Ethics

Why a code of ethics?

We want to see a Counter-Culture to unethical business practice, poor service and poor treatment of customers and staff. A Counter-Culture which shows that Christian principles and values can, do and will continue to work in the marketplace. We openly acknowledge that there are people in the marketplace who are not Christians but who still trade with honesty and integrity and aspire to the highest standards of service. As such it is each individual in a business who needs to set out to achieve the pinnacles of trading excellence. Where that individual is a Christian to do otherwise, would be to potentially harm the standing of Christianity in the eyes of others.

Trading excellence is a way of outworking the two commandments Jesus spoke of in Matthew 22:37-39 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself” (NIV). Crosslink Ministries Limited sets out to be a Christian principled business where these principles guide and direct all that we do and the way that we do it. We might not always succeed but we should always try.

We will welcome, trade with, encourage and support anyone who shares and works to the principles within this code of ethics even if they are not Christians themselves. We will encourage those who are not Christians to come to know the God who gave these principles which they share and value, but we will not seek to impose Christianity on others. However, Crosslink Ministries Limited is, and will remain an overtly and explicitly Christian business but one which will openly embrace those who are not Christian but who share the same principles.

Do I have to sign up to the Code?

Any person wishing to be part of the Crosslink Ministries Business Support Network will be asked to literally ‘sign up’ to the Code in full as we believe ethics in business to be paramount in establishing and maintaining the counter-culture we seek.

The Code is made up of 4 key values these being:

• 1. Honesty in all matters and at all times. Honesty implies truthfulness and a refusal to lie, cheat, steal, or deceive in any way. Honesty is a foundation of trust and trust is a foundation of lasting personal and business relationships. Lev19:36, Dt25:15, Pr12:17, 2Ki12:15 (NIV)
• 2. Accountability for our actions both personal and business. Accountability is the way by which we can ensure that Honesty, Integrity, and Respect become real and are maintained. Not only should we be willing to be accountable, but we should actively welcome people to speak into the life we are a steward of. Mt12:36, Lk16:2, Ro14:12, Heb4:13, Eze33:6, Eze34:10, Ro3:19 (NIV)
• 3. Integrity - One definition of Integrity is moral soundness and freedom from corrupting influence or motive. There are many scriptural references showing the importance of integrity Dt9:5,1Ki9:4, 1Ch29:17, Ne7:2, Job2:3, Job2:9, Job6:29, Job27:5, Ps41:12, Pr10:9, Pr11:3, Mt22:16 (NIV)
• 4. Respect for all people at all times at a personal and business level and treating them accordingly. Respect is an outworking of love for our neighbour and respect is vital and requires self-control even in trying circumstances. Lev19:3, Lev19:32, Pr11:16, Mal1:6, Eph5:33, Eph6:5, 1Th4:12, Mt22:37, 1Pe2:17 (NIV)

Specific examples of these 4 values appear below and are an integral part of the code.

Honesty

• 1. To deal honestly with all people at all times
• 2. As far as it is within your power, to be transparently honest with descriptions of goods and services
• 3. If within your power to offer compensation when it is appropriate
• 4. Honouring your word when you give it

Accountability

• 1. To seek and listen to honest feedback and be willing to improve
• 2. Openness to others to speak into my life and business should they have legitimate concerns
• 3. To approach any other member in the network confidentially about any perceived integrity issue relating to them or their business

Integrity

• 1. If a business owner, to pay wages on time (or as discussed and agreed with employees) and to pay other liabilities (invoices) without unnecessary delay.
• 2. To pay all due tax in full and on time.
• 3. Members will not use hard sales techniques to force customers to take their services without giving time to consider.
• 4. Members will not make false claims of special offers (eg 50% off artificially high prices).
• 5. Members will not take advantage of vulnerable clients whether through over-charging or otherwise.
• 6. Members should not make a secret profit or accept an undisclosed referral fee.
• 7. Members will not make false claims about their products or services.
• 8. Members will honour any offers, agreements or warranties.
• 9. Members will not offer goods or services which they are unlikely to be able to fulfil.

Respect

• 1. To treat customers with dignity and respect at all times (including not selling the customer inappropriate products)
• 2. To treat all staff and colleagues with dignity and respect at all times
• 3. To treat competitors with dignity and respect at all times
• 4. Apologising unreservedly when an apology is due
• 5. To help and support others in the network wherever possible