An employee may
not use confidential Company information for personal gain. Employees should
assume that all Company information is confidential until they know it has been
properly disclosed publicly. All employees sign a Confidentiality, Non-Competition
and Inventions Agreement as a condition of employment, which contains more details
regarding confidentiality obligations.
10. Political Contributions
We do not make contributions, directly or indirectly, to any political party
or candidate, in any country, even if such contributions are legal in that country.
We neither encourage nor discourage our employees from contributing personal
financial support or personal service to any domestic or foreign political nominee,
candidate, party or cause. However, we will not, under any circumstances, reimburse
employees for personal political contributions.
11. Stand on Issues
Employees are free to express their opinions on any issue. In instances where
an employee is asked to speak on a matter on which he or she personally holds
views contrary to the Company's position, he or she is free to decline to speak.
Any requests to speak on behalf of the Company should be referred to the Corporate
Communications department.
When an employee disagrees with the Company's position on an issue, he or she
should make it clear that he or she speaks as a private citizen and not as a
Timberland employee. This is particularly important if the position the employee
holds with Timberland is such that he or she might be assumed to be a Company
spokesperson.
REPORTING SUSPECTED NON-COMPLIANCE
All employees are expected to promptly report information about suspected violations
of this Code of Ethics, or of law, by the Company or its employees. Employees
are required to come forward with such information, regardless of the identity
or position of the other employee(s) involved. Failure to report Code violations
may result in disciplinary action against those who fail to report.
REPORTING PROCEDURE
Notification: It is each employee's responsibility to report promptly violations
or suspected violations of the Code. Reports can be made to the employee's supervisor,
the General Counsel, Human Resource Manager, or any member of management. Employees
may also use the Company's Integrity Line to make reports.
Investigation: Reports of violations will be investigated, and employees are
expected to cooperate in such investigations.
Confidentiality: Reports made using the Company's Integrity Line are completely
confidential (unless the employee making the report states otherwise). For reports
made in other ways, we will not disclose, to the extent possible, the identity
of anyone who reports a suspected violation or who participates in an investigation.
Employees should be aware that those participating in investigations are obligated
to act in the best interests of the Company and do not act as personal representatives
or lawyers for employees.
Protection Against Retaliation: Retaliation in any form against anyone who
reports in good faith a violation or suspected violation of this Code of Ethics
or of law, even if the report is mistaken, or who assists in the investigation
of a reported violation, is prohibited. Acts of retaliation should be reported
immediately to the Company's General Counsel or Human Resource Manager.
COMPLIANCE WITH THE CODE OF ETHICS
As part of our commitment to honest, ethical and legal conduct, we expect all
employees to conduct their work in compliance with this Code of Ethics. All
supervisors are responsible for ensuring compliance in all areas of their responsibility.
Code violations can result in disciplinary action up to and including employment
termination. Any waiver of this Code for Company officers or Directors may be
made only by the Company's Board of Directors.
RELEVANT RELATED POLICIES