Entries for the BBB Ethics Awards will be reviewed by a panel of judges independent of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) staff and Board of Directors.
The judges may request additional information from the company or business regarding any of the four judging criteria. BBB Accreditation is not a requirement, but the company may not hold an unsatisfactory record with any BBB. If your company has been the subject of major lawsuits, including class action suits, or government actions in the past three years, this information must be disclosed as part of your entry. Decisions of the judges are final.
- Entries should be submitted on 8.5" x 11" paper, and the total entry is limited to a 2 inch, three-ring binder.
- Use tabs to separate the binder into 4 sections corresponding to the judging criteria, and include materials (mission statement, company communications and publications, news media articles, company advertising, letters of recognition or commendation, customer testimonials, etc.) that demonstrate your company's strengths regarding each of the criteria. Video, DVD's and CD media will not be reviewed by the judges.
Please retain a copy of your complete entry. All submitted entries become the property of the BBB and cannot be returned. If your business makes it to the semi-finalist stage, you will be required to produce four complete copies of your entry for the judges.
Judging Criteria
All packets should include the completed entry, documents supporting each tab and a two-page summary that:
- Explains why your firm merits being an Ethic Award winner;
- Highlights specific business and management practices relevant to the award;
- Illustrates your firm's commitment to fair and honest conduct in the marketplace; and
- Provide your firm's position regarding business integrity and ethical practices. This includes a formally adopted policy or mission statement.
Each section contains examples of documents that may be included to support its section; you don’t need to have documents for each example.
Ø Section 1: Management Practices.
¨ If you are the owner of the company, with no employees, explain how ethics are used in everyday business practices.
¨ Sections from an employee handbook, company manual or training program (formal or informal) showing how ethical policies are communicated and implemented by employees.
¨ Formal training and/or procedures used to address concerns employees may have in dealing with an unethical dilemma.
¨ Existence of an Ethics Officer, Compliance Officer or Ombudsman along with information concerning the responsibilities and authority of this position.
¨ Formal or informal management practices and policies that foster positive employee relations.
¨ Employee benefits and/or work-place practices which contribute to the quality of family life.
¨ Actions by your business to assess risks and take appropriate actions to prevent work place injuries.
Ø Section 2: Customer/ Vendor/ Supplier/ Shareholder Relations.
o Examples of how your business has benefited because of your belief in honesty, integrity, and doing the right thing.
o Letters or complimentary feedback from your customers, vendors and/or suppliers.
o Policies and company practices that assure excellence in quality products and/or services, and demonstrate accountability to consumers, vendors and suppliers.
o Actions taken by your company showing that it went “beyond the call of duty.”
o Examples of situations where your company had to make tough decisions that had a negative short-term consequence.
o If your company is publicly traded, discuss how the corporation demonstrates accountability to shareholders and adheres to good management practices.
Ø Section 3: Marketing/ Advertising/ Communications/ Sales Practices.
o Describe the methods your company uses to assure all sales, promotional materials and advertisements are truthful and accurate.
o Examples of efforts by your company to improve communications, advertising, marketing and sales practices which benefit your industry as a whole.
o Sales training policies and/or codes of ethics used by sales personnel to ensure all transactions are made upfront and in an ethical manner.
Ø Section 4: Reputation within Industry and Community.
o Articles in trade, industry publications and news media that reflect your reputation in your industry and community as an ethical business.
o Awards, recognitions and/or complimentary letters from others within your industry or trade group.
o Recognition for charitable and/or community service projects.