Our commitment to our clients is to develop and maintain a business atmosphere that focuses not only on the property management services we provide but also on the ethical conduct of our employees. The following summarizes our policies eight areas of importance in this regard:

1.
Incentives.  We will not accept gifts, incentives, or other forms of consideration at any time, except reasonable gifts of appreciation given or received at Christmas time.  Our actions will always be in the best interest of our clients without hidden compensation or benefit.
2.
Competitive Spirit.  We will concentrate on improving our service and will not unfairly criticize or make negative statements about our competition in the property management field.  However, we will compare ourselves to our competition when factual circumstances warrant comparison.
3.
Honesty.  We will not lie or provide false information but will always respond truthfully based on current knowledge.  We will not resort to puffery or exaggeration.
4.
Client Confidentiality.  Without our clients' consent, we will not divulge confidential information unless we are bound by legal or ethical standards to divulge such information and then we will do so only to the appropriate parties.
5.
Awarding Contracts for Services and Product Purchases.  We will always seek out the best value with regard to price, quality, delivery, service and maintenance.  Contracts will not be given to friends, relatives, or others we have a personal relationship with unless full disclosure is made and their service or product is the best value.
6.
Managing Property for Non-Local Owners.  All owners will receive the same effort from our staff, whether they live in town, or are out-of-town, or are in constant contact with us, or only visit with us once per year.   Our management effort will also be the same for large and small sites and owners with one site or multiple sites.
7.
Substance Abuse Policy.  Our policy regarding substance abuse is as follows:
A.

It is a violation of company policy for any employee to use, possess, distribute, sell, trade, or offer for sale illegal drugs or alcohol on the job.

B.
It is a violation of company policy for anyone to report to work under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol.
C.
It is a violation of company policy for anyone to misuse prescription drugs.
D.
It is a violation of company policy to not report a work-related injury within 24 hours.
E.
Violations of this policy are subject to disciplinary action which may include termination.
8.
Code of Conduct.  Annually, each employee signs a code of conduct which renews the focus on our ethical commitment to our clients. Our code of conduct is:
 
 
Code of Conduct
1.
I affirm my responsibility to our property owners, partners, and lenders that their assets, which they entrusted to me, are not subject to conflict of interest.  I understand and agree to the following code of conduct.   I also understand that I must list any exceptions below, and those exceptions must be approved by my manager and District Manager (DM) or Home Office Supervisor (HOS).
 
A.
Neither I, nor any member of my family has an interest in or operating responsibility for rental housing other than with Bernard/Allison.
B.
Any outside employment that I participate in, must be disclosed and approved by my DM or HOS.
C.
Employment of relatives at the same community or home office department is prohibited unless approved by my DM or HOS.
D.
Neither I, nor my family may invest in any Bernard/Allison vendor unless approved by my DM or HOS.
E.
I will not give or receive cash, gifts or tips of any kind or borrow or lend money or items among employees, residents or vendors.
F.
I will not directly use the services or skills of any other employee or vendor with or without compensation.   Materials and services may be purchased through Bernard/Allison at the Bernard/Allison price providing the invoice is processed through the Bernard/Allison Home Office.
G.
I understand and agree that all property left in an apartment is the property of the site.  All sales of site property to employees or the public must have DM approval.
H.
If I hold a real estate license, I will give notice in writing of the status of my license and notice in writing of any changes in status if my license is inactive. I will either be on inactive status or Bernard/Allison must be my employing broker and I will conduct no real estate activity outside of Bernard/Allison.
I.
If I drive on company business, I understand and agree that I will have a current and valid driver’s license and carry the standard insurance policy required by financial responsibility laws in addition to $100,000/$300,000 liability coverage required by the Bernard/Allison insurance policy.  I will notify Bernard/Allison immediately if I no longer have a valid driver’s license or the company-required insurance.
2.
I understand and agree that Bernard/Allison Management Services, Inc. is a drug-free work place and if an employee uses, is under the influence of, has in his/her possession, or sells or gives others any illegal substance or alcohol during work or on-call hours, it is grounds for immediate termination without severance pay or benefits.
3.

I understand that I am financially responsible for improper, careless, negligent, destructive or unsafe acts that result in damage or theft to equipment and/or property.   In this event, I authorize amounts owed, which will be disclosed to me, to be deducted from my paycheck.

4.
I agree to report any work related injury to my supervisor immediately, regardless of the severity of the injury.
5.

I agree to comply with federal and state employment and fair housing laws, in that, my business practices will not be influenced or affected by a person’s race, color, religion, gender, national origin, familial status, age, disability, or any other legally protected class.  All residents, prospective residents, and co-workers must be treated as human beings, not as members of a particular group.

6.

I understand that information gained while employed with Bernard/Allison is confidential and proprietary.   This includes any information describing Bernard/Allison’s business and operations, clients, residents, products, vendors, contracts, employees, managed properties, finances, forms, manuals, handbooks, training programs, policies and procedures, reports, drawings, notes and software stored in hard-copy or electronically.   I agree not to personally disclose, divulge or allow any information to be disclosed or divulged to persons outside the company unless authorized to do so by management in writing.  I also agree not to reproduce in any manner any information for purposes other than performing my duties and responsibilities for Bernard/Allison.

This ethical conduct statement is provided to all of our clients to communicate our intent to do the best we can on their behalf by trying to avoid potential conflicts of interest whenever possible.