However, if the vendor tells you to have a night out without the vendor present and submit your receipt for payment, you should decline as that arrangement is akin to a cash gift. It's a setup that's supposed to encourage collaboration by eliminating workplace. And that's where we're breaking new ground. We are all protectors and cultivators of the Zappos culture; it's what makes it unique and something that grows every day. But the consistency is in our belief that we function best when we can be ourselves. By working as a team, by partnering, you are setting the stage for success! Besides being distinctive, these beliefs create a framework for Zappos actions. To outsiders, that might come across as inconsistent or weird. Although it was . Ask yourself: How can you do what you're doing more efficiently? In the end, all the employees that were laid off received an amazing six months of COBRA health insurance coverage, paid for by the company. This self-inflicted evolution can lead to positive growth and a more forward-facing structure that is built for the future, but it can also be destructive to a corporate culture that people rely on for consistency and security. t. Falsedeveloping relationships with charities helps the employees develop strong codes of personal ethics. At Zappos our 10 Core Values are more than just words, they're a way of life. A two percent or less equity interest in a company whose stock is publicly traded will not be deemed significant absent other complicating factors, such as circumstances that cause such investment to potentially influence the persons judgment on Company matters or to amount to management participation in such other company. Past epic party themes have ranged from Mardi Gras and old-school hip-hop to a Hawaiian luau at a waterpark. As we continue to grow, we strive to ensure that our culture remains alive and well. Wouldn't you rather work for a company whose focus on culture allows your job to integrate with your life? Zappos public communications should contain full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure. It is our policy to employ only persons who do not engage in other business activities that compete with or sell to or buy from Zappos or Amazon. In one way or another, the concepts of integrity, honesty and commitment contained in this Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the Code of Conduct) are already touched on in our Core Values and currently exist in our company culture. Values Determine Stakeholder Perspectives The stakeholders at Zappos are influenced by the company's core values, which are effectively displayed in the organizations involvement with customers, community and socially responsibilities. Have you WOWed at least one person today? In response to these situations Zappos contacted each customer informing them of the predicament they were in. At Zappos, delivering WOW customer service, building relationships, and learning the company culture is a top priority. Remember Core Value #1 Deliver WOW through Service. Ask yourself: Are you taking enough risks? The use of illegal drugs in the work place will not be tolerated. We want the company to have a unique and memorable personality. Be Adventurous, Creative, and Open-Minded 5. Your culture doesn't stay the same, it will continue to evolve. What can you do with your team members so that you feel both like a family and a team? Something unique that Zappos does is allow brand representatives access to all the same sales and inventory information on their products that Zappos has. http://about.zappos.com/our-unique-culture/zappos-core-values Are you a better person today than you were yesterday? We believe that customer service shouldnt be just a department, it should be the entire company.. Is Zappos's supply chain ethical? In addition, you must remain alert to the many other ways in which outside business relationships, other professional or consulting activities for compensation, including directorships, and other activities might give rise to other conflicts of interest. Accordingly, you may not take for yourself opportunities in Zappos area of business that you discover through the use of Zappos property, information or position. We never want to become complacent and accept the status quo just because that's the way things have always been done. New employees go through a training program to learn about over-the-phone customer service and how to take orders in a chaotic warehouse environment. Accordingly, all political contributions with Zappos funds are coordinated and approved by the Zappos Finance and Legal Departments. How much fun do you have in your job, and what can you do to make it more fun? Also check out this interview with Andy Orsow who's a UX Manager at Zappos. There are many stories regarding the remarkable things that Zappos employees have done for their customers. Thanks to the contributors to this project. Ask yourself: What are things you can improve upon in your work or attitude to WOW more people? Be Adventurous, Creative, and Open-Minded, Build Open and Honest Relationships With Communication, Challenges the status quo or common wisdom, Is comfortable with chaos and uncertainty. This abstract system eliminates managers and much of the corporate hierarchy in favour of esoteric, philosophical concepts and flat, self-directed leadership. Zappos has addressed some critical challenges, handling them with agility, strength, and precision. A story that changed our perspective of Zappos is about a customer who returned her husbands shoes after he passed away. Any suspected fraud or theft should be immediately reported to your supervisor, or the director or Vice President of your department or business division. What new relationships can you build throughout your company beyond just the co-workers that you work with on a daily basis? Zappos has always been about being able to do more with less. The proper use of Zappos property calls to mind Core Value #8 Do More With Less. For the latest in luxury brands & exclusive collabs. Our Vendor Party where we invite all of our brands to thank them and celebrate our partnership. Zappos code of ethics is written for employee reference in decision making. A conflict of interest exists when your private interests interferes in any way or competes with Zappos interests. For all our emphasis on customer service, our #1 priority is company culture. A. http://www.wwd.com/footwear-news/markets/zappos-milestone-timeline-2121760 For example, the idea for our culture book came about from a casual discussion outside the office. In 1999 Nick Swinmurn launched ShoeSite.com; an idea prompted after a failed attempt of trying to buy a pair of shoes in San Francisco. You may not have "planned" it. This will evolve, change, and grow over time but we wanted to get the most important stuff in here first: our Core Values. Welcome, my friends, to your Zappos Oath of Employment. By having the freedom to be creative in our solutions, we end up making our own luck. Please take this Code of Conduct seriously. Employees and managers on the same level playing field can constrain friendly-competition that motivates employees to keep progressing. It shouldn't be a struggle to find a balance between life and work where you are truly fulfilled and happy. As CEO, Tony Hsiehs has given priority to encouraging a strong corporate culture. Another challenge that Zappos faces in upcoming years is the threat of globalization and core sustainability. For example, there is nothing improper about having dinner with a vendor when the vendor is in town, even if the vendor visits regularly because there is a legitimate business purpose servedyou are developing a strong relationship with the vendor. Designing a different application process, to exclude candidates who are not compatible with the Holarctic system, would be the ideal procedure. Please refer to the applicable sections of the Employee Handbook for further guidance. Whats the ROI on hugging your mom?". We want to be able to laugh at ourselves. If you are not comfortable contacting any of those people, please contact the Zappos Legal Department or raise your concern through one of the options set out in the Zappos Whistleblower Policy. Zappos takes great pride in providing a safe and healthy work environment. In these times of change, ethical considerations taking a backseat to a lean business model is not a sustainable approach. They strive to eliminate any kind of cynicism and negative interactions. But it has to be a joint effort: You have to want to challenge and stretch yourself in order for it to happen. A year later, at the age of 26, Tony Hsieh became the CEO. At Zappos, we embrace diversity in thoughts, opinions, and backgrounds. We are inspired because we believe in what we are doing and where we are going. You must maintain the confidentiality of information Zappos, Amazon, and our business partners (e.g., vendors, customers, service providers) entrust to you, except where disclosure is clearly authorized or legally mandated. A strong culture means lower employee burnout and therefore, lower turnover. Strong relationships allow us to accomplish much more than we would be able to otherwise. Or maybe you love it. Its what makes us successful. We believe that inside every employee is more potential than even the employee himself/herself realizes. In order to buy out the board, Zappos needed to unite with Amazon, a company that not only accepted but promoted their value to customers. Zappos also respects the intellectual property of third parties. Please bear in mind that each of us has a personal responsibility to incorporate, and to encourage our colleagues to incorporate, these principles into our work. How can the company as a whole become more efficient? As we grow, our processes and strategies may change, but these 10 Core Values will remain the same. Learn how we deliver happiness daily. This year, we invited our vendors to run away with us to the Untamed Circus.". Do you instill a sense of team and family not just within your department, but across the entire company? Pursue Growth and Learning 6. We must never lose our sense of urgency in making improvements. Backtrack to 2013: Tony Hsieh, Zappos's CEO, started promoting a new management structure called holacracy. Many of the company's best ideas have been the direct result of informal interactions outside of the office. Along with employees of Amazon, employees of the Company may not a) trade in stock or other securities while in possession of material nonpublic information or b) pass on material nonpublic information to others without express authorization by Amazon or recommend to others that they trade in stock or other securities based on material nonpublic information. Relatives include your spouse, sister, brother, daughter, son, mother, father, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, step relationships and in-laws. We are more than just a team though -- we are a family. He informed his managers through an email that they were no longer needed and would become regular workers, but were able to keep their salary. Each one we pass means we've gotten better. Zappos' leadership has succeeded in developing a culture characterized by ethicalness by identifying and integrating core values into the organization, which place great emphasis on the employees' and customers' happiness. The current board of directors did not want the company to focus on their clients but to shift focus exclusively to product sales. Get a $10 credit for Fathom Analytics. That's a bit scary, but you can take comfort in knowing that nobody else knows how to do what we're doing either. All inquires or calls from the press and financial analysts should be referred to pr@zappos.com. We are ever evolving. All employees of the Company are expected to review and follow the Insider Trading Guidelines. What do you do to make your co-workers' jobs fun as well? As alluded to at the beginning of this Code of Conduct, ask yourself if you would be embarrassed or uncomfortable if your supervisor found out about the gift in question. Please contact the Finance Department if you have any specific questions. Great culture leads to employee happiness. Deliver WOW Through Service 2. ), but that just means that we're moving -- that we're getting better and stronger. Paradoxically, one way leaders try to retain relevance and stay appealing to both customers and employees is to embrace change. As we continue to grow, we strive to ensure that our culture remains alive and well. The program promotes environmental awareness through outlets including cleaner water, recycling, reusable packaging, air quality, and energy conservation. You must not, without proper authority, give or release to anyone not employed by Zappos or Amazon, or to another employee who does not need to know, data or information of a confidential nature. How do you encourage more people to take ownership? It's important to always act with integrity in your relationships, to be compassionate, friendly, loyal, and to make sure that you do the right thing and treat your relationships well. Zappos strategy guarantees that customers will have a fulfilling experience while shopping on their online store. Sometimes, it's the little things that make the biggest difference. Instead, we carry ourselves with a quiet confidence, because we believe that in the long run our character will speak for itself. Additional restrictions on use of confidential information are more fully set forth in the Confidentiality Agreement each of you signed upon accepting employment with Zappos. Are you empowering your fellow circle members to process their tensions, improve the structure of their circles by bringing issues to governance meetings, and to drive change? This was a hard decision as the company cherished every employee. While we've built a good foundation, this is yet another stepping stone in our journey for ultimate self-organization and long-term sustainability. B. http://tbo.com/news/business/zappos-hacking-could-cause-consumer-problems-later-348177 About Us. Embrace and Drive Change 3. It would be great if you could contribute and update this set of principles with anything that's missing! A key ingredient in strong relationships is to develop emotional connections. This means offering shoppers more clothing styles and variety, reimagining ways to exceed customer expectations, protecting and growing our company culture, and serving communities near and far. 2018 Compliance Culture. What can we do that's both fun and a little weird? Passion and determination are contagious. We are a special company, and pride ourselves in doing the right thing. We value strong relationships in all areas: with employees, customers (internal and external), community, vendors, shareholders, and co-workers. Humbly speaking, creating a positive, productive culture is our bread and butter. This way the company can work around what needs to be done instead of around the people who do it. Source: Zappos.com, inc. Code of business conduct and ethics The company started as a shoe distributor and acted as the intermediary, transferring merchandise from the supplier to the customer. How do you get your fellow circle members to grow personally? The Mark Fulton 8,000 Meter Challenge requires grit and character. Humbly speaking, creating a positive, productive culture is our bread and butter. Do you encourage and drive change? Waivers of this Code of Conduct may be made only in a manner permitted by law. Zappos recognizes that there can be borderline cases, and they will be considered carefully. Zappos HQ, in Las Vegas, produces an environment where employees work hard while still having fun. At Zappos, these low-cost perks are often the most appreciated by employees. 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