Introduction
January 31, 2011
Our Code of Ethics advises us on proper business conduct.
It links our values – Southern Style – to the company’s high
expectations for ethical behavior.
Each Code provision addresses an important dimension of our business.
Where more specific information is needed, Southern Company and
subsidiary policies provide details.
More information, including frequently asked questions, links to training
and related information, is also available on the Ethics and Compliance
intranet Web site.Dear
Colleagues:
Reliability, affordable prices and customer
satisfaction make up Southern Company’s business model, or as I often like
to call it, our Circle of Life. And it’s how we turn the circle that defines
us as a company. That is why adherence to Southern Style and ethical
behavior are as critical to our business as our plants and power lines.
Southern Style drives our behavior, and ethical behavior is our standard.
Each day Southern Company employees model Southern
Style in everything we do. That kind of performance has earned us a high
level of trust among our customers, shareholders and regulators. It has also
created a work environment that reflects who we are. When our neighbors ask
us where we work, we are happy to tell them that we work for Southern
Company.
Our Code of Ethics maps out the specific behaviors that make Southern
Style real. The Code sets clear expectations of what it means to work at
Southern Company. Use it as a guide whenever you face an ethical dilemma.
I expect everyone in Southern Company, especially me,
and all our subsidiaries to do the same. Any director, officer, employee or
vendor who violates the Code puts his or her relationship with the company
in jeopardy.
Whenever you face an ethical challenge, see your
supervisor or compliance manager, or talk to Concerns. They are your
resources for confronting difficult situations. And if you see unethical
conduct, report it. We want to know, and we will make it right.
I am proud of our employees and our company’s
performance. But I am even more proud of how we do our work and our
adherence to Southern Style and this Code.
Sincerely,
Thomas A.
Fanning
Our Employees
We treat each other with fairness, respect, and dignity, offering equal
opportunities to all individuals. Intimidation, harassment, or
discrimination based on race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin,
veteran's status, sexual orientation, or disability is not tolerated. We
value individual differences and encourage different perspectives and ideas
- understanding that inclusion and diversity are strengths that unlock our
full potential and help us achieve our goals. We take personal
responsibility for individual and organizational success, while recognizing
the value each of us contributes. Everyone who works for the company is
recognized and competitively rewarded for their contributions.
Safety & Health
All accidents can be prevented. Safety, a key measure
of our success, is our individual and collective responsibility.
We do not compromise safety and health. Because we care, we value the health
and safety of each other, our contractors, and the public by conducting
business in a manner designed to preserve the well-being of all. We work
safely, watch out for each other and report and correct unsafe situations.
We keep our workplace free from violence, illegal drugs and the
inappropriate use of alcohol.
The Environment
We are committed to improving our environmental performance and the
communities we serve by being good environmental stewards and working to
conserve valuable natural resources. The health of our employees, customers,
and the public, and the protection of our natural environment are among our
highest priorities.
Compliance with Laws and Regulations
We respect the law. We comply with all laws and
regulations. We have a responsibility to understand the laws and how they
apply to our jobs.
The company supports each employee in this responsibility and provides the
necessary resources for compliance. All employees have a
Duty to Act – an obligation to
report activities that may be in violation of any applicable law or
regulation. If it is found that any law or regulation has been violated,
corrective and responsible action will be taken.
Confidential Information
We use confidential information only for the business purpose for which it
was developed or given, and never for anyone’s personal benefit. We respect
the confidentiality of information about the Company, its customers,
employees, vendors and partners. We comply with the laws and regulations
that prohibit insider trading of securities. We protect the intellectual
property rights, including copyrights, patents,
licenses and trademarks, and other proprietary information of the company
and others.
Conflict of Interest
We avoid conflicts, and the appearance of conflicts,
between our company responsibilities and personal interests. We use
corporate resources - time, personnel, equipment and supplies – only for
company business or company approved activities.
We do not take personal advantage of business opportunities through the use
of company property, information or position. The company's directors,
officers and employees do not engage in business activities in competition
with the company. Any potential conflict of interest must be disclosed
promptly to management.
Gifts and Gratuities
We do not accept, offer or authorize gifts,
entertainment, or other favors that are not a reasonable part of a business
relationship. The acceptance of a gift or gratuity must comply with
subsidiary company policy. We
exercise hospitality with discretion, so as not to jeopardize the integrity
of those with whom we do business.
Political Activities
We value and encourage citizenship. Employees have
the opportunity, as individuals, to support political candidates and
engage in political activities of their own free choice. Company
resources will not be used to support political candidates, parties, or
committees unless permitted by law and any such activity shall be
approved by executive management.
Because rules regarding gifts, gratuities and entertainment to public
officials can vary from state to state and even from agency to agency,
we do not offer a gift of any type, including meals, to any public
official unless we have determined that such a gift is appropriate and
legal.
Competitive Practices
We compete vigorously, but fairly, on the basis of
price, superior services, dependability and products. We do not enter into
understandings or agreements with competitors regarding prices, terms of
sales, division of markets or customers, or any other activity that
restricts competition.
We conduct competitive marketing activities, including the advertising of
products and services and the gathering of competitive intelligence, fairly
and honestly.
Financial Integrity
We are prudent in our expenditures on behalf of the company and we record
all business transactions in accordance with accepted accounting principles.
We maintain appropriate internal controls to prevent or detect fraud and
ensure every accounting or financial record, and supporting data, describes
the transaction accurately without omission, concealment or falsification.
Our financial integrity commitment also extends to business transactions
between subsidiary companies to ensure all activity is properly reflected.
We maintain and retain all business records accurately and in compliance
with applicable laws and company policy. We believe in making full, fair,
accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in the reports we file under
securities laws and in other public communications.
External Relationships
We are known by our customers for the quality and value
of our services and for telling the truth, keeping our promises, and dealing
fairly and ethically with everyone. The relationships we have established
are built on trust that we must re-earn every day.
Our commitment to earn trust guides all our business
decisions. This extends to our customers, employees, vendors, contractors,
regulators, stockholders, and neighbors. Southern Company seeks to always
maintain the highest standards of integrity and objectivity in our working
relationships and will not conduct business with anyone who does not operate
with integrity or who compromises the company's values and ethical
standards.
Duty To Act
Each of us is required to report promptly to management any activities that
may be in violation of this Code, other company policies, or any applicable
laws or regulations. When practical, our supervisors should be the first
source of assistance, but Compliance Officers and the Concerns Program are
other options for reporting suspected wrong doing. The Concerns Program can
also be used to report issues regarding questionable accounting practices,
violations of internal accounting controls or auditing matters directly to
the Southern Company Audit Committee. Retaliation
against anyone fulfilling their duty to act will not be tolerated.
ConclusionAt Southern
Company, ethics mean more than just obeying laws and following policies.
SouthernStyle requires that we speak out when we see a possible violation of
the Code. It also calls on us to encourage and help others to act ethically.
Much more is expected of us
today than ever before with regard to our ethical standards. We should seize
every opportunity to model the values and behavior that make Southern
Company a premier organization.
No
waivers of the provisions of this Code of Ethics may be granted to
employees, officers, or board members without authorization from the
appropriate compliance officer or in certain circumstances the Southern
Company Board of Directors. Waivers will be disclosed as required by
applicable law, regulation, or rule.
This policy does not create any
contractual right to employment, employee benefits, or other terms and
conditions of employment.