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 1. Home
 2. About Us
 3. Ethics Policy


ETHICS POLICY



The American Heart Association Ethics Policy reflects the high standard of
business conduct representing what is the hallmark of our organization. Our
Ethics Policy helps define our commitment to support a culture of openness,
trust and integrity in all we do.

We are committed to conducting all of the American Heart Association's affairs
and activities with the highest standards of ethical conduct. All of us have an
obligation to adhere to this policy and encourage others to do the same.

As volunteers and staff, we are passionate about working with all of our
customers. We must dedicate ourselves to pursuing our mission with honesty,
fairness and respect for the individual, ever mindful that there is no "right
way" to do the "wrong thing."

The Ethics Policy helps clarify our standard of conduct. It makes clear that the
American Heart Association expects volunteers and employees to understand the
ethical considerations associated with their actions. Our Ethics Policy affirms
our long standing commitment to not merely obey the law, but also to conduct our
business with integrity and without deception.

The American Heart Association’s reputation for integrity and honesty is more
important today than ever before. As we think of "what we do" at the American
Heart Association and "how we do it," always remember our responsibility to ask
ourselves: "Am I doing the ‘right thing’ for the ‘right reason‘?"


CODE OF ETHICS

The summary code of ethics includes the following provisions:

American Heart Association employees and volunteers must:

 * Proactively promote ethical behavior as a responsible partner among peers in
   the work environment.
 * Deal fairly with AHA Customers, suppliers, competitors, volunteers, and
   employees.
 * Provide constituents with information that is accurate, completely objective,
   relevant, timely, and understandable.
 * Comply with applicable government laws, rules and regulations.
 * Maintain the confidentiality of information entrusted to them by the AHA or
   its Customers except when authorized or otherwise legally obligated to
   disclose.
 * Accept responsibility for preventing, detecting, and reporting all manner of
   fraud.
 * Be honest and ethical in their conduct, including ethical handling of actual
   or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional
   relationships.
 * Protect and ensure the proper use of company assets.
 * Prohibit improper or fraudulent influence over the External Auditor.

The purpose for this ethics policy is to support a culture of openness, trust,
and integrity in all American Heart Association management and business
practices.  A well understood ethics policy requires the participation and
support of every AHA volunteer and employee.

At the American Heart Association, we are dedicated to working with our
volunteers, employees, partners, vendors and customers to reduce disability and
death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke.  We are committed to conducting
all of the AHA’s affairs and activities with the highest standards of ethical
conduct.  The AHA Code of Conduct in the Human Resources Policy Manual provides
guidance for decisions and actions during our daily work.

We are committed to the responsible use of AHA assets; to provide accurate,
complete and objective information; to respect the confidentiality of financial
and other information; to act in good faith and exercise due care in all we do;
to comply with all rules and regulations, and to proactively promote ethical
behavior.

The AHA’s Ethics are built on the AHA’s Guiding Values.  As such, we acknowledge
our individual responsibility to ensure our collective success by practicing and
promoting the following values which reflect a shared view of how we want to
operate and be seen by others.


OUR VALUES

 * Improving and Extending People’s Lives
 * Bringing Science to Life
 * Speaking with a Trustworthy Voice
 * Building Powerful Partnerships
 * Inspiring Passionate Commitment
 * Meeting People Where They Are
 * Making an Extraordinary Impact
 * Ensuring Equitable Health for All


OUR PEOPLE

The AHA is committed to provide a work environment that values diversity among
its volunteers and employees.  All Human Resource policies and activities are
intended to create a respectful workplace where every individual has the
opportunity to reach their highest potential.

Employees are provided opportunities regardless of race, color, national origin,
religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status or
disability. These policies apply to both applicants and employees in all phases
of employment including, recruiting, hiring, placement, training, development,
transfer, promotion, demotion, performance reviews, compensation, benefits and
separation from employment.

We will evaluate how we are living up to our code of ethics by requesting
feedback on a regular basis from our employees, volunteers and customers. We
will provide all of our stakeholders a mechanism to report unethical conduct. We
will begin with employee orientation and regularly communicate all of these
expectations to employees and volunteers.

AHA volunteers, employees, contractors and suppliers are expected to report any
practices or actions believed to be inappropriate to their supervisor, another
AHA leader, the Human Resources department, or via the AHA ethics hotline.




OUR CUSTOMERS

We are dedicated to 100% customer satisfaction.   We are devoted to developing
“customer enthusiasm” and are passionate about exceeding customer expectations.
We dedicate ourselves to anticipating the changing needs of customers and
creating timely, innovative and superior programs, products and services.


FRAUD

Fraud is defined as any intentional act or omission designed to deceive others,
resulting in the victim suffering a loss and/or the perpetrator achieving a
gain.  The AHA Board of Directors and Senior Management have adopted a “no fraud
tolerance” attitude.  In addition to the Board, volunteers, management and staff
at all levels of the Association have responsibility for preventing, detecting
and reporting fraud.

In addition to the definition of fraud set out above, this policy covers any
dishonest or fraudulent act, including but not limited to:

 * Misappropriation of funds, securities, supplies or other assets.
 * Impropriety in the handling or reporting of money or financial transactions.
 * Profiteering as a result of insider knowledge of company plans or activities.
 * Disclosing confidential and proprietary information to outside parties.
 * Intentional, false representation or concealment of a material fact for the
   purpose of inducing another to act upon it to procure an advantage, benefit
   or gain.
 * Accepting or seeking anything of material value from contractors, vendors or
   persons providing services/materials to AHA, unless pursuant to the
   Acceptance of Gifts Policy.
 * Destruction, removal, or unauthorized use of records, furniture, fixtures,
   and equipment.
 * Any similar or related irregularity.

Each member of management will be familiar with the types of improprieties that
might occur within his or her area of responsibility and be alert for any
indication of irregularity.  An employee, volunteer, consultant, vendor,
contractor, or outside agency doing business with AHA shall immediately report
any irregularity that is detected or suspected, as instructed below under
‘Reporting Ethics Violations.’  Any employee or person who suspects or reports
dishonest or fraudulent activity shall not attempt to personally conduct
investigations or interviews related to any suspected fraudulent act. 
Investigations will be coordinated with the Legal Department and other affected
groups, both internal and external.  For additional information regarding
fraudulent activities, refer to the AHA Fraud Risk Management Program.


CONFLICT OF INTEREST

[See AHA Conflict of Interest Standards]


ASSOCIATION'S PROPERTY AND INFORMATION

Employees and volunteers are expected to protect the AHA’s property at all
times; including cash, equipment, records, employee, and customer information. 
This also requires employees and volunteers to maintain confidentiality
regarding AHA records, and employee and customer information.


NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

It is AHA policy that the volunteer membership and staff structures and all
programs and activities of the American Heart Association, its Affiliates and
components shall be designed and conducted without regard to race, religion,
national origin, sex, age, disability or other non-merit criteria.


REPORTING VIOLATIONS

If you have questions or concerns about compliance with any of the policies
listed above, or are unsure about what is the “right thing” to do, we strongly
encourage you to first talk with your supervisor, program leader, another AHA
Leader or the Human Resources department.  If for any reason you are
uncomfortable talking to any of these individuals, contact the AHA ethics
hotline at 866-293-2427 or www.ethicspoint.com(link opens in new window) to
report your concerns. Your calls will be handled in confidence. No director,
trustee, officer, employee or volunteer who in good faith reports an action or
suspected action taken by or within the AHA that is illegal, fraudulent, or in
violation of any adopted policy will suffer intimidation, harassment,
discrimination or other retaliation. The AHA treats complaints about and reports
of possible discrimination seriously and investigates them as required by our
procedures and any applicable laws.



*All health/medical information on this website has been reviewed and approved
by the American Heart Association, based on scientific research and American
Heart Association guidelines. Find more information on our content editorial
process.




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