You are required to research recent news articles and other information about Westpac Bank. Here is an example of a recent news article describing some of the corporate governance issues at Westpac...

1 answer below »

You are required to research recent news articles and other information about Westpac Bank.


Here is an example of a recent news article describing some of the corporate governance issues at
Westpac Bank:


https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-11-27/why-heads-are-rolling-at-another-big-australianbank-quicktake



You must then draft a
Code of Ethics
for
Westpac Bank






Assessment Instructions


Your Code of Ethics for Westpac Bank must specifically address:


A. Discrimination


B. Exploitation


C. Corruption


D. Dishonest and Fraudulent Behaviour


E. Whistleblower Protections


F. Enforcement


You will be required to include a minimum of 5 references in your Code of Ethics which must come from


academic journals or textbooks.


For further guidance here are the links to three example company codes of ethics:


1. Wesfarmers - http://www.wesfarmers.com.au/docs/default-source/corporate-governance/code-ofEthics---may-2015.pdf?sfvrsn=8


2. Stockland - https://www.stockland.com.au/about-stockland/corporate-governance


3. Woolworths - http://www.woolworthsgroup.com.au/icms_docs/183764_Code_of_Ethics.pdf

Answered Same DayMay 18, 2021

Answer To: You are required to research recent news articles and other information about Westpac Bank. Here is...

Nishtha answered on May 23 2021
144 Votes
Westpac Bank
Introduction
Westpac group is one of the Australia’s oldest company and first bank of the Australia. It have four customer facing division including consumer, business, Westpac institutional bank and Westpac New Zealand bank. Westpac provides a broad range of consumer, business and institutional banking and wealth management services through a portfolio of financial services brands and businesses. Corporate governance is a set of principles
and rules on the basis every company is governed. It ensures company should be liable for every stakeholder including shareholders, employee, customer and director (Şahin 2018). As, business and its owner both separate legal entity from each other. It is mandatory to conduct business according ethical code of conduct of corporate governance. It helps to build public confidence and trust. This paper highlights code of conduct of Westpac bank addressing discrimination, exploitation, corruption, Dishonest and Fraudulent Behaviour, Whistleblower Protections and its enforcement (Katamba 2016).
Code of ethics
· Discrimination
Discrimination in workplace based on some prejudices and they occur when employee served unfavourably because some gender, race, religion, disability and sexuality. Humans have come a long way on development in society, culture, workplace, preferences etc. Society is much fair place with people are guarded with their right. However, workplace equality still have some ugly sides, despite of law, policy against discrimination it is prevalent. There should be awareness about what should and should not be included in discrimination in workplace. It is not only that employee deserves to be treated equally but also get to know if they are breaking any equality law or not. Westpac bank has its own anti discriminatory rules in workplace (Jones 2017). Discrimination as ethical code of conduct brings equality in the workplace and protects employee’s interest. The importance of the discrimination in the workplace can be understated. In the absence of discriminatory laws, anyone can discriminate with any group people at any time. Under discriminatory code of conduct there are further more laws for example law against employment discrimination that protect employee to have equal employment opportunity irrespective of the caste, race, gender, nationality. Westpac bank has its own human right position statement as a way to protect their employee from discrimination in workplace (Katamba 2016). Company approach is to respect and advancement of human rights. In addition, with to act with honesty, integrity and due skill, care and diligence. Nevertheless, in 2016 an employee of Westpac bank filed a case claiming that regional director of the company stop his promotion, discriminating against his nationality (Jones 2017).
Exploitation
Employee exploitation can defined as when employer oversteps the legal protection of the employee for his own advantage. It is an act for treating people unfairly in order to get maximum benefits from their work. A bit of work and responsibility, somehow inspire and motivate people to perform better and get rewards. However, exploitation in workplace happens when there is no extra penny paid for the extra work done and also extra work with less payment. Activities like doing someone’s work, delay in salary payments, manipulation and sometimes employer’s torturing physically and mentally also comes under exploitation in workplace. Codes of conduct respects and give right to every employee to get harassment free workplace, and ensures health and safety of the employee. Company sets a zero tolerance for harassment and exploitation in workplace environment. Westpac bank will take all the cases and allegation of harassment and exploitation very seriously and measures will be taken immediately (codeofconduct, 2020). Westpac bank encourage employee to report if any of exploitation activity is happening in the workplace environment. It has internal complaint committee to handle all this types of cases and guilty needs to be penalised as soon as possible. Internal complaint committee (ICC) is also responsible for strict disciplinary actions and investigation of exploitation case. Westpac bank curb all action and activities that can be appear as exploitation and harassment. This harassment and exploitation code of conduct is applicable to each member and employee of the company irrespective of the position and post (Ferguson 2018).
Corruption
Corruption refers to cheating, lying and stealing or fraudulent activity conducted by those who are in...
SOLUTION.PDF

Answer To This Question Is Available To Download

Related Questions & Answers

More Questions »

Submit New Assignment

Copy and Paste Your Assignment Here