VALHADEN Social Media Guidelines

Whether or not you, as a VALHADEN (VHN) employee, choose to create or participate in social networking or any other form of online publishing or discussion is your own choice. In general, what you do on your own time is your business. However, company policies and guidelines still cover activities that affect your job performance, the performance of other VHN employees, or VHN’s business interests. This applies whether you engage in these activities in or outside of work and whether you identify as a VHN employee.  If you choose to participate in these types of online activities, it is important that you understand what is recommended, expected, and required, whether at work or on your own time.

Accordingly, we have developed the following guidelines for you to follow when posting online with some form of social media like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Be thoughtful about how you present yourself in online social networks. The lines between public and private and personal and professional are blurred in online social networks. If you identify yourself as a VHN employee or are known to be one, you are now connected to your co-workers, Leaders, and even VHN’s customers. You should ensure that the content associated with you is consistent with VHN policies.

Respect your audience, and your coworkers

Remember that VHN is an organization whose employees and customers reflect diverse customs, values, and points of view. Don’t be afraid to be yourself, but do so respectfully. This includes not only the obvious (no ethnic slurs, personal insults, obscenity, etc.) but also topics that may be considered offensive or inflammatory. Use your best judgment, but if you need further guidance regarding what constitutes inappropriate communications, please consult VHN’s Harassment Policy or discuss with a member of upper management.

Respect the privacy of your coworker's

Social networks, and other communication tools should not be used for internal communications among fellow employees. 

It is fine for VHN employees to disagree, but please don’t use your external public social media to air your differences. Do not discuss your co-workers without their permission, and ask permission before posting their picture. By respecting your co-workers’ privacy, you will be helping to maintain the professional work environment at VHN.

Respect the privacy of our customers

It is a priority that we respect the privacy of our customers. Do not use or discuss any information regarding customers for any purpose. This includes contacting customers for social reasons or soliciting outside businesses.

Use a disclaimer

When VHN wishes to communicate publicly as a company, it has well-established means to do so. Only those individuals officially designated by VHN have the authority to speak on behalf of the company. If you identify yourself as a VHN employee, however, people may confuse your opinions with those of the company. In order to avoid this problem, you must make clear that you are writing for yourself and on your own behalf and not for VHN. At a minimum, we strongly recommend that you include a disclaimer similar to the following: “the postings on this site are my own and do not represent VHN’s opinions or positions.”

Protect VHN’s confidential information

As a VHN employee; you are obligated to protect the company's confidential, proprietary, and trade secret information. This obligation is laid out in several places, including the Intellectual Property Agreement you signed when hired and in VHN’s Confidentiality Policy & Pledge. For example, do not discuss any VHN confidential information, including financial or business performance and the timing, pricing, or design of VHN's products. Also, do not post pictures of the inside of VHN buildings – including the manufacturing and office spaces – as those are not generally made public. Finally, do not post or disclose the contents of any VHN policy. These documents are intended for the use of VHN employees and not for public distribution.

Respect copyright and fair-use laws

For VHN’s protection as well as your own, it is critical that you comply with all laws governing copyright and fair use of copyrighted material owned by others. For example, this means you should not be using VHN logos or images for your own personal use. Also, you may not copy, digitize, alter or distribute any part of a copyrighted work without first obtaining written permission from the copyright owner. For more information, please refer to VHN’s use of copyrighted materials section of our Intellectual Property Policy.

Don’t use your VHN email for personal use

Your VHN email address has been given to you for use at work. Therefore, you should not use your VHN email address in your personal posting on social network sites. Please use another personal email address for those types of communications.  In sum, use your best judgment. Remember there may be consequences to what you post or publish online, including discipline, if you engage in conduct that VHN deems inappropriate or violates any VHN policies. If you’re about to post something and you are concerned about whether you are following these guidelines or any VHN policy, please discuss it with your direct supervisor or a member of upper management before posting.

Confidential, Proprietary, and Trade Secret Information

VHN recognizes that its confidential, proprietary, and trade secret information and that of third parties constitute our competitive advantage in the marketplace. VHN takes steps to protect its own confidential information and respects the confidential information of others. As a result, VHN expects all employees to take responsibility for protecting these sources of confidential information. VHN identifies, classifies, and protects all of its valuable business information from intentional or inadvertent disclosure, loss, modification, destruction, and copying. You may not disclose VHN confidential information to an outside party unless a written agreement or license has been previously signed and approved by the division vice president.

Likewise, VHN respects the confidential information of others. You may not use or disclose any such third-party information unless you are authorized by the third party to do so and until you have signed a confidentiality agreement with VHN.

Examples of VHN confidential information include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Sales and financial information of any kind, including individual metrics, product availability, and constraints

• Information shared through meetings, corporate meetings, and any internal VHN resource

• Hiring and training information, including salaries and bonus programs.

• VHN policies and procedures.

Employee Personal Websites

As a VHN employee, you are often the first on the block to see and touch new VHN products. While you may create personal websites, you may not display photographs, articles, or commentary about VHN products, services, or initiatives.

Posting Messages on Websites

As a VHN employee, you represent all the VHN brands. While you can view any website on your own time, you may not post messages or commentary on VHN-related websites, whether you identify as a VHN employee or not.

Speculating on Rumors

Refrain from speculating on anything VHN has not officially announced, even if a customer presses you for a personal opinion or indicates an interest in making a substantial purchase. Information leaks can potentially damage VHN’s interests, and VHN has zero tolerance for those who leak information. When you began working for VHN, you agreed to keep VHN’s confidential information within the workplace, including any information you receive from an internal VHN source. Be cautious of conversations with other employees in public places. Customers often overhear these conversations, which can lead to misinformation. Do not confirm or deny any information, even if customers pressure you by saying they are about to make or influence a substantial purchase or refer to non-VHN websites as sources of information.

Refer to the following speaking points

VHN does not comment on rumors about decisions, products, programs, or promotions that have not been officially announced by VHN.  By withholding comment, VHN hopes to protect customers from making decisions based on information that is incomplete, inaccurate, or subject to change before the formal announcement.  VHN believes this is the best way to ensure that all customers are treated fairly.

In addition to the above, speculating on rumors with internal VHN colleagues is strictly prohibited. Only those individuals on the Company’s official disclosure list are entitled to receive and discuss information pertaining to unannounced Company information.

The Way We Do Business

VHN conducts business ethically, honestly, and in full compliance with all laws and regulations. This applies to every business decision in every area of the company.

VHN’s Principles of Business Conduct:

VHN’s success is based on designing innovative, high-quality products and services and on demonstrating integrity in every business interaction. VHN’s principles of business conduct define the way we do business.

These principles are:

·   Honesty. Demonstrate honesty and high ethical standards in all business dealings.

·   Respect. Treat customers, suppliers, employees, and others with respect and courtesy.

·   Confidentiality. Protect VHN’s information and the information of our customers, suppliers, and employees.

·   Community. Conduct business in a way that benefits the communities in which we operate.

·   Compliance. Ensure that business decisions comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Making the Right Decisions (When facing a tough decision)

Use good judgment. Apply VHN’s principles of business conduct, review our policies, review legal requirements, and then decide what to do. Need some help? When in doubt about how to proceed, discuss pending decisions with your direct supervisor or any upper management member.

Your Responsibilities

VHN’s  Code of Conduct applies to employees, independent contractors, consultants, and others who do business with VHN. All such individuals are expected to comply with VHN’s  Code of Conduct policy and principles and with all applicable legal requirements. VHN retains the right to discipline (up to and including termination of employment) or end working relationships with those who do not comply.