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Code of conduct
This Code of Conduct (the ‘Code’) sets out the standards of conduct which the Rank Group (‘Rank’) requires of all its directors, officers and colleagues across all its subsidiary companies and businesses[1].
Any questions involving the application of the Code should be referred to Rank’s Chief People Officer, Group General Counsel or Company Secretary. Any allegation that any individual has contravened any of its provisions should be similarly referred, or colleagues can raise any potential breaches via the process set out in the Speaking Up Policy.
Whilst the Code does not form part of colleagues’ contracts of employment, strict compliance is expected and any breach may result in disciplinary action.
The purpose of this Code
Rank expects the highest ethical standards from colleagues and other personnel in carrying out its business. This Code:
- describes the principles by which Rank expects to conduct its business; and
- provides colleagues with guidance on the standards expected when conducting business on behalf of Rank.
It is essential that everyone in Rank maintains its reputation for integrity. Everyone should act honestly, fairly and with transparency in the conduct of their work. They should not act in a manner which could discredit themselves or Rank or put themselves in a position which may result in a conflict of interest.
Supporting Policies
A number of the principles in this Code are supported by more detailed policies to guide colleagues, including those expressly mentioned in this document. All colleagues are required to comply with all Rank Policies. Furthermore, any action taken under the Code will use the principles and processes as outlined in the Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures.
Key Principles
Many business decisions may involve ethical dilemmas. This Code cannot address every possible situation, however, some of the key areas are outlined below. It is very important that colleagues recognise when they are in a difficult ethical situation and that they seek assistance as appropriate.
Honest and Ethical Conduct
Rank requires honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships.
Rank colleagues and other personnel must avoid situations where personal interests could conflict, or appear to conflict, with Rank interests. Please refer to the Conflicts of Interest Policy for further details of Rank’s expectations in this regard.
Disclosures / Misrepresentation
Rank insists on full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in papers, reports and documents, including financial statements and in other internal and external documents circulated and communications made by the Company.
Fraud
Rank is committed to high legal, ethical and moral standards which includes a zero tolerance to fraud. Colleagues are responsible for the prevention and detection of fraud, misappropriations and other irregularities which can be prevented by adherence to company policies and procedures.
Where instances of fraud are suspected or detected these should be reported (anonymously if required) to senior management to allow a proper and thorough investigation to be undertaken.
Colleagues who are found to be associated with fraudulent activity will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination and prosecution.
Compliance
Each individual is required to support and promote Rank’s long-standing commitment to operate in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations in each jurisdiction in which it carries on business. This includes compliance with applicable gambling legislation and, in respect of the UK market, the licensing objectives set out under the Gambling Act 2005, being:
- protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling;
- preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime; and
- ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way.
Safer Gambling
Player protection and our approach to improving Rank’s safer gambling measures and culture remain at the highest possible level of importance and priorities. Rank seeks not only to comply with its regulatory requirements but to embed safer gambling as a key driver of behaviour amongst our colleagues and for our customers. Rank regards it as incumbent that each colleague takes responsibility for ensuring that we provide a service that is delivered in a safe, fair and responsible way. Please see the Safer Gambling Policy for more information.
Health and Safety (‘H&S’)
Rank treats the physical safety of our customers and colleagues as high priority and is committed to achieving the highest level of health and safety standards across the Group. Colleagues are required to support and promote that commitment.
Bribery and Corruption
Rank takes a zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption and is committed to acting professionally, fairly and with integrity in all its business dealings and relationships.
A bribe means a financial or other inducement or reward for action which is illegal, unethical, a breach of trust or improper in any way. Bribes can take the form of money, gifts, loans, fees, hospitality, services, discounts, the award of a contract or any other advantage or benefit. It includes offering, promising, giving accepting or seeking a bribe. The amount of the bribe offered or paid is irrelevant and it need not actually be paid. A kickback (e.g. the payment or receipt of a payment in return for securing a contract) is a form of bribe. All forms of bribery are strictly prohibited and are likely to be criminal offences.
Rank directors, officers and colleagues must not:
- give or offer any payment, gift, hospitality or other benefit in the expectation that a business advantage will be received in return, or to reward any business received;
- accept any offer from a third party that you know, or suspect, is made with the expectation that we will provide a business advantage for them or anyone else;
- give or offer any payment (sometimes called a facilitation payment) to a government official in any country to facilitate or speed up a routine or necessary procedure;
- offer to or give gifts or hospitality to customers except as set out in this Policy or, in relation, to customers, in accordance with the Reward and High Value Customer policy in force from time to time.
Before accepting, offering or giving any gift or hospitality, colleagues must carefully consider the possible motives for it being accepted, offered or given and how acceptance might subsequently be perceived by the public, Rank shareholders, work colleagues or other stakeholders. All activity in relation to gifts and hospitality should be carefully considered under the terms of the Group’s Anti-Corruption and Bribery, Gifts and Hospitality Policy.
Confidential Information
Rank directors, officers and colleagues will receive confidential information, whether about Rank, its businesses, its colleagues or customers in the course of fulfilling roles. Such information should be treated sensitively and its confidentiality maintained. It must not be used for personal gain or for the benefit of any third party. The dissemination and disclosure of confidential information must be dealt with in accordance with relevant policies and individual’s contract of employment, as well as in line with competition laws. The obligation of confidentiality extends to periods after ceasing to work for Rank and includes the disclosure of information to others.
Please also be aware that some information will be price sensitive if it is of a precise nature that is not generally available and its release into the public domain would be sufficiently significant to affect Rank’s share price.
Social Media
Many colleagues use social media for personal use outside of work. Some colleagues use social media in connection with their work for Rank. Any use of social media that links to Rank should be relevant, protective of Rank’s reputation and not disclose confidential information. Rank colleagues should always be mindful of the risks in using social media and of protecting themselves and their own privacy.
Data Protection
Rank may only collect and retain personal data for legitimate commercial purposes and in accordance with consents given. Rank directors, officers and colleagues are required to ensure that data is collected and processed in accordance with Rank’s policies and applicable law. Furthermore, they must respect the privacy of personal data relating to colleagues, customers, and suppliers.
Taking action
If Rank directors, officers or colleagues find themselves in a situation where they are unsure of the right course of action to take, they may find it helpful to ask the following questions:
- Is it legal?
- Is it ethical?
- Is it consistent with Rank’s policies and this Code of Conduct?
- Is it consistent with STARS values?
- Can I explain it to my manager, family and friends?
- Would I feel comfortable if it appeared in the public domain?
If they still find that they do not know the right course of action to take, if they suspect someone else of acting contrary to this Code or Rank’s policies, or if they have any concerns or questions about anything contained in this Code, they should consider the appropriate person with whom to raise the matter, this could be one of the following:
- Line manager;
- HR;
- Legal; and/or
- A member of the Executive Committee.
Alternatively, concerns regarding breaches of the Code can be reported under the Speaking Up Policy, including via the Safecall portal and telephone line.
Rank will not tolerate harassment or victimisation of colleagues who raise concerns regarding breaches of the Code (by any means) and will take action to protect these employees.
[1] This Code of Conduct applies in addition to the Enracha Venues Code of Conduct. If for Enracha venues colleagues there is any conflict between the two Codes, the Enracha Venues Code of Conduct shall prevail.