Business Code of Ethics Evaluation
PHL/323
June 25, 2012
Marcia Hotchkiss

Business Code of Ethics Evaluation
Brink’s is a secure logistics company who provides many different services to customers around the world. Brink’s mission is to provide end-to-end secure logistics worldwide driven by outstanding people and information technology (Brink's, 2012, para. 2). This means Brink’s transports, processes, and stores money and valuables for its customers all over the world. The most prominent portion of the company are the trucks seen by the public servicing customers on a daily basis, but many people do not see the variety of services Brink’s provides behind closed doors. In many cases Brink’s is the main, virtual vault, vault for many large banks around the world. They process deposits of cash and coin as well as pack change orders for businesses who are customers of the banks who employ Brink’s services. Brink’s also provides transportation of valuables, such as jewels, around the world with their Global Services or Air Courier services. Brink’s could not provide these services without having a code of ethics that ensures compliance with laws and to reduce internal loss of customer liability.
Ethical System and How it is Used
Brink’s ethical system is mostly a duty-based system taken from a legal standpoint due to the nature of its business. Most of the ethical standards Brink’s uses are centered on preventing loss and misuse of company and customer property. Brink’s employees have access to a large amount of information concerning its customers. Misuse of this information could have a detrimental effect on Brink’s customers and the public image of Brink’s.
The main purpose of this code in regards to employees is to inform them of what is expected of them in the workplace. It informs them of what is acceptable use of company and customer assets and of acceptable behavior. This is especially important for employees who are employed on trucks in view of the public. Ethical lapses by these employees could result in negative public image for the company as a whole. Employees are encouraged to report violations they may notice to their supervisors or managers, but if they feel someone is not acting in accordance with the code of ethics they can report it straight to human resources by calling an 800 number (Brink's, 2012).
Supervisors and managers use the code of ethics to ensure employees are informed and to enforce regulations set forth by the company. They must also adhere to the code of ethics, but is also their duty to enforce the code. Management teams must follow the code of ethics and lead by example or risk creating a culture in which employees think it is okay to violate the code. They should also be the first reporting authority for employees who notice a violation of the code, but if it is a member of the management team violating the code of ethics employees can report them to human resources.
Officers and the board of directors write the code of ethics and they are not above it. They write the code to make sure the company complies with applicable laws, but also to create a positive culture within the business. The code of ethics does provide a waiver for executive officers and directors, but it must be approved by the board or a board committee (Brink's, 2012). The code helps the officers and board determine their strategic goals and what projects the company should undertake in the future.
Modification of the Code of Ethics
Brink’s may need to make its code of ethics more detailed in certain areas. The portion of the code that covers the use of company property is vague in its wording. It says that employees must not be used for improper personal benefit or any other improper purpose, but with the amount of technology in use by Brink’s it is hard to monitor and enforce this rule (Brink's, 2012, p. 4). Recently, Brink’s has begun monitoring and blocking certain parts of the internet through its information technology department, but the code of ethics does not clearly state what the internet may or may not be used for. As the CEO I would send out an e-mail detailing what acceptable uses of the internet are, and inform employees, supervisors, and managers that they will be monitored by IT department. I would also have managers explain in more detail to their employees and make them sign a terms of use agreement to be kept in their personnel file. The waiver portion of the code needs to be more specific as well. It needs state what would be just cause for applying for a waiver, and how to apply for a hearing with the board of directors. Minor changes would make it easier to understand and enforce for all employees.
Reaction and Effects
Employee reaction to changes in the code of ethics would be minimal and positive. A more specific code of ethics will make employees feel more comfortable that they are complying with the code, and it will make them better suited to notice and report violations of the code to the proper authority. Employees who are used to using assets, such as the internet, for personal use may have a difficult time adjusting to the new rules, but should accept it without too many complaints. The effect on culture will probably not be very dramatic. All employees of Brink’s know and understand that Brink’s is a secure environment. It is everyone who works for Brink’s responsibility to maintain that environment, and adding specifics to the code of ethics will only make it easier to keep it that way.
Effect on the Organization
The code effects the organization mainly by reducing loss, and providing guidelines for employees to follow and management to enforce. It also helps to reduce cost by minimizing the number of people who have access to company assets, and reduces the losses of customers and customer liability. It makes it easier for employees to transfer between branches to help other branches or to transfer permanently with little to no adjustment time. This helps Brink’s provide an incentive to keep its good employees, and to exchange knowledge and ideas across the company.
Conclusion
The code of ethics for Brink’s is a very straight forward duty-based system with its roots in the legal aspects of their business. It is vague in certain areas, but that also allows the company a little flexibility. The business Brink’s is in requires the utmost regard for customer privacy, service, and protection. Brink’s code of ethics uses several laws to form its code and with good reason. Minor changes could be made to the code, but nothing is perfect and improving upon the code should always be a work in progress. Brink’s holds its employees to high standards because they must in order to remain a global leader in the world of secure logistics.

References
Brink's. (2012). About Us. Retrieved from http://www.us.brinksinc.com/heritage/heritage.aspx
Brink's. (2012). Corporate Governance. Retrieved from http://brinks.investorroom.com/index.php?s=116