Ethics and compliance

Technology is transforming the world, and companies such as HP must behave with uncompromising integrity to help ensure this transformation is for the better. Being honest and accountable at all times earns the confidence and support of investors, customers, and regulators, and inspires pride and loyalty in our employees.

HP takes our ethical responsibilities very seriously. We have fostered a culture built on trust and respect, guided by our shared values. Our robust and comprehensive ethics and compliance program requires that all employees and partners adhere to lawful and ethical business practices and conduct business honestly and with integrity, including refusing to pay bribes or kickbacks even when it means walking away from a deal (see Anti-corruption section). Our stringent internal standards, policies, and processes often go beyond legal obligations. As one of the world's largest companies, ethics issues sometimes arise and it is important that we work quickly to resolve them according to our policy and local laws.

HP's commitment to uncompromising integrity is further illustrated by the circumstances surrounding the departure of HP's CEO, Mark Hurd, in August 2010. On being notified that Mr. Hurd had allegedly engaged in certain inappropriate conduct, HP immediately launched a comprehensive investigation. As a result of the investigation the Board of Directors concluded that the only appropriate resolution was for Mr. Hurd to resign. In this respect the board's and the company's actions demonstrate that all employees—regardless of the position they hold or the quality of their performance—are held to a high standard of conduct that HP is unwilling to compromise.

This reinforces the message that everything we do and say counts, and we can't rest on past successes. We work diligently to maintain a strong ethical culture globally, regardless of cultural norms or the absence of laws and regulations in some locations. Our Standards of Business Conduct (SBC) apply to all employees, everywhere. We conduct additional training and audits in countries where ethical issues are more likely to occur, and integrate new employees into our ethics and compliance culture as soon as they join the company. See the Approach page for more details.