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Hewlett-Packard always has been active in the formation of public policies that affect the company, its employees, and its operations. As HP looks to the future, it will continue to work with key public officials to promote HP as a thought, technology and issue leader to promote HP as an exemplary global citizen and to promote the HP brand.
Where public policy issues affect the company, it is essential that HP take a stand. Managers are encouraged to work with HP Government Affairs in the development of an HP position. When a position is adopted, it should be shared appropriately with employees, together with the reasons for the company's involvement.
Throughout its history, Hewlett-Packard has encouraged employees to be active in their communities. Because the development of public policy and related political activity can be complicated - particularly during active campaign periods - the company limits political activities on company time and premises.
Within the U.S., the company makes a limited number of political contributions as part of its Global Citizenship Objective and in furtherance of its public policy agenda. All HP political endorsements and contributions must be authorized by the vice president of HP Government Affairs as part of political programs approved by the Chief Executive Officer. The HP Government Affairs Department manages all political programs and contributions and works with HP employees in the regions regarding HP involvement in any political or public policy activities.
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HP PAC |
HP may not use its corporate funds or assets for U.S. federal political contributions. The HP Political Action Committee (HP PAC) makes contributions to U.S. congressional candidates (and in limited cases, contributions to state candidates where corporate contributions are not allowed) who share HP's public policy views. The HP PAC is a separate legal entity from the company. Voluntary personal contributions to fund the HP PAC are solicited from selected employees in compliance with federal election laws.
Company funds may be used, where legally permissible, to participate in the election of state officials who share HP's public policy views, as well as state and local ballot measures having an impact on the company and the quality of life in HP communities. In rare instances, HP will consider contributions to local candidates.
HP makes contributions to federal and state organizations for the purpose of public policy development. A committee of HP managers annually reviews eligible recipients of funds for both the HP PAC contributions and corporate contributions and develops an HP PAC contributions plan and a corporate contributions plan. The HP PAC plan is presented to the HP PAC Board of Directors, which reviews, revises and approves the plan. Both the HP PAC plan and the corporate contributions plan are then presented to the CEO for review and approval. Once approved by the CEO the plan is presented to the Audit Committee of the HP Board.
Upon approval of the plans, the HP Political Contributions Committee, comprised of HP government affairs managers, implements the plans by reviewing all specific political contributions requests and events requiring corporate and HP PAC funding and makes recommendations to the Political Contributions Advisory Council. Once the Political Contributions Advisory Council approves the requests, the funds are disbursed.
On a limited basis and with the approval of the vice president of HP Government Affairs, the company may also make contributions to policy-based partisan organizations, state partisan organizations, trade association political committees and coalitions to further its public policy and business interests.
In-kind contributions of equipment or employee time are considered to be political contributions, and must be approved by the vice president of HP Government Affairs.
No HP funds or assets may be used for political contributions outside the United States, even where permitted by local law, without the prior written approval of HP's Chief Executive Officer.
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