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Youbet.com Code of Conduct
I. General Statement of Business Philosophy
The commitment to excellence is fundamental to the philosophy of Youbet.com. This
commitment to excellence means that employees share a common set of objectives and
benefit from the achievement of those objectives.
One essential objective is our conviction to uphold ethical standards in all our
corporate activities.
These standards apply to all the Company's activities in every market that it serves.
The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to strengthen the Company's ethical climate
and to provide basic guidelines for situations in which ethical issues arise.
We strive to do business with customers and suppliers of sound business character
and reputation.
We do not knowingly support any public or private organization which espouses discriminatory
policies or practices. We expect all our employees to perform their work with honesty,
truthfulness and integrity.
It is the policy of the Company to comply with all applicable laws, including, without
limitation, employment, discrimination, health, safety, antitrust, securities and
environmental laws. No director, officer, executive or manager of the Company has
authority to violate any law or to direct another employee or any other person to
violate any law on behalf of the Company.
Each employee and non-employee director of the Company is, and will be held, responsible
for the observance of this Code of Conduct. If any employee has questions about
any section of this Code of Conduct, he or she should direct all questions to his
or her immediate supervisor, the Youbet.com Compliance Officer, Human Resources,
or the Legal Department. If an employee becomes aware that another employee has
violated this Code of Conduct, he or she is obligated to report it in accordance
with procedures set forth below. No one has the authority to retaliate against an
employee who reports a possible violation. Failure to comply with any of the provisions
of this Code of Conduct subjects the employee to disciplinary measures up to and
including termination.
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II. Policies and Practices
A. Conflicts of Interest
A conflict of interest may arise in any situation in which an employee's loyalties
are divided between business interests that, to some degree, are incompatible with
the interests of the Company. All such conflicts should be avoided. The Company
demands absolute integrity from all its employees and will not tolerate any conduct
that falls short of that standard. The Company expects that no employee will knowingly
place himself or herself in a position that would have the appearance of being,
or could be construed to be, in conflict with the interests of the Company. Some
of the more sensitive areas of conflicts of interest and the Company's related guidelines
are as follows:
1. Accepting Gifts and Entertainment
The Company's aim is to deter givers of gifts from seeking or receiving special
favors from Company employees. (For guidelines concerning the giving of gifts to,
or entertainment of, customers and others by Company employees, employees are referred
to paragraph F., below) Accepting any gift of more than nominal value or entertainment
that is more than a routine social amenity can appear to be an attempt to influence
the recipient into favoring a particular customer, vendor, consultant or the like.
To avoid the reality and the appearance of improper relations with current or prospective
customers, vendors and consultants, employees should observe the following guidelines
when deciding whether or not to accept gifts or entertainment:
a. Gifts
Gifts such as merchandise or products, as well as personal services or favors may
not be accepted unless they have a value of less than $500. This dollar limit is
intended to serve as a guideline, and employees are urged to consult with the Compliance
Officer before accepting any gifts of more than nominal value. Gifts of any amount
may never be solicited. A gift of cash or securities may never be accepted.
In some international business transactions, it is customary and lawful for business
leaders in a host country to give gifts to Company employees. These gifts may be
of more than nominal value and under the circumstances returning the gifts or paying
for them may be an affront to the giver. In such a situation, the gift must be reported
to the employee's supervisor. In all other instances where gifts cannot be returned
and offering to pay for them would adversely affect continuing business relationships,
supervisors must be notified. In some cases, the gift may be retained by the Company,
at its sole discretion, and not the individual. For additional information please
reference the Youbet.com Tips and Gifts Policy (HR-1-B-18).
b. Entertainment
Normal business entertainment such as lunch, dinner, theater, a sporting event,
and the like, is appropriate if of a reasonable nature and in the course of a meeting
or another occasion, the purpose of which is to hold bona fide business discussions
or to foster better business relations. All such entertainment should be reported
(in advance, if practical) by the employee to his or her supervisor.
No employee may accept tickets or invitations to entertainment when the prospective
host will not be present at the event with the employee absent Compliance Officer
consent. For additional information please reference the Youbet.com Travel and Entertainment
Policy (FIN-1-N-1).
2. Outside Activities
It is the policy of the Company that no employee is to have a "free-lance" or "moonlighting"
activity that will materially encroach on the time or attention which should be
devoted to the employee's duties; adversely affect the quality of work performed;
compete with the Company's activities; imply sponsorship or support by the Company
of the outside employment or organization; or adversely affect the good name of
the Company. All free-lance or moonlighting activities require the prior written
approval of the employee's supervisor. Employees who free-lance or moonlight may
not use Company time, facilities, resources, or supplies for such work.
3. Interests in Other Businesses
Unless approved in advance by an employee's supervisor, neither an employee nor
his or her spouse, domestic partner, or any other member of the employee's immediate
family may directly or indirectly have a financial interest (whether as an investor,
lender, employee or other service provider) in a competitor, or in a customer or
supplier if that employee or his or her subordinates deal directly or indirectly
with that customer or supplier in the course of his or her job with the Company.
4. Use of Company Property and Information
All employees are responsible for the proper use of the Company's physical resources
and property, as well as its proprietary and other confidential information. Unless
otherwise prohibited by an employee's supervisor, reasonable incidental use of a
Company telephone, computer or other equipment is permitted.
a. Company Property and Facilities
Company property, facilities or physical resources may not be used for solicitation
or distribution activities which are not related to an employee's services to the
Company, except for charitable activities that have been approved in writing in
advance by the Company. Employee may not solicit any other employee during working
time, nor may employees distribute literature in work areas at any time. Under no
circumstances may an employee disturb the work of others to solicit or distribute
literature to them during their working time. Persons not employed by the Company
may not solicit Company employees for any purposes on Company premises.
Any employee found to be engaging in, or attempting, theft of any property of the
Company, including documents, equipment, intellectual property, personal property
of other employees, cash or any other items of value will be liable to immediate
summary dismissal and possible criminal proceedings against them. All employees
have a responsibility to report any theft or attempted theft to the Company's management.
b. Company Proprietary and Other Confidential Information
The Company operates in many different and extremely competitive markets. Every
employee should be aware that in any competitive environment, proprietary information
and trade secrets must be safeguarded in the same way that all other important Company
assets are protected.
Information concerning pricing, products and services that are being developed,
and other such trade secrets, including information pertaining to any prospective
Company acquisition or divestiture, must be held in the strictest confidence, and
reasonable prudence and care should be exercised in dealing with such information
in order to avoid inadvertent inappropriate disclosure.
This information must not be used in any way other than as required in performing
employment duties. All files, records and reports acquired or created in the course
of employment are the property of the Company. Originals or copies of such documents
may be removed from the Company's offices for the sole purpose of performing the
employee's duties to the Company and must be returned at any time upon request.
Employees must also abide by the provisions of the Company's Mutual Confidentiality
and Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreements.
c. Trademarks, Service Marks and Copyrights
Trademarks and service marks - words, slogans, symbols, logos or other devices used
to identify a particular source of goods or services - are important business tools
and valuable assets which require care in their use and treatment. No employee may
negotiate or enter into any agreement respecting the Company's trademarks, service
marks or logos without first consulting the Legal Department.
The Company also respects the trademark rights of others and any proposed name of
a new product, financial instrument or service intended to be sold or rendered to
customers must be submitted to the Legal Department for clearance prior to its adoption
and use. Similarly, using the trademark or service mark of another company, even
one with whom our Company has a business relationship, always requires clearance
or approval by our Legal Department, to ensure that the use of that other Company's
mark is proper.
Employees must avoid the unauthorized use of copyrighted materials of others and
should confer with the Legal Department if they have any questions regarding the
permissibility of photocopying, excerpting, electronically copying or otherwise
using copyrighted materials. In addition, simply because material is available for
copying, such as matter downloaded from the Internet, does not mean that it is automatically
permissible to copy or recirculate (by, for example, email or posting to an intranet
facility). All copies of work that is authorized to be made available for ultimate
distribution to the public, including all machine readable works such as computer
software, must bear the prescribed form of copyright notice. For additional information
please see the Youbet.com Copyright Publication Policy.
The Company is legally entitled to all rights in ideas, inventions and works of
authorship relating to its business that are made by employees during the scope
of their employment with the Company or using the resources of the Company ("Employee
Developments"). As a condition of employment, employees are required to promptly
disclose all Employee Ideas to their supervisor, and to execute the necessary documentation
to transfer all Employee Developments to Youbet.com to evidence their ownership,
or to obtain legal protection for them. For additional information please reference
the Youbet.com Associate Confidential Information and Inventions Agreement.
5. Company Political Involvement
Employees are free to exercise the right to make political contributions within
legal limits, unless such a contribution is otherwise prohibited by other policies
of the Company. The Company will not reimburse any employee for political contributions,
and employees should not attempt to receive or facilitate such reimbursements. Generally,
no contribution may be made with the expectation of favorable government treatment
in return. In any event, all contributions, by whomever made, are subject to a series
of complex and sometimes inconsistent sets of rules governing, among other things,
the amount of, and manner in which, contributions may be made. Any questions about
compliance should be directed to the Compliance Officer or Legal Department. In
addition, any political activity or contribution by an employee which might appear
to constitute an endorsement or contribution by the Company must be approved in
advance by the Compliance Officer or Legal Department.
B. Securities Laws
Employees may not trade in (or even recommend) Company stock based on 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, non-public information on Company earnings,
significant gains or losses of business, or the hiring, firing or resignation of
a Director or Officer of the Company. Insider trading, as well as "tipping", which
is communicating such information to anyone who might use it to purchase or sell
securities, are prohibited by the securities laws. When in doubt, information obtained
as an employee of the Company should be presumed to be important and not public.
Officers and directors of the Company are also prohibited from trading in Company
stock during any period in which participants in the Company's retirement plans
could not engage in a similar type of transaction.
Employees who have questions pertaining to the sale or purchase of a security under
circumstances that might involve confidential information or securities laws should
consult with the Compliance Officer or Legal Department. The Compliance Officer
or Legal Department may refer individuals to their personal attorneys. For further
information please reference the Youbet.com Insider Trading Policy.
C. Antitrust Laws
The federal government, most state governments, the European Economic Community
and many foreign 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. Their purpose is to ensure that markets
for goods and services operate competitively and efficiently, so that customers
enjoy the benefit of open competition among their suppliers and sellers similarly
benefit from competition among their purchasers. In the United States and some other
jurisdictions, violations of the antitrust laws can lead to substantial civil liability
- triple the actual economic damages to a plaintiff. Moreover, violations of the
antitrust laws are often treated as criminal acts that can result in felony convictions
of both corporations and individuals.
Strict compliance with antitrust and competition laws around the world is essential.
These laws are very complex. Some types of conduct are always illegal under the
antitrust laws of the Untied States and many other countries. Employees and other
representatives of the Company must be alert to avoid even the appearance of such
conduct. These are:
1. Agreements with competitors:
- to set prices or any other economic terms of the sale, purchase or license of goods
or services, to use a common method of setting prices, or to set any conditions
of sale or purchase;
- on any terms of a bid or whether or not to bid;
- to allocate or limit customers, geographic territories, products or services, or
not to solicit business from each other in one or more ways;
- not to do business with (to "boycott") one or more customers, suppliers, licensors
or licensees; and
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to limit production volume or research and development, to refrain from certain
types of selling or marketing of goods or services, or to limit or standardize the
features of products or services.
2. Agreements with customers or licensees on the minimum resale price or price levels
(e.g., discounts) of the Company's goods or services.
Other activities are not absolutely illegal, but will be legal in some market situations
and illegal in others. Some of these types of conduct involve agreements with third
parties such as competitors, customers, suppliers, licensees or licensors. Others
involve unilateral actions that may result in claims that the Company has monopolized
or attempted to monopolize a market. These types of conduct are described below:
- "Predatory" pricing, or pricing below some level of cost, with the effect of driving
at least some competition from the market;
- Exclusive dealing arrangements that require customers or licensees not to deal in
the goods or services of the Company's competitor;
- Reciprocal purchase agreements that condition the purchase of a product on the seller's
agreement to buy products from the other party;
- "Tying" arrangements, in which a seller conditions its agreement to sell a product
or service that the buyer wants on the buyer's agreement to purchase a second product
that the buyer would prefer not to buy or to buy elsewhere on better terms;
- "Bundling" or market share discounts in which the final price depends on the customer's
purchase of multiple products or on allocating a specified percentage of its total
purchases to the Company's products;
- "Price discrimination," or selling to different purchasers of the Company's products
at different prices or on other different economic terms of the purchase, or offering
different promotional allowances or services in connection with the customer's resale
of the products, without complying with the specific exceptions permitted under
the law; and
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Agreements with customers or licensees on the maximum resale price or price levels
of the Company's goods or services.
This Code of Conduct is not intended as a comprehensive review of the antitrust
laws, and is not a substitute for expert advice. If any employee has questions concerning
a specific situation, he or she should contact the Compliance Officer or Legal Department
before taking action.
D. International Operations
Laws and customs vary throughout the world, but all employees must uphold the integrity
of the Company in other nations as diligently as they would do so in the United
States. When conducting business in other countries, it is imperative that employees
be sensitive to foreign legal requirements and United States laws that apply to
foreign operations, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
The Foreign Corrupt Practices 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. Employees should contact the Compliance Officer or Legal Department
if they have any questions concerning a specific situation.
E. Relationships with Public Officials
Some employees do business with federal, state or local government agencies. All
employees engaged in business with a governmental body or agency must know and abide
by the specific rules and regulations covering relations with public agencies. Such
employees must also conduct themselves in a manner that avoids any dealings which
might be perceived as attempts to influence public officials in the performance
of their official duties.
F. Bribery, Kickback and Fraud
No funds or assets of the Company shall be paid, loaned or otherwise disbursed as
bribes, "kickbacks", or other payments designed to influence or compromise the conduct
of the recipient; and no employee of the Company shall accept any funds or other
assets (including those provided as preferential treatment to the employee for fulfilling
their responsibilities), for assisting in obtaining business or for securing special
concessions from the Company.
Company employees should conduct their business affairs in such a manner that the
Company's reputation will not be impugned if the details of their dealings should
become a matter of public discussion.
Employees must not engage in any activity, which degrades the reputation or integrity
of the Company.
To illustrate the strict ethical standard the Company expects every employee to
maintain, the following conduct is expressly prohibited:
- Payment or receipt of money, gifts, loans or other favors which may tend to influence
business decisions or compromise independent judgment;
- Payment or receipt of rebates or "kickbacks" for obtaining business for or from
the Company;
- Payment of bribes to government officials to obtain favorable rulings; and
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Any other activity that would similarly degrade the reputation or integrity of the
Company.
Any employee found to be receiving, accepting or condoning a bribe, kickback, or
other unlawful payment, or attempting to initiate such activities, will be liable
to termination and possible criminal proceedings against them. Any employee found
to be attempting fraud or engaging in fraud will be liable to termination and possible
criminal proceedings against them. All employees have a responsibility to report
any actual or attempted bribery, kickback or fraud to the Company.
G. Sanctions and Trade Embargoes
The United States government uses economic sanctions and trade embargoes to further
various foreign policy and national security objectives. Employees must abide by
all economic sanctions or trade embargoes that the United States has adopted, whether
they apply to foreign countries, political organizations or particular foreign individuals
and entities. Inquires regarding whether a transaction on behalf of the Company
complies with applicable sanction and trade embargo programs should be referred
to the Compliance Officer or the Legal Department.
H. Books and Records
All employees with supervisory duties should establish and implement appropriate
internal accounting controls over all areas of their responsibility to ensure the
safeguarding of the assets of the Company and the accuracy of its financial records
and reports. The Company has 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 recording
of all transactions. All staff, within their areas of responsibility, are expected
to adhere to these procedures, as directed by appropriate Company officers.
Any accounting adjustments that materially depart from GAAP must be approved by
the audit committee and reported to the Company's independent auditors. In addition,
all material off balance-sheet transactions, arrangements and obligations, contingent
or otherwise, and other relationships of the Company with unconsolidated entities
or other persons that may have material current or future effects on the financial
condition, changes in financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital
expenditures, capital resources or significant components of revenues or expenses
must be disclosed to the audit committee and the Company's independent auditors.
No employee or non-employee director may interfere with or seek to improperly influence,
directly or indirectly, the auditing of the Company's financial records. Violation
of these provisions shall result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination,
and may also subject the violator to substantial civil and criminal liability.
If an employee becomes aware of any improper transaction or accounting practice
concerning the resources of the Company, he or she should report the matter immediately
to his or her supervisor or to a member of the audit committee. Employees may also
file in good faith, a confidential, anonymous complaint with Youbet.com's Legal
Department if they have information regarding questionable accounting or auditing
matters.
There will be no retaliation against employees who disclose questionable accounting
or auditing matters.
I. Employment Policies
The Company is committed to fostering a work environment in which all individuals
are treated with respect and dignity. Each individual should be permitted to work
in a business-like atmosphere that promotes equal employment opportunities and prohibits
discriminatory practices, including harassment. Therefore, the Company expects that
all relationships among persons in the workplace will be business-like and free
of unlawful bias, prejudice and harassment. It is the Company's policy to ensure
equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, or any other status
protected by law. For additional questions or concerns please see Youbet.com's Harassment
in the Workplace Policy, Sexual Harassment Policy, and Equal Employment and Diversity
Policy.
It is the Company's policy to comply with all applicable wage and hour laws and
other statutes regulating the employer-employee relationship and the workplace environment.
To the extent the Company deals with labor unions, it is illegal under federal and
state law for the Company or any of its employees or agents to pay to or receive
anything of value from any labor organization.
No Company employee may interfere with or retaliate against another employee who
seeks to invoke his or her rights under the laws governing labor and employee relations.
If any employee has any questions about the laws or Company policies governing labor
and employee relations matters, he or she should consult the divisional intranet
or employee handbook or contact the Human Resources Department, Compliance Officer,
or the Legal Department.
The Company is committed to providing a safe workplace for all employees. In addition,
several laws and regulations impose responsibility on the Company to safeguard against
safety and health hazards. For that reason, and to protect the safety of themselves
and others, employees and other persons who are present at Company facilities are
required to follow carefully all safety instructions and procedures that the Company
adopts. Questions about possible health and safety hazards at any Company facility
should be directed immediately to the employee's supervisor.
J. Computer, E-mail and Internet Policies
Every employee is responsible for using the Company's computer system, including,
without limitation, its electronic mail (E-mail) system and the Internet (collectively,
the "Computer System"), properly and in accordance with Company policies. Youbet.com's
Internet and E-Mail Usage Policy is contained in the employee handbook. Any questions
about these policies should be addressed to the employee's immediate supervisor
or the Compliance Officer. Employees should be aware of, among other matters, the
following:
1. The Computer System Is Company Property
The computers that employees are provided or have access to for work and the E-
mail system are the property of the Company and have been provided for use in conducting
Company business. All communications and information transmitted by, received from,
created or stored in its Computer System (whether through word processing programs,
E-Mail, the Internet or otherwise) are Company records and property of the Company.
2. No Expectation of Privacy
The Company has the right, but not the duty, for any reason and without the permission
of any employee, to monitor any and all of the aspects of its Computer System, including,
without limitation, reviewing documents created and stored on its Computer System,
deleting any matter stored in its system, monitoring sites visited by employees
on the Internet, monitoring chat and news groups, reviewing material downloaded
or uploaded by users from the Internet, and reviewing Email sent and received by
users. Employees should not have an expectation of privacy in anything they create,
store, send or receive on the Computer System.
3. Professional Use of Computer System Required; Other Policies Apply
Employees are reminded to be courteous to other users of the system and always to
conduct themselves in a professional manner. The Company's policies against discrimination
and harassment (sexual or otherwise) apply fully to the Company's Computer System,
and any violation of those policies is grounds for discipline up to and including
discharge.
4. Offensive and Inappropriate Material; Illegal Activities
Company policies prohibit using the Company's Computer System to send or receive
messages or files that are illegal, sexually explicit, abusive, offensive or profane.
5. Solicitations
The Company's Computer System may not be used to solicit for religious or political
causes, commercial enterprises, outside organizations, or other activities not related
to an employee's services to the Company.
6. Copyrights and Trademarks
The Company's Computer System may not be used to send (upload) or receive (download)
copyrighted materials, trade secrets, proprietary financial information, or similar
materials.
Software owned personally by any Youbet Associate may not be used on Company computers
unless:
- Management approves such use in advance in writing,
- It has been verified that the software is licensed for use in the quantity and for
the purpose intended,
- Proof of purchase or equivalent information can be provided in support of the use
of the software, and
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The software has been screened for viruses in accordance with Company procedures.
Because of concerns for illegal copying and distribution, and possible introduction
of viruses onto the Company networks or computers, Youbet Associates should similarly
exercise the utmost caution with respect to importing and exporting software or
files through the internet or electronic bulletin boards.
For additional questions please refer to the Youbet.com Copyright Publication Policy.
K. Document Retention
The space available for the storage of Company documents, both on paper and electronic,
is limited and expensive. Therefore, periodic discarding of documents is necessary.
On the other hand, there are legal requirements that certain records be retained
for specific periods of time. Before disposing of documents, employees should consult
the Company Records Retention Policy. Employees who are unsure about the need to
keep particular documents should consult with their supervisor, so that a judgment
can be made as to the likelihood that the documents will be needed.
Whenever it becomes apparent that documents of any type will be required in connection
with a lawsuit or government investigation, all possibly relevant documents should
be preserved, and ordinary disposal or alteration of documents pertaining to the
subjects of the litigation or investigation should be immediately suspended. If
an employee is uncertain whether documents under his or her control should be preserved
because they might relate to a lawsuit or investigation, he or she should contact
the Legal Department.
L. Former Government Employees
Many laws restrict the hiring as an employee or retaining as a consultant of a government
employee other than secretarial, clerical, or other low salary grade employees.
These restrictions also cover informal arrangements for prospective employment under
certain circumstances. Therefore, written clearance must be obtained from the Legal
Department before discussing proposed employment with any current government employee
and before hiring or retaining any former government employee who left the government
within the past two years.
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III. Compliance with the Code of Conduct
All employees have a responsibility to understand and follow the Code of Conduct.
In addition, all employees are expected to perform their work with honesty and integrity
in any areas not specifically addressed by the Code of Conduct. A violation of this
Code of Conduct may result in appropriate disciplinary action including the possible
termination from employment with the Company, without additional warning.
The Company strongly encourages dialogue among employees and their supervisors to
make everyone aware of situations that give rise to ethical questions and to articulate
acceptable ways of handling those situations. In addition, each officer and supervisory
employee of the Company has an obligation to annually certify that he or she has
read and reviewed this Code of Conduct with his or her subordinates, and every employee
must certify that he or she has read this Code of Conduct and to the best of his
or her knowledge is in compliance with all its provisions.
The Code of Conduct reflects general principles to guide employees in making ethical
decisions and cannot and is not intended to address every specific situation. As
such, nothing in this Code of Conduct prohibits or restricts the Company from taking
any disciplinary action on any matters pertaining to employee conduct, whether or
not they are expressly discussed in this document. The Code of Conduct is not intended
to create any expressed or implied contract with any employee or third party. In
particular, nothing in this document creates any employment contract between the
Company and any of its employees.
The Board of Directors of Youbet.com has the exclusive responsibility for the final
interpretation of the Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct may be revised, changed
or amended at any time by the Board of Directors of Youbet.com.
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IV. Reporting Suspected Non-Compliance
A. General Policy:
To assist in the administration of the Code of Conduct, the Company has established
the position of Compliance Officer. As part of its commitment to ethical and legal
conduct, the Company expects its employees to bring to the attention of the Compliance
Officer, or any of the people he or she designates, information about suspected
violations of this Code of Conduct or of law by any Company employee or agent. Employees
who have information about suspected improper accounting or auditing matters should
bring it to the attention of their supervisors and/or a member of the audit committee,
or submit an anonymous complaint. Employees are required to come forward with any
such information, without regard to the identity or position of the suspected offender.
The Company will treat the information in a confidential manner (consistent with
appropriate evaluation and investigation) and will seek to ensure that no acts of
retribution or retaliation will be taken against anyone for making a report.
Because failure to report criminal activity can itself be understood to condone
the crime, we emphasize the importance of reporting. Failure to report knowledge
of wrongdoing may result in disciplinary action against those who fail to report.
B. Complaint Procedure
Notification of Complaint - Information about known or suspected violations by any
employee or agent should be reported promptly. Whenever practical an employee should
do so in writing.
Investigation - Reports of violations will be investigated under the Compliance
Officer's supervision, as he or she finds appropriate. Employees are expected to
cooperate in the investigation of reported violations.
Confidentiality - The Compliance Officer will not, to the extent practical and appropriate
under the circumstances to protect the privacy of the persons involved, disclose
the identity of anyone who reports a suspected violation or who participates in
the investigation. Employees should be aware that the Compliance Officer, and those
assisting him or her 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 an individual who
reports a violation of this Code of Conduct or of law, even if the report is mistaken,
or who assists in the investigation of a reported violation, is itself a serious
violation of this policy. Acts of retaliation should be reported immediately and
will be disciplined appropriately.
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Please indicate that you have received, read and will abide by this statement of
policy by signing your name and dating the attached acknowledgment and returning
it promptly to your supervisor.
Acknowledgment
I certify that I have received and read and that I will abide by the Youbet.com
Code of Conduct distributed to me on ____________ ____, 20__.
________________________________
(signature)
________________________________
(print your name)
Date: ___________________________
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