What is a code of conduct?

A code of conduct is a set of rules outlining the norms, rules, and responsibilities or proper practices of an individual party or an organization. It is often principles that represent what an employer expects from the staff of an organization. A code of conduct is closely related to a code of ethics.

When creating a code of conduct, the leadership of a company should lay out their expectations and communicate the ethical principles they feel are fundamental to seeing success. From there, these ideals should be related to behavior and practices they desire from staff to align with these principles on a day-to-day basis.