Paychex and its employees have provided products and services for many years and have built up significant goodwill over time. This goodwill is one our most important assets, and Paychex employees must act to preserve and enhance our reputation.

General Standards:

• Employees must always act honestly and be clear when responding to business inquiries.
• Employees may not mislead or suggest to clients, prospective clients, outside suppliers, or fellow Paychex employees that they can make decisions or take actions that are beyond the limits of their normal responsibilities and Paychex' capabilities.
• Employees may not speak on Paychex' behalf unless you are specifically appointed by Paychex to be a spokesperson for Paychex. If you are approached for such information, it is your responsibility to decline comment and to pass the request on to your supervisor.

The Paychex principle for doing business is to pay, and to be paid, only for services performed - in other words, "a dollar's worth of work for every dollar paid." Paychex employees should not accept incentives or personal rewards intended to influence the way Paychex conducts its business.

It is Company policy that employees should not offer or receive any payment or promise to pay, any money, gift, or anything of value from clients, prospective clients, or vendors that is perceived as intended to influence any business decision. Inexpensive gifts, infrequent business meals, celebratory events, and entertainment, provided that they are not excessive and do not create an appearance of impropriety, do not violate this policy.

General Standards:

• Employees may not authorize gifts, favors, or benefits of anything other than nominal value financed by Paychex funds. Traditional business courtesies (inexpensive and infrequent lunches, dinners, etc.) are acceptable.
• Employees may not expect or encourage the receipt of gifts or gratuities from any organization or individual who has or seeks to have a business relationship with Paychex. Gifts in the form of cash or gifts immediately convertible to cash may not be accepted. Gifts of nominal value and gift cards/gift certificates of nominal value for goods or services may be accepted.
• Employees may not receive directly or indirectly, from our suppliers or potential suppliers, any commission, bonus, compensation, loan, advances, or anything of value except traditional business courtesies (inexpensive and infrequent lunches, dinners, etc.).
• Employees may not accept unusual or extended hospitality in any form including entertainment at a resort or similar accommodation, or payment of personal or business expenses.
• Employees must comply with the provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. General standards of conduct to comply with the provisions of this act include the following:
  • Employees may not make payment to, or promise to pay to, or give anything of value to any foreign official or political party, for the purpose of influencing any act or failure to act.
  • Employees may not induce any foreign official or party to use influence to affect a decision of a foreign government or agency, in order to obtain or retain business.
  • Employees may not contract with any business in which a government official or employee holds a significant interest, without the prior approval of Paychex' Legal Department.

The Company is committed to dealing fairly and honestly with its competitors. As a general rule, contacts with competitors should be limited and should always avoid subjects such as prices, customers, and suppliers. Collusion among competitors is illegal, and the consequences of a violation are severe.

General Standards:

• Employees may not knowingly make false or misleading statements regarding Paychex' competitors or the products of its competitors, customers or suppliers. It is unacceptable to communicate a negative opinion of our competitors or their products.
• Employees may not enter into an agreement or understanding, express or implied, with any competitor concerning prices, discounts, other terms or conditions of sale, profits or costs.
• Paychex expects all employees to stress the benefits of Paychex products and services in order to provide our customers with the full opportunity for equal consideration.
• Paychex prohibits the unauthorized or improper solicitation of confidential data from a competitor's employees or customers.
• Employees must comply with antitrust laws - employees may not participate in any discussion, agreement, or scheme with any competitor or potential competitor, which involves prices, territories, or customers.

It is Company policy to purchase supplies based on need, quality, service, price, terms and conditions. Paychex policy is to select significant suppliers or enter into significant supplier agreements through a competitive bid process where possible.

General Standards:

• Employees may under no circumstance attempt to coerce suppliers in any way.
• Employees should treat the confidential information of a supplier with the same protection as that of Paychex proprietary information.
• All businesses will have an equal opportunity to participate as suppliers of Paychex.