Chipotle remains committed to achieving the highest integrity standards in all of their activities and expects compliance with the spirit of the law and the letter. Chipotle expects employees will reflect the code of ethics in their day-to-day activities. Key areas of concern for for business includes everything in their integrity statement such as conflicts of interest, acceptance of gifts, entertainment, protection of company assets, outside business activities, outside business investments, confidential information, ethical communications, political activity, government investigations, records retention, reporting information, etc. All the mentioned aspects are important for ensuring Chipotle’s business is not affected by mistakes made by an employee and their self-interest. Also, everything under the harassment, anti-discrimination and sexual harassment policy are of significant importance to the business, because company’s reputation is associated with it (Chipotle, 2010).
Ensuring Employees Follow Code of Conduct
Apart from the code of conduct, organizations need to ensure employees follow the set standards. Therefore, certain actions are needed to be taken by the management to ensure employees understand the importance of the code and agree with the need to follow the code while working for the organization. Some of the actions that can be taken to ensure employers are following the code of conduct:
Training and Education
The first step that should be taken is that all employees should be given the necessary training and education over the code of conducts practiced in the organization. Once employees are aware of the code of conduct and agree to it, they cannot revert on a later date, over failing to meet any guideline (Williford & Small, 2013).
Monitoring, Auditing and Evaluation
Management also needs to ensure that all activities performed by employees are continuously monitored, audited and evaluated to find any possible areas that need to be regulated. Without monitoring activities, the organization cannot ensure that employees are following the code of conduct (Williford & Small, 2013).
Developing a Culture and Excluding Bad Actors
Monitoring helps in identifying bad actors within the organization, and the management needs to ensure that these bad actors are removed from the organization. The end result of developing a team of effective operators who are willing to work as per the code of conduct would mean that the organization would be able to develop an effective culture at the workplace (Williford & Small, 2013).
Appropriate Remedial Action
Once any improper conduct is detected, it is important to take remedial action through warning or fining employees. Also, if there are certain guidelines in the code of conduct that are against the best interest of the organization, they need to be removed (Williford & Small, 2013).
Socially Responsible Activities
Sustainability Program
Chipotle should be involved in activities that support environmental sustainability and should add regulations supporting climate change. These regulations should be applied to all Chipotle restaurants and should ensure that every restaurant is maintained and used products are given for recycling.
Social Responsibility Program
Since, the company has been making money from people within different communities; Chipotle should be involved in helping the local community by making donations to charitable organizations and participating in community programs that help in improving the company’s image.
Healthy Menu and Fair Prices
Chipotle can ensure that the food prepared in their kitchen is healthy and matches the health codes. Also, Chipotle can also provide discounted meals, children and offer affordable food and beverages to their customers.
References
Chipotle. (2010). Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. Code of Conduct. Retrieved 14 March 2016 from, http://ir.chipotle.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=194775&p=irol-govConduct
Williford., K & Small., D. (25 January 2013). Establishing an Effective Compliance Program: An Overview to Protecting Your Organization. Retrieved 14 March 2016 from, http://www.acc.com/legalresources/quickcounsel/eaecp.cfm
