ASA Creates "Code of Ethics" Tool for Glazing Contractors

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, enacted by Congress in 2002, requires public companies to disclose whether or not they have a code of ethics. Though compliance with this section of the act is voluntary for private companies, some have still chosen to adopt and disclose their own code of ethics.

A new tool from the American Subcontractors Association (ASA) is now available to help glazing contractors that wish to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act: a model code of ethics that glazing contractors can adapt to create their own codes of ethics.

The model code contains language that addresses 11 areas of ethical concern:

• Competition;
  
  
• Qualifications;
  
  
• Standards of practice;
  
  
• Conflicts of interest;
  
  
• Public safety;
  
  
• Service providers and suppliers;
  
  
• Employees;
  
  
• Public information;
  
  
• Compliance with laws;
  
  
• Image of the construction industry; and
  
  
• Internal procedures.

While the model code contains language useful to any business developing a code of ethics, it specifically addresses areas of concern to the construction industry, such as bid shopping, the ability to perform contracts, jobsite safety and working conditions, prompt payment of service providers and suppliers and the image of the industry.

The code of ethics can be downloaded from ASA's website, www.asaonline.com.