A corporate values statement created during the strategic planning process can begin to setthe stage for ethical behavior, but the code of conduct, or code of ethics, is a useful tool thatcan inform people in the organization about what behavior is expected and what is unacceptable.Some topics to consider when creating a code of ethics could include those discussed next:Honesty The code of ethics should set an expectation of honesty in the workplace. Aswith all other aspects of an ethics code, the executive team must model honesty in the representationsthey make to employees, customers, suppliers, and all other stakeholders inorder for the message to be taken seriously within the company.Integrity Integrity is defined as a fi rm adherence to a code of moral values. Integrity is demonstratedwhen an individual does the right thing, even when that “thing” is unpopular.