Compliance and Ethics: What does Food & Beverage in the Workplace and Events Have to do with it?
A few years ago, I was hired by a corporation to help launch their Code of Conduct during Corporate Compliance & Ethics Week, which is observed annually the first week of November (THIS week). Creating the week-long, company-wide celebration required me to understand THE CODE completely so I could create fun, educational events and programs in person and virtually for their 17,000 employees worldwide.
While I adeptly learned their Code of Conduct for the three years I planned the event, and how that company and millions of others like them want to do business right, EVERY day — leading with integrity, trust, and the highest standards of business — what I took away from the opportunity was how these ethics and compliance standards, and duty of care, echo my mission to create safe, sustainable, and inclusive food and beverage experiences for everyone:
Honor Our Responsibilities
While we work in the multi-faceted, ever-changing, and massive hospitality industry and/or hold a compliance or HR role in a company, our commitment to conducting business honestly, ethically, and in compliance with industry standards is steadfast.
When it comes to serving food and beverage, honoring our responsibilities includes treating employees, customers, and vendors fairly and ethically; managing food costs; offering quality food; providing excellent service; and maintaining a safe work and dining environment. No matter our role in the food chain or the organization, country, or town we work in, we’re dedicated to upholding the highest standards of practice so everyone can participate.
Understand our Duty of Care
This legal obligation applies to individuals and organizations—including those who prepare, cook, order, and serve food/beverage to others—and requires them to adhere to a standard of reasonable care when performing any acts that could foreseeably harm others.
Bartenders should have TIPS training, food service staff should have food handler and manager certifications, food service establishments should pass and maintain high-quality health inspections, and event organizers should ensure that the food/beverage being served to their employees and participants is safe by asking questions about their food service partner’s practices.
Promote Inclusion
We include, respect, and welcome all, and we value diversity. That means we provide food and beverage experiences that:
- Think of everyone when creating menus
- Provide equitable options for those with dietary needs
- Reduce risk by setting standards for food and beverage purchased and served
- Label food/beverage clearly so people can make decisions on their own
- Plan dining spaces to be accessible for everyone, including entry and set-up
- Train staff to know and understand their role in food safety.
Do the Right Thing
The success of a food and beverage experience, be it a company sales meeting, Thanksgiving dinner at grandma’s, or a corporate dinner, depends upon the food decisions we make each and every day. Everyone in the event “food chain” —organizers, sales managers, planners, chefs, bartenders, banquet captains, servers, employees, and eaters — is responsible for ensuring safe, sustainable, and inclusive dining experiences. To do so, we must each commit to being honest, transparent, and doing the right thing to ensure an equal experience for all.
If something is not labeled correctly, Say Something. If the food served is not adequate, speak up. If someone is bullied because of what they do or do noteat/drink, Get Help.
And while “compliance” and “ethics” may sound forbidding and demanding, following them helps foster and celebrate a community and culture of integrity, inclusion, and success. We can also squash unethical conduct, improve service levels, increase loyalty, and develop better relationships, business outcomes, and sustainable organizations.
Does your company have a Code of Conduct? How do you see compliance and ethics being relevant in food and beverage experiences? Share them with me at tracy@thrivemeetings.com.