Code of Conduct, Ethics & Disciplinary Procedure
Maintaining the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct
1. Purpose
Forhill Limited is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, accountability, safety and ethical conduct in all its business activities.
This Code of Conduct, Ethics & Disciplinary Procedure establishes:
- The standards of behaviour expected from all Team Members
- The ethical principles governing business conduct
- The Company's expectations regarding compliance, confidentiality, HSE and professional behaviour
- The process for reporting and investigating alleged misconduct
- The principles governing disciplinary action
- The rights and responsibilities of employees during disciplinary proceedings
- The process for appeal and corrective action
The purpose is to promote a workplace characterised by integrity, respect, safety, accountability, professionalism and continual improvement.
2. Scope
This Procedure applies to all persons working for or representing Forhill Limited, including:
Where contractual or statutory requirements impose additional obligations, those requirements shall also apply.
3. Forhill Limited Core Values
All Team Members are expected to demonstrate the Company's core values.
3.1 Integrity
Act honestly, ethically and transparently.
3.2 Excellence
Strive for quality, professionalism and continual improvement.
3.3 Safety and Security
Prioritise the protection of people, assets, information and the environment.
3.4 Respect and Inclusion
Treat colleagues, customers, contractors and other stakeholders with dignity and fairness.
3.5 Innovation and Sustainability
Promote responsible innovation and sustainable business practices.
3.6 Accountability
Take responsibility for decisions, actions and results.
3.7 Teamwork
Work collaboratively to achieve common objectives.
4. General Code of Conduct
Every Team Member shall:
5. Compliance with Laws and Regulations
Team Members shall comply with applicable Nigerian laws, regulations, contractual obligations and Company policies relevant to their duties.
Particular attention shall be given to applicable requirements relating to:
Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:
6. Conflicts of Interest
Team Members shall avoid situations where personal interests conflict, or appear to conflict, with the interests of Forhill Limited.
Potential conflicts may involve:
Any actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest shall be promptly disclosed to the Line Manager and/or Admin. HRQ Manager.
Where appropriate, the Company may require the employee to complete a Conflict of Interest Declaration Form. The Company shall determine appropriate measures to manage the conflict.
7. Gifts, Hospitality and Anti-Corruption
Team Members shall not offer, request, solicit or accept anything of value intended to improperly influence a business decision.
Gifts and hospitality must be:
- Reasonable
- Modest
- Transparent
- Appropriate to the business relationship
- Consistent with Company policy
- Free from any expectation of improper influence
Cash or cash equivalents shall not be accepted as business gifts. Any gift above twenty thousand Naira (#20,000) shall be disclosed to Management and recorded in the appropriate register.
No employee shall receive:
- Kickbacks
- Secret commissions
- Undisclosed supplier incentives
- Personal payments from customers or vendors
- Benefits intended to influence procurement or contract decisions
8. Confidentiality and Data Protection
Team Members may have access to sensitive Company and client information.
Confidential information includes, but is not limited to:
Team Members shall:
- Protect confidential information
- Access information only when authorised
- Use information only for legitimate business purposes
- Prevent unauthorised disclosure
- Follow applicable data-protection requirements
- Report suspected information-security breaches immediately
Employees shall not photograph, copy, download, transmit, publish or disclose confidential client information without proper authorisation. A serious breach of confidentiality or unauthorised disclosure of sensitive client information shall constitute serious or gross misconduct.
9. Use of Company Property and Resources
Company property shall be used responsibly and primarily for legitimate business purposes. Company resources include:
Team Members shall:
- Protect Company property from loss or damage
- Use equipment appropriately
- Report loss, theft or damage promptly
- Not use Company resources for unauthorised purposes
- Return Company property when requested or upon leaving the Company
10. Communication, IT and Social Media
Team Members shall communicate professionally and responsibly.
Employees shall not:
- Publish confidential Company information
- Disclose client information
- Publish sensitive security information
- Misrepresent the Company's position
- Use Company information for personal benefit
- Make unauthorised public statements on behalf of Forhill Limited
Only authorised persons shall formally represent Forhill Limited in public communications. Employees using personal social-media accounts shall ensure that confidential Company or client information is not disclosed.
11. Health, Safety and Environment
Safety is a fundamental requirement of Forhill Limited's operations.
Team Members shall:
- Follow applicable HSE procedures
- Use required PPE
- Report hazards, incidents and near misses
- Follow safe systems of work
- Use equipment correctly
- Follow electrical safety procedures
- Follow working-at-height requirements
- Observe emergency procedures
- Follow applicable environmental controls
Employees shall not knowingly undertake safety-critical work without the required competence, authorisation, equipment or safe system of work. Substance abuse while on duty is prohibited.
12. Workplace Respect and Equal Opportunity
Forhill Limited is committed to maintaining a workplace free from:
All Team Members shall treat colleagues, clients, contractors and stakeholders with dignity and respect. Complaints shall be handled confidentially and investigated appropriately. Retaliation against a person who makes a genuine complaint or report in good faith is prohibited.
13. Fair Competition and Procurement
Team Members involved in procurement or commercial activities shall act fairly, objectively and transparently. Suppliers shall be evaluated based on appropriate criteria including quality, capability, price, reliability, compliance, delivery capability, and relevant experience.
Employees shall not:
- Accept kickbacks
- Manipulate procurement processes
- Favour suppliers for personal benefit
- Conceal conflicts of interest
- Receive undisclosed commissions
14. Professional Conduct
Employees are expected to be punctual, follow lawful instructions, perform assigned duties diligently, maintain professional appearance appropriate to their role, communicate respectfully, protect Company reputation, maintain appropriate workplace behaviour, cooperate with colleagues, and maintain required professional competence.
15. Reporting Violations and Whistleblowing
Team Members are encouraged to report suspected:
Reports may be made through appropriate Company channels, including:
- Line Manager
- Admin. HRQ Manager
- Managing Director
- Other authorised reporting channels established by the Company
Forhill Limited prohibits retaliation against individuals who make genuine reports in good faith. False or malicious allegations made deliberately may themselves constitute misconduct.
16. Misconduct Classification
Forhill Limited shall generally classify misconduct into three categories.
16.1 Minor Misconduct
- Unauthorised lateness
- Minor procedural breaches
- Minor unprofessional behaviour
- Excessive personal use of Company resources
- Minor failure to follow administrative procedures
16.2 Serious Misconduct
- Repeated minor misconduct
- Serious negligence
- Insubordination
- Harassment
- Falsification of records
- Serious breach of confidentiality
- Serious violation of Company procedures
- Repeated failure to comply with reasonable instructions
16.3 Gross Misconduct
- Theft, Fraud, Bribery
- Serious corruption
- Fighting or violence
- Intoxication while on duty
- Gross negligence resulting in serious loss or injury
- Serious unauthorised disclosure of sensitive client information
- Sabotage
- Serious cybersecurity or system-security violations
- Serious deliberate HSE violations
- Serious criminal conduct affecting employment
The classification of an offence shall take account of the facts, circumstances, severity, intent, consequences and employee history.
17. Principles of Disciplinary Action
Fairness
Employees shall be given an opportunity to respond to allegations.
Consistency
Similar cases should be treated consistently, taking account of relevant circumstances.
Proportionality
The disciplinary response should reflect the seriousness of the misconduct.
Due Process
The Company shall follow the established investigation and hearing procedure.
Confidentiality
Disciplinary matters shall be handled discreetly.
Documentation
Relevant decisions and evidence shall be appropriately recorded.
Right of Appeal
Employees have the right to appeal disciplinary decisions.
18. Disciplinary Process
The standard disciplinary process shall be:
Not every case will necessarily require every stage where the circumstances or seriousness of the matter justify a different lawful approach.
24. Disciplinary Sanctions
The Company may apply progressive discipline where appropriate:
The stages are not necessarily automatic. The appropriate sanction shall depend on the seriousness and circumstances of the case. Gross misconduct may justify dismissal without progression through all stages, subject to due process and applicable requirements.
32. Disciplinary Decision Matrix
The following matrix provides guidance rather than an automatic sanction:
| Conduct | Indicative Classification | Possible Action |
|---|---|---|
| Minor lateness | Minor | Counselling / warning |
| Repeated lateness | Serious | Written/final warning |
| Minor safety breach | Minor | Counselling/training |
| Serious safety violation | Serious/Gross | Appropriate disciplinary action |
| Insubordination | Serious | Written/final warning or stronger action |
| Harassment | Serious/Gross | Appropriate disciplinary action |
| Theft | Gross | May lead to dismissal |
| Fraud | Gross | May lead to dismissal |
| Bribery | Gross | May lead to dismissal |
| Serious confidentiality breach | Serious/Gross | Appropriate disciplinary action |
| Violence | Gross | May lead to dismissal |
| Deliberate sabotage | Gross | May lead to dismissal |
| Poor performance | Capability issue | PIP/training/coaching |
The actual classification shall depend on the facts and circumstances of each case.
38. Employee Acknowledgement
I acknowledge that I have received, read and understood the Forhill Limited Code of Conduct, Ethics & Disciplinary Procedure.
I understand that I am required to comply with the standards and requirements contained in this document and applicable Company policies.
I understand that failure to comply may result in disciplinary action.
39. Document Approval
Prepared By:
Mr. Victor C. Philip
Admin. HRQ Manager
Date: January 01, 2026
Approved By:
Mr. Gogo Macaulay
Chief Executive Officer
Date: January 01, 2026
Document Control
| Document Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Document Title | Code of Conduct, Ethics & Disciplinary Procedure |
| Document Owner | Admin. HRQ Manager |
| Effective Date | 01 January 2025 |
| Revision | 01 |
| Review Frequency | Annual |
| Status | Controlled Document |