A "conflict of interest" occurs when an individual's private interest interferes in any way - or even appears to interfere - with the interests of the corporation as a whole. A conflict situation can arise at all levels within the Company when an associate, officer or Director takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her Company work objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest also arise when an associate, officer or Director, or a member of his or her family, receives improper personal benefit as a result of his or her position in the Company. Loans to, or guarantees of obligations of, such persons are of special concern.
Business decisions and actions must be based on the best interests of the Company. Relationships with prospective or existing suppliers, contractors, customers, competitors or regulators must not affect the Company's independent and sound judgment. Directors and associates may not have outside interests which conflict or appear to conflict with the best interests of the Company. Directors and associates are expected to act for the benefit of the Company and not be influenced by a personal interest that may result from other individual or business concerns. Conflicts of interest are to be scrupulously avoided, and, if unavoidable, must be disclosed to the Company (whether through disclosure to the Board of Directors, in the case of a Director or the Chief Executive Officer, or to your supervisor, in any other case) at the earliest opportunity. If you have any uncertainty about whether your actions or relationships present a conflict of interest, contact your supervisor or the Legal Department for guidance, or if you are a Director, consult with the Corporate Secretary or General Counsel, who will then consult with the Chairman of the Board, or the full Board, as necessary.
Family Members and Close Personal Relationships
Conflicts of interest may arise when doing business with or competing with organizations in which associates' family members have an ownership or employment interest. Family members include spouses, parents, children, siblings and in-laws. It is anticipated that in a large organization such as this, family members may be associated with organizations with whom the Company does business as associates (paid or unpaid) prior to, after or at the time we hire their relative. In these circumstances it would be highly disruptive to the individual and to the Company to view the family member's association as an inherent conflict of interest. However, such relationships could create the appearance of a conflict of interest. Therefore, such associates must take extra care that all decisions they make are in the Company's best interests and not for their own or their relatives' personal gain. If an associate is concerned about the appearance of impropriety, the associate should immediately contact a representative of the Corporate Responsibility Office for assistance.
Directors and associates may not seek or accept loans or guarantees of obligations from the Company for themselves or their family members. The use of a Dillard's charge card is permitted. Associates may not seek or accept loans or guarantees of obligations (except from banks), for themselves or their family members, from any individual, organization or business entity doing (or seeking to do) business with the Company. Associates must report to their supervisor promptly all offers of the above type, even when refused.
Ownership in Other Business
Associates may not own, directly or indirectly, a significant financial interest in any business entity that does or seeks to do business with, or is in competition with, the Company unless specific written approval has been granted in advance by the Legal Department. As a guide, "a significant financial interest" is defined as ownership by an associate and/or family members of more than 1% of the outstanding securities/capital value of a corporation or that represents more than 5% of the total assets. of the associate and/or family members.
Corporate Opportunities
It is Company policy that Directors and associates may not take for themselves personally opportunities that are discovered through the use of Company property, information or position, nor may they use Company property, information or position for personal gain. Furthermore, Directors and associates may not compete with the Company. Associates and Directors have a duty to the Company to advance its legitimate interests where the opportunity to do so arises.
Directors and associates are prohibited from directly or indirectly buying, or otherwise acquiring rights to any property or material, when such persons actually know that the Company may be interested in pursuing such opportunity and the information is not public.
Gifts, Gratuities and Entertainment
Associates and their family members must not accept, directly or indirectly, gifts or gratuities from persons, firms, or corporations with whom the Company does or might do business that are greater than nominal in value unless the actual gift has been specifically approved by the appropriate Corporate Officer.
The Company does not offer gifts, gratuities or entertainment to persons, firms or corporations with whom the Company does or might do business, except for modest items and reasonable entertainment. All gifts, gratuities and entertainment must be properly reported on expense statements.
The Company, as a responsible corporate citizen, can make donations of money or products to worthy causes, including fundraising campaigns.
Fair Dealing
When representing the Company in any business transaction, each associate should endeavor to deal fairly with the Company's customers, suppliers, competitors and associates. No associate should take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts, or any other unfair-dealing practice.
Relationships with Suppliers
The Company encourages good supplier relations. However, associates may not benefit personally, whether directly or indirectly, from any purchase of goods or services for or from the Company. Associates whose responsibilities include purchasing (be it merchandise, fixtures, services, real estate or other), or who have contact with suppliers, must not exploit their position for personal gain. Under no circumstances may any associate receive cash or cash equivalents from any supplier, whether directly or indirectly.
Samples
It is accepted business practice for vendors to distribute samples to potential purchasers. Company policy is that, to the extent necessary to make a reasonable appraisal of new products, samples of such products may be accepted in small quantities by associates when done in furtherance of the Company's business interests.
Reporting Violations; Confidentiality
The Company has established the following procedures associates can use for getting help with a potential issue or reporting a violation of the Code or other problem. When you believe you or another associate may have violated the Code or an applicable law, rule or regulation, it is your responsibility to immediately report the violation. Similarly, if you are a supervisor and you have received information from an associate concerning activity that he or she believes may violate the Code or that you believe may violate the Code, you should report the matter.
All reports and inquiries will be handled confidentiality to the greatest extent possible under the circumstances. Associates may choose to remain anonymous, though in some cases that could make it more difficult to follow up and ensure resolution of their inquiry. As mentioned above, no associate will be subject to retaliation or punishment for reporting suspected unethical or illegal conduct by another associate as provided in this Code or for coming forward to alert the Company of any questionable situation.
In addition to reporting suspected violations to his/her supervisor, an associate may report suspected violations to the Internal Audit Department or any Corporate Officer. Furthermore, the Company has designated a core team of corporate officers who together form the Corporate Responsibility Office for you to pursue your concerns. The Corporate Responsibility Office includes:
Phillip Watts, Principal Financial Officer
Telephone: 501-376-5200
Email: phillip.watts@dillards.com
Bobby Barrett - Internal Audit
Telephone: 501-376-5200
Email: bobby.barrett@dillards.com
Dean Worley, General Counsel
Telephone: 501-376-5200
Email: dean.worley@dillards.com
In addition, any person who has any questions or comments for the Presiding Member of the Non Management Members of the Board of Directors or the Non Management Directors as a group or a complaint regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters may write to the Director(s) or Audit Committee at "Presiding Member of Non Management Members of the Board of Directors" or "Non Management Members of the Board of Directors" or "Audit Committee of the Board of Directors", respectively, at 1600 Cantrell Rd. Little Rock, AR, 72201.