We’ve got a special treat for you this week: Andrea is on the Great Women In Compliance Podcast!

In the first part of their two-part series, Andrea and host Mary Shirley discuss all things Code of Conduct. Check it out here or listen below.

Once upon a time, Codes of Conduct were dense Word documents written by lawyers, for lawyers. Now companies are switching from “check the box” Codes to appealing, user-friendly documents and interactive websites that can better influence employee attitudes and behavior. And in light of the most recent DOJ Guidance, more companies are thinking about ways to take their Codes digital so they can use analytics to better understand employee usage.

But when should you update your Code? And how do you do it right? Andrea and Mary share some great advice and considerations, including:

  • Don’t blow your budget. You probably don’t need to build a custom app with all the latest bells and whistles to take your Code digital. Do a cost-benefit analysis for the various formats available and think about the best way to get your Code in front of your audience.
  • Keep it short and engaging. Focus on practical guidance for employees and how the rules apply to them. Mary shared the Hyatt Code of Conduct as an example Code she loves for its inclusive tone. (We love it too, but we might be biased — Rethink Compliance partnered with Hyatt to create it!)
  • Plan ahead and engage your stakeholders early. If you’re going digital, make sure to bring in the IT and Branding/Communications departments at the start of the conversation.
  • Get employee feedback. Ask employees what they think of the current Code. Do they use it? Why or why not? Then do the same with the prototype.

As Andrea says, “The evolution is really about understanding how your audience consumes information now.” Check out the full episode here. (And keep an eye out for part 2 of their conversation about policies, coming out next week.)

If you're ready to update your Code of Conduct, the Rethink Compliance team can help. Our Advisory Services professionals work collaboratively with you and our Creative Services team to deliver modern, plain-language, visually attractive Codes. If you're curious about our Code rewrites and Digital Code offerings, or if you just want to geek out with us about what makes a great Code, reach out to us at hello@rethinkcomplianceco.com.