Compliance Principles

Ethical and Legal Compliance

At Southern Company, we are committed to conducting business with honesty, integrity and fairness. An essential part of this commitment is our requirement that we conduct our business in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

We also expect our suppliers/contractors, in their work with us, to conduct themselves with honesty, integrity, fairness and a commitment to legal compliance. Suppliers/contractors are expected to comply with all applicable laws and regulations and certain Southern Company policies, and to communicate these expectations to their agents, subcontractors, suppliers, representatives, and employees that assist them in meeting their obligations to Southern Company ("Company").

These policies include, but are not limited to, the following:

Equal Employment / Harassment

Discrimination or harassment of any kind or character, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law, including but not limited to conduct or language derogatory to any individual that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment, will not be tolerated. Specific examples include, but are not limited to, jokes, pranks, epithets, written or graphic material, or hostility or aversion toward any individual or group.

Suppliers/contractors are expected to comply with all applicable immigration laws, including the Immigration Act of 1990.

Workplace Threats and Violence

Any conduct or acts such as threats or violence that creates a hostile, abusive, or intimidating work environment will not be tolerated. Examples of such inappropriate behaviors include, but are not limited to fighting, abusive language, inappropriate signage, use or possession of firearms on Company property, and destruction of Company or Company employee property. Any person who makes a substantial threat, exhibits threatening behavior, or engages in violent acts is subject to immediate removal from Company property and may be subject to further actions, including referral for criminal prosecution.

No Toleration of Unacceptable Behaviors

If a supplier’s representative observes a purchase employee doing or is ever asked by a purchaser employee to do something the supplier’s representative considers to be unethical, illegal, or in violation of these behavior standards, purchaser expects supplier to notify purchaser management immediately or call the Concerns Program at 1-800-492-3902.  Visit the Southern Company Concerns Program website at http://www.yourconcernmatters.southerncompany.com/ or email Concerns Program at concerns@southernco.com for options to file a concern. 

Electronic Communications

The use of the Company's computers, email, telephone or voice-mail system, that in any way involves material that is obscene, pornographic, sexually oriented, threatening, or otherwise derogatory or offensive to any individual, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status, is prohibited.

Safety and the Environment

Suppliers and Contractors are expected to meet their responsibility for assuring the safety and health of their employees and to protect the environment. The Company will choose and retain suppliers and/or contractors who consistently perform in compliance with these expectations.

Drugs and Alcohol

All individuals are prohibited from possessing, selling, distributing, using, or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs on Company property. Supplier or Contractor employees may be required to submit to a urinalysis, breath analysis, blood test or other appropriate test to identify the presence of drugs, alcohol, or hallucinogens.

Conflict of Interest

The engagement in any activity that creates a conflict of interest or appearance of the same, or that jeopardizes the integrity of Company or Contractor, is prohibited. This includes providing gifts, entertainment and trips to Company employees that are not part of a reasonable business relationship. In addition, employees involved in the application or performance of a DOE financial assistance award will disclose the required information in accordance with the Southern Company Conflicts of Interest - Department of Energy (DOE) Financial Assistance Awards Policy