Ethics
A reputation for integrity is crucial to Barclays achieving its commercial goals, and fulfilling the Group's corporate responsibilities. It's an essential asset, which we are dedicated to protecting and strengthening.
Barclays expects every colleague, and others who work on our behalf, to conduct themselves according to consistently high professional and ethical standards.
Barclays Statement on Corporate Conduct and Ethics outlines the behaviours and standards of conduct required by colleagues across the business. More detailed standards are set by each area of the business, tailored to their specific business priorities and regulatory parameters.
Every Barclays employee is required to confirm annually that they have read and understood the code of conduct relevant to their part of the business as part of their performance development review process.
Ethical indices
Barclays has achieved recognition for its commitment to ethical practices in business in leading independent indices:
FTSE4Good Index
The FTSE4Good Index Series measures the performance of companies that meet globally recognised corporate responsibility standards. Barclays retains membership in the Global, Europe and UK indices.
Dow Jones Sustainability Index
The Dow Jones Sustainability Index Series tracks the financial performance of the world’s leading sustainability-driven companies. In its 2008 rankings, Barclays achieved an overall score of 79 per cent. The banking sector average was 49 per cent.
Business in the Community Index
The Business in the Community Corporate Responsibility Index measures responsible business strategy and the management of corporate responsibility. The top 100 companies are listed in the annual index. Barclays was awarded the highest accolade – Platinum status – in 2007 and 2008. Our projects on financial inclusion and working towards global carbon neutrality were recognised.
Policies
Barclays has policies in place to achieve a consistent approach to ethical issues across the global Group and ensure the business remains a positive corporate role model. Our policies and guidance covers a broad range of issues, including:
- Corporate conduct and ethics
- Human rights
- Bribery and corruption
- Data protection
- Anti-money laundering
To view further Barclays policy positions, including statements relating to the defence sector, online gaming and animal testing, visit the policy positions page.
Sanctions
The Barclays Group Policy for Financial Sanctions and Prohibition of Business Activity is designed to ensure that all our business areas comply with applicable financial sanctions in the jurisdictions in which they operate. We provide appropriate training to ensure colleagues are able to meet these requirements.
Sudan
Barclays does not engage in business operations in Sudan nor do we deal with the Sudanese government.
Burma/Myanmar
We have a policy of non-engagement with Burma/Myanmar. However, in May 2008 we donated £50,000 to the Red Cross to help support the relief effort in Burma following Cyclone Nargis.
