Code of Conduct
The following Code of Conduct serves as a comprehensive guide for all Karnataka Event Management Association (KEMA) members, including member companies, their employees, and all stakeholders associated with the event industry. These guidelines ensure professionalism, ethical behavior, and maintaining a high standard of operations within the industry.
General Guidelines for All Members and Employees
1. Professional Integrity
- Maintain honesty, fairness, and transparency in all business and professional dealings.
- Respect agreements, contracts, and client, vendor, and employee relationships.
2. Confidentiality and Respect
- Safeguard all confidential information and avoid disclosing sensitive details about clients, partners, or internal company matters.
- Foster a respectful workplace by ensuring inclusivity, equality, and freedom from harassment or discrimination.
3. Ethical practices and accountability
- Avoid unethical competition and refrain from defaming other members or stakeholders in the industry.
- Resolve any disputes amicably or through KEMA’s grievance redressal mechanism.
4. Sustainability and Safety
- Promote environmentally responsible practices by minimizing waste and prioritizing sustainability.
- Ensure that health and safety standards are upheld in all events and workplace settings.
For KEMA Member Companies
- When interviewing potential candidates, especially those from other KEMA member companies, the following practices are mandatory:
- Avoid asking candidates about confidential client-agency relationships, financial details, or agency-specific processes.
- Do not request or review any documentation, databases, or information the candidate brought from their previous employer.
- Hiring candidates from another KEMA member company is prohibited without a valid “Relieving Letter,” which must include:
- Confirmation of resignation and completion of all handover formalities.
- The candidate’s last drawn salary and benefits.
- Ensure that no unethically sourced information from a candidate or former employee is utilized or misused.
2. Protection of Confidential Information
- Member companies must protect all intellectual property and data, including:
- Internal processes, databases, case studies, creative assets, and client documents.
- Safeguard employee information or any sensitive materials.
- Any employee or member company found using such information without authorization will face strict penalties, including blacklisting.
- Collaborate with other KEMA members in good faith, fostering trust, transparency, and mutual respect.
- Avoid making defamatory statements about other member companies or professionals.
4. Blacklisting Procedure
- KEMA maintains a blacklist of individuals based on verified cases of fraud, financial irregularities, or unethical practices.
- Such cases are reviewed and approved by KEMA’s Executive Committee before sharing the list with member companies.
- KEMA must be notified of any violations of the Code of Conduct, including false information provided by candidates or unethical practices.
- KEMA will investigate the case and take appropriate action, including warnings, membership suspension, or termination.
For Employees of KEMA Member Companies
- Employees departing from a member company must serve the following minimum notice periods:
- Junior Employees (below manager level): 1 month.
- Senior Employees (manager level and above): 2 months.
- Employers may waive the notice period at their discretion, provided a “relieving letter” is issued detailing the last drawn salary and perks.
2. Handling Intellectual Property
- Employees are prohibited from taking or sharing the following without prior written permission from their employer:
- Company data, internal process documents, client information, databases, creative assets, or details about fellow employees.
- Any unauthorized transfer or misuse of such materials will be considered unethical and reported to KEMA.
- Employees leaving a KEMA member company to start a new firm are ineligible for KEMA membership for 12 months unless they present a “No Objection Letter” from their previous employer.
Violations and Penalties
Reporting Violations
- Violations of this Code of Conduct, including ethical breaches, misuse of information, or false reporting, should be reported promptly to KEMA’s Ethics Committee.
- The accused party can present their case during the investigation.
Actions on Violations
- KEMA retains the right to:
- Issue warnings or impose financial penalties.
- Suspend or revoke the membership of companies or individuals.
- Blacklist individuals or companies involved in serious violations and share this information with all member companies.
By adhering to this Code of Conduct, KEMA members commit to cultivating a professional, ethical, and collaborative event management industry in Karnataka. Together, we strive to create a sustainable, trustworthy, and innovative community that establishes benchmarks for excellence.
