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Johnson Controls named one of the world's most ethical companies – again

Jerry Okarma
For the fourth consecutive year, Johnson Controls was named one of the world's most ethical companies by Ethisphere, a global organization that promotes best practices in business ethics. 

Johnson Controls was recognized for industry leading ethics and compliance programs and for successfully translating ethics policies into action. 

Jerry Okarma, vice president, secretary and general counsel, said: "Integrity is one of our core values. It's more than words. It's the way we do business." 

The Johnson Controls Ethics Policy stresses the importance of acting with integrity and makes it clear that employees are expected to treat one another with dignity and respect and to deal with customers honestly and fairly. 

Jerry said: "Integrity starts with commitment at the top, which we have from CEO Steve Roell and the Executive Operating Team on down. We make sure employees know what's expected from them, give them the tools to be successful, and then hold them accountable for their actions." 

As the company has grown over the years, with thousands of employees from different cultures, it was essential that “behaving with unquestioned integrity and in accordance with our ethics policy” be understood and embraced by all. 

Johnson Controls has a certification program requiring employees annually to review the ethics policy and reaffirm that they are in compliance. The company also provides internet-based ethics training for employees around the world supplemented with in-person training where appropriate. 

Ensuring ethical performance can be challenging when doing business globally in locations where codes of conduct vary. Jerry says that the company ethics policy always takes precedence: "Our ethics standards are higher than what local laws might allow in some places. If the only way to secure a transaction is to comprise those standards, we will walk away from that business." 

Doing the right thing is actually good for business. According to Ethisphere, there is a direct link between ethics and profitability. Customers prefer to deal with ethical companies. That’s one reason this year's World's Most Ethical Companies award was more competitive than ever. Alex Brigham, Executive Director of the Ethisphere Institute said: "Companies realize that making ethics a priority is critical in a tough economic environment." 

Johnson Controls has always made ethics a top priority. Being recognized by Ethisphere as one of the world's most ethical companies is further validation of the company's commitment to ethics as a core value.
ETHICS RECOGNITION
The Ethisphere Institute has named Johnson Controls one of the world's most ethical companies for four consecutive years. more
ETHICS POLICY
Ethics Policy
Our Ethics Policy is the cornerstone of customer satisfaction. more
OUR VALUES
Our Values Starting with integrity, our values shape our culture and success. more
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