Chapter 4: Our business integrity
We safeguard company assets
The Nestlé way
In our work at Nestlé, we are entrusted with the use of Nestlé property to enable us to do our best every day. This includes:
- Physical assets, such as our product inventory, laptops, phones, vehicles as well as proprietary factory and R&D equipment;
- Digital and electronic assets, including software and information systems, customer and consumer databases and marketing and advertising data;
- Intellectual property, such as our trademarks, patents, trade secrets, ideas and inventions.
We each have a responsibility to make proper and efficient use of company assets – it’s key to Nestlé’s ability to expand and succeed. Nestlé reserves the right to monitor and inspect how its assets are used by employees, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
How we live it, every day
- Treat Nestlé property with the same care as if it were your own and protect it from loss, damage, misuse, theft or fraud.
- Use company assets for their intended purpose. Do not use Nestlé property or technology for illegal or unethical activities, including accessing or disseminating offensive content.
- Remember that company assets belong to Nestlé. Do not use company property for personal gain, and ensure all property and proprietary information are returned when you leave the company. Downloading or copying information without authorization is a breach of company policy and may lead to disciplinary or legal consequences.
Putting our Code to the test
Q. I was travelling for business when my laptop was stolen. What should I do?
A. You should always exercise due care and store devices in a safe and secure manner. Promptly report your lost device to your people manager and the IT Organization.
