Code of Conduct
Société Générale has adopted a series of guiding principles governing the actions and behaviour of the Group in a summary document: the Société Générale Group Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct reflects the Group’s commitments and convictions in carrying out its activities. Moreover, because it combines those values and principles that inspired the texts already in place within the different Group entities (internal regulations, directives, instructions, etc.), the Code serves as a common reference framework. The Code contributes to maintaining and improving our corporate and social responsibility and risk management, as well as strengthening the reputation and image of a Group that is expanding rapidly, especially overseas.
Indeed, Société Générale's Code of Conduct comes in answer to the legitimate expectations of both its employees and society writ large, as borne out by the increasing number of ratings agencies and socially responsible investment funds and the growing tendency amongst listed companies to publish their own ethics charter. Since its launch at the end of March 2005, this common framework has been deployed throughout Société Générale in accordance with the characteristics and cultures to be found in the 82 countries in which the Group is present. Entity managers have presented the Code to their staff and any relevant documentation can be accessed by Group staff via various communication channels (intranet website, brochures, etc.).
An assessment of the concrete application of the Code was carried out in 2007 and new awareness campaigns are underway.
Each year, a specific training on ethics is given to managers of the French retail network during their regular managerial course