Compliance guide
Code of Conduct Template
A code of conduct sets out the standards of behaviour you expect from everyone in your business, in plain, practical terms. This guide gives you a free template, shows how it differs from a code of ethics, and offers a done-for-you option. Looking for finished samples instead? See our code of conduct examples.
Last updated
Key takeaways
- A code of conduct turns your values into clear, expected behaviours, what people should and shouldn't do at work.
- A code of ethics sets the principles; a code of conduct sets the specific rules. Many businesses combine them into one document.
- It underpins fair, consistent management: you can't enforce a standard you've never written down.
- It's commonly requested in onboarding, HR reviews and tenders, and pairs with your equal opportunity and workplace harassment policies.
- Use the free template below, or have a tailored version prepared for you.
What is a code of conduct?
A code of conduct (or employee code of conduct) is an internal document that spells out the behaviour expected of your people, covering things like professionalism, respect, honesty, use of company resources, confidentiality and conflicts of interest. It tells everyone what "good" looks like and what crosses the line.
It's the document managers lean on to set expectations and handle issues fairly and consistently. A short, genuine code that fits how you actually work beats a long, generic one nobody reads.
Code of conduct vs code of ethics
People use the terms interchangeably, but there's a useful distinction:
- Code of ethics, the high-level principles and values that guide decisions (integrity, honesty, fairness, respect). It's the "why".
- Code of conduct, the specific, practical rules that put those principles into action (e.g. "don't accept gifts over $X"). It's the "what" and "how".
- Combined document, many businesses merge the two into a single "Code of Ethics and Conduct", which is perfectly fine for most small and medium organisations.
If you want the values-led version, see our code of ethics examples guide. This page focuses on the behaviour-led code of conduct.
What to include: code of conduct template structure
Adapt this outline to your business:
- Purpose and scope, why the code exists and who it applies to (employees, contractors, volunteers).
- Our values, the principles behind the rules, briefly.
- Expected behaviour, professionalism, respect and treating colleagues and customers well.
- Anti-harassment and discrimination, a clear stance, cross-referencing your specific policies.
- Conflicts of interest, declaring and managing personal interests.
- Gifts, bribery and corruption, what's acceptable and what isn't.
- Confidentiality and data, protecting company, customer and colleague information.
- Use of company resources, IT, email, social media and property.
- Health, safety and wellbeing, everyone's role in a safe workplace.
- Raising concerns, how to report a breach safely (links to whistleblowing).
- Consequences, what happens when the code is breached.
- Acknowledgement, a sign-off line confirming people have read and understood it.
Download the editable code of conduct template
Pop your email in and we'll send the code of conduct template (Word and PDF), with an acknowledgement sign-off ready to use.
How to write and roll out your code of conduct
A code only shapes behaviour if people know it and it's actually applied.
- 1
Start from your values
Decide the handful of principles that matter to your business, then translate them into concrete behaviours.
- 2
Adapt the template
Tailor the rules to how you actually work, and cross-reference your specific policies rather than repeating them.
- 3
Approve and communicate
Have it approved by management and share it with everyone in plain language.
- 4
Collect acknowledgements
Ask people to sign that they've read and understood it, at onboarding and after updates.
- 5
Apply it consistently
Use it as the reference point when handling behaviour issues, fairly and the same way every time.
- 6
Review regularly
Review at least annually and when your business or the law changes.
Free template vs done-for-you document
Happy to adapt the rules to your business yourself? The free template covers it. Want it tailored and ready to issue with an acknowledgement form? Here's the done-for-you option.
| Free template | Done-for-you document | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £0 | Fixed fee |
| Effort from you | A few hours editing | A short intake form |
| Fitted to your business | You write it in | Done for you |
| Acknowledgement form | Basic sample | Tailored to your roles |
| Ready to issue | You format it | Signed-ready PDF |
| If it needs changes | You redo it | We revise it free |
Prefer your code of conduct done for you?
Tell us about your business and we'll prepare a tailored code of conduct, with an acknowledgement form, ready to roll out at onboarding.
Requests for the code of conduct are reviewed and prepared manually, we'll follow up by email.