CLSI Volunteer Code of Conduct and Business Ethics

Integrity is one of the fundamental tenets to which CLSI is committed in carrying out its mission. As part of this commitment, every volunteer is expected to comply with all applicable CLSI policies as well as all the laws and regulations that apply to our organization. While it is not possible for anyone to know all aspects of every applicable law, we need to understand the significant laws and regulations that apply to our business. 

CLSI’s Code of Business Conduct (“Code”) is intended to help ensure compliance with the highest legal and ethical standards. It is designed to help us understand some of the key rules that apply to our business and to provide guidelines on how to do the right thing when we encounter a difficult ethical situation. We all need to know and follow the Code.

1. We strive to build trust and credibility.

The success of our mission is dependent on the trust and confidence we earn from our constituents, customers, and fellow volunteers. We gain credibility by adhering to our commitments, displaying honesty and integrity, and reaching organization goals solely through honorable conduct. It is easy to say what we must do, but the proof is in our actions. Ultimately, we will be judged on what we do.

When considering any action, it is wise to ask: will this build trust and credibility for CLSI? Will it help create a working environment in which CLSI can succeed over the long term? Is the commitment I am making one with which I can follow through? The only way we will maximize trust and credibility is by answering “yes” to those questions and by working every day to build our trust and credibility.

2. We respect the individual.

We all deserve to work in an environment where we are treated with dignity and respect. CLSI is committed to creating such an environment because it brings out the full potential in each of us, which, in turn, contributes directly to our mission’s success. We cannot afford to let anyone’s talents go to waste.

CLSI is an equal employment/affirmative action employer and is committed to providing a workplace that is free of discrimination of all types from abusive, offensive, or harassing behavior. This commitment applies to our volunteer workforce as well.

All CLSI volunteers are asked to support an inclusive work environment by adhering to the following conduct standards:

• Treat others with dignity and respect at all times.
• Address and report inappropriate behavior and comments that are discriminatory, harassing, abusive, offensive, or unwelcome.
• Foster teamwork and participation, encouraging the representation of different volunteer and employee perspectives.
• Seek out insights from colleagues with different experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds.
• Avoid slang or idioms that might not translate across cultures.
• Confront the decisions or behaviors of others that are based on conscious or unconscious biases.
• Be open-minded and listen when given constructive feedback regarding others’ perception of your conduct.

CLSI will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or any behavior or language that is abusive, offensive, or unwelcome.

3. We create a culture of open and honest communication.

At CLSI, everyone should feel comfortable speaking his or her mind, particularly with respect to ethics concerns. We all benefit tremendously when volunteers exercise their power to prevent mistakes or wrongdoing by asking the right questions at the right times.

CLSI will investigate all reported instances of questionable or unethical behavior. In every instance where improper behavior is found to have occurred, the organization will take appropriate action. We will not tolerate retaliation against anyone who raise genuine ethics concerns in good faith.

4. We set the tone at the top.

Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs have the added responsibility for demonstrating, through their actions, the importance of this Code. In any business, ethical behavior does not simply happen; it is the product of clear and direct communication of behavioral expectations, modeled from the top and demonstrated by example. Again, ultimately, our actions are what matters.

To make our Code work, Committee Leadership must promptly address ethical questions or concerns raised by volunteers by swiftly communicating concerns to Program Managers. Program Managers will work with CLSI Leadership and Committee leadership to resolve these concerns.  At CLSI, we want the ethics dialogue to become a natural part of daily work. 

5. We uphold the law.

CLSI’s commitment to integrity begins with complying with laws, rules, and regulations where we do business. If we are unsure of whether a contemplated action is permitted by law or CLSI policy, we should seek the advice from  the designated CLSI Liaison to the Committee. We are responsible for preventing violations of law and for speaking up if we see possible violations.

Competition 

We are dedicated to ethical, fair, and vigorous competition. We will sell CLSI products and services based on their merit, superior quality, functionality, and competitive pricing. We will make independent pricing and marketing decisions and will not improperly cooperate or coordinate our activities with our competitors. We will not offer or solicit improper payments or gratuities in connection with the purchase of goods or services for CLSI or the sales of its products or services, nor will we engage or assist in unlawful boycotts of particular customers.

Proprietary Information 

It is important that we respect the property rights of others. We will not acquire or seek to acquire improper means of a competitor’s trade secrets or other proprietary or confidential information. We will not engage in unauthorized use, copying, distribution or alteration of software or other intellectual property.

Selective Disclosure

We will not selectively disclose (whether in one-on-one or small discussions, meetings, presentations, proposals or otherwise) any material nonpublic information with respect to CLSI, its securities, business operations, plans, financial condition, results of operations or any development plan.

6. We avoid conflicts of interest.

We must avoid any relationship or activity that might impair, or even appear to impair, our ability to make objective and fair decisions when performing our duties. At times, we may be faced with situations where the actions we take in support of CLSI’s mission may conflict with our own personal or family interests, and we owe a duty to CLSI to disclose those interests as they arise. We must never use CLSI property or information for personal gain or personally take for ourselves any opportunity that is discovered through our position with CLSI. CLSI has a Conflict of Interest policy that must be reviewed and signed annually.

7.  We are careful to consider the appropriateness of nominal gifts and business courtesies

Gifts, Gratuities and Business Courtesies 

CLSI is committed to competing solely on the merit of our products and services. CLSI employees avoid any actions that create a perception that favorable treatment of outside entities by CLSI was sought, received, or given in exchange for personal business courtesies.  In certain instances, this careful consideration can and should apply to volunteers working on behalf of CLSI’s mission. Business courtesies include gifts, gratuities, meals, refreshments, entertainment or other benefits from persons or companies with whom CLSI does or may do business. We will neither give nor accept business courtesies that constitute, or could reasonably be perceived as constituting, unfair business inducements that would violate law, regulation or polices of CLSI or customers, or would cause embarrassment or reflect negatively on CLSI’s reputation.

8. We report results accurately.

CLSI is widely regarded as the Gold Standard for laboratory medicine practice.  Both experimental and epidemiological data must be reported accurately and assessed using appropriate and accepted statistical methods including methods for data outliers.  Objective and valid reporting of all data, whether obtained experimentally, or referenced from peer-reviewed publications, is critical in ensuring the integrity of CLSI documents and products.

9. We are accountable to each other and to the Code of Ethics

Each of us is responsible for knowing and adhering to the values and standards set forth in this Code and for raising questions if we are uncertain about organization policy. If we are concerned whether the standards are being met or are aware of violations of the Code, we must contact CLSI leadership.

CLSI takes seriously the standards set forth in the Code, and violations are cause for disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

10. We do not disclose confidential and proprietary information.

Integral to CLSI’s business success is our protection of confidential organization information, as well as nonpublic information entrusted to us by employees, customers, and other business partners. Confidential and proprietary information includes such things as pricing and financial data, customer and member names/addresses, or nonpublic information about other companies, including current or potential supplier and vendors. We will not disclose confidential and nonpublic information without a valid business purpose and proper authorization.