Betenbough Companies
in office
COMPANY DRESS STANDARDS | As a team member, you contribute to our brand reputation and our core value of excellence by having a professional appearance. Your leader will provide and describe supplemental details that define professional appearance for your specific role, brand, and team. Dress standards also apply while traveling to other regions, conferences, or trainings (unless otherwise stated by your leader). If a leader finds that your personal appearance is inappropriate, you will be asked to leave work and return dressed appropriately. Team members that choose to not meet professional dress standards could be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
Supplemental professional dress standards will be provided for the following team member categories:
- Customer Facing - Team members who spend a significant portion of their day working with guests and customers (examples: banquet and sales teams, experience specialists, hospitality specialists, warranty technicians, etc.).
- Field - Team members who work in the field for significant portion of their day (examples: builder, farmer, home office property/facilities, detail technician, community developer, etc.).
- The Willows & Ninety-Two Bakery & Cafe - Team members who are employed under the brand of The Willows Event Center or Ninety-Two Bakery & Cafe.
- Office - Team Members who spend a significant portion of their day in the home office or regional office and do not frequently interact with guests and customers.
THE COACHING CONTINUUM | Instead of annual performance reviews, we believe in coaching and continuous feedback as a lifestyle. Part of our relational style is helping team members identify gaps to help them grow and be successful. The coaching continuum provides a visual explanation of our ongoing culture of feedback and disciplinary approach.
The type of coaching or correction depends on the severity of the circumstance. There are times when the best thing for the person is to jump straight to a written warning, 911 call, or even termination. Your direct leader and/or executive leadership will determine the level of correction needed.
1 Degree Corrections Defined as little adjustments we want to close the gap on. We are committed to addressing issues before they have a chance to grow into something significant. We see these corrections as “in the green” meaning they are part of coaching an individual.
Verbal Warning Defined as corrections that are more than a 1 degree and considered “in the yellow.” This correction is documented with Employee Support but is not a written, signed form.
Written Warning Defined as corrections that need dramatic improvement on a consistent basis and considered “in the red. This document is signed, and follow-ups are performed to ensure timely and consistent improvement.
911 Call This is a special type of written warning that requires immediate turn around in correction and considered a “last opportunity —in the red.” These issues must not be repeated.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION | We encourage a healthy, honest, and transparent atmosphere. We expect team members to treat each other with mutual respect. We also support and encourage an environment of continuous feedback, both with your leader and your peers. Our heart is to prevent disunity or gossip by addressing concerns with the appropriate person.
Continued success of conflict resolution is dependent on healthy and consistent feedback. The following steps should be taken to resolve conflict or disagreements among peers and/or with your leader:
Number One You are encouraged to express your concerns directly with the person in conflict first. This supports the opportunity for the healthiest conflict resolution. If you believe it inappropriate to discuss with the person directly, please seek counsel from your leader and/or Employee Support.
Number Two If your conflict is not resolved after discussion directly, please approach the next appropriate leader. For example, if it’s a peer — connect with your leader. If it’s your leader — connect with your leader’s leader.
It is our belief that every team member plays a role in the growth and excellence of their peers and leaders. People are able to reach their highest potential when they are aware a problem exists.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST | A conflict of interest occurs when you are in a position to influence a decision or have business dealings on behalf of the Company that might result in a personal gain for you and/or a relative i.
If you have any influence where there is a potential conflict of interest, you must inform your leader immediately. When we are well informed, safeguards can be set up to protect everyone involved.
The possibility for personal gain is not limited to situations where you or your relative have a significant ownership in a firm with which we do business. Personal gains can also result from situations where you or your relative receive a kickback, bribe, substantial gift, or special consideration as a result of a transaction or business dealing involving us.
SEXUAL AND OTHER UNLAWFUL HARASSMENT | We strive to create and maintain a work environment in which people are treated with dignity, decency, and respect. The environment of the Company should be characterized by mutual trust and the absence of intimidation, oppression, and exploitation. We will not tolerate unlawful discrimination or harassment of any kind. Harassment is any verbal or physical conduct designed to threaten, intimidate, or coerce a team member, co-worker, or any person working for or on behalf of the Company.
We prohibit harassment of any kind, including sexual harassment, and will take appropriate and immediate action in response to complaints or knowledge of violations of this policy. Violation of this policy may lead to disciplinary action, up to and including immediate termination of employment.
Complaints should be submitted as soon as possible after an incident has occurred, preferably in writing to confidential@betenbough.com. A member of Employee Support may assist the complainant in completing a written statement or, in the event an team member refuses to provide information in writing, Employee Support will dictate the verbal complaint.
ALCOHOL AND DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE | We are committed to be an alcohol and drug-free, healthy, and safe environment for all team members and the heart of this policy is not only to provide a safe work environment, but to also help our people lead healthy lives. There are many people in our organization that have a history of drug use and the fact that we have random alcohol and drug screenings provides enough accountability to keep them from turning back to that unhealthy lifestyle. Our goal isn’t to “catch people,” but to help our people not be entangled by substance abuse, which has destroyed countless families, marriages, and lives. As a result, alcohol and drug testing will be required as a condition of employment and all team members will be tested at least once annually.
Team members are required to be in a mental and physical condition that will allow you to perform your job satisfactorily. Team members may not use, possess, distribute, sell, or be under the influence of an illegal substance as defined by the state of Texas, at any time. Also, this policy prohibits the presence of a “prohibited substance” in the team member's system while at work, while on company premises or its customers, or while on company business or in attendance to a company event.
"Prohibited substances" include illegal drugs, alcohol, or prescription drugs not taken in accordance with a prescription given to the team member. Our company drug screening process requires all collected specimens to be sent to a certified laboratory and tested for evidence of marijuana (THC), cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, phencyclidine (PCP), benzodiazepines, methadone, methaqualone, barbiturates and propoxyphene use. The laboratory will screen all specimens and a certified Medical Review Officer (MRO) will confirm all positive screens. Betenbough Companies will stand by the initial drug and alcohol testing results.
It is the responsibility of the team member to understand the possible ingredients of any product that they may consume or use including any CBD-related products.
Violation of this policy or refusal to be tested may lead to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
TOBACCO, E-CIGARETTE, AND NICOTINE-FREE WORKPLACE | The use of any tobacco, e-cigarettes, or nicotine-related products are not permitted to be used by team members on Company property ii at any time. Team members are also prohibited from having the scent of tobacco, e-cigarette, or nicotine products on their person while working or on Company property.
Also, the use of any tobacco, e-cigarettes, or nicotine-related products is not allowed while away on Company travel or when attending business-related functions. Some examples include but are not limited to: Company retreats, conferences, Company-sponsored community events, vision trips, etc.
WORKPLACE MONITORING | We may conduct workplace monitoring to help ensure quality control, team member safety, security, and customer satisfaction. The equipment, services, and technology that you use to access the internet are the property of the Company. We reserve the right to monitor how you use the internet and review any data that you write, send, or receive through our online connections or store in our computer systems.
Team members who regularly communicate with customers may have their telephone conversations monitored or recorded for training and performance purposes.
SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY | It is important to keep in mind that you, as a team member, represent our Company, culture, and core values. As a representative, this accountability extends to your social media activities including posts, photos, videos, and comments. You are expected to use good judgment when posting on social media. Some helpful guidelines for social media use are included below.
- Refrain from using or sharing content that includes profanity, crude language, hate language, disparaging language, or any other media inappropriate for the workplace. This not only may reflect poorly on the Company but could affect other employees and the work environment.
- Maintain the confidentiality of the Company’s trade secrets and private or confidential information. Trade secrets may include information regarding the development of brands, systems, processes, products, know-how, and technology. Do not post internal reports, policies, procedures, or other internal business-related confidential communications.
- We encourage team members to share posts from our official Company branded pages; however, as a team member, you should refrain from writing posts or making comments on any social media platforms on the Company’s behalf.
- Do not establish a social media page, handle, or account using the Company or brand names (unless approved by the Marketing Team).
- If you see any posts or comments on social media platforms that you think reflect poorly on the Company, contact the Marketing Team and they will review the content to determine what action to take. You should avoid engaging on social media with individuals making negative comments about the company.
EMPLOYEE CONFIDENTIALITY & NONDISCLOSURE | During your employment with the Company, you will have access to certain information that is considered confidential, proprietary, or trade secret. You cannot disclose to others or use for your own benefit or the benefit of others, any proprietary information and trade secrets to which you have access, including those listed above, without permission from the Company. All team members are required to sign an agreement upon the commencement of your employment. The document team members are provide states the following:
During your employment with Betenbough Companies, PBC, and Subsidiaries, hereinafter collectively referred to as “Company”, you will have access to certain information that is considered confidential, proprietary, or trade secret (“Confidential Information”). Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, the following examples:
Company business, research, new product plans and objectives and/or strategies, sales information, profits, pricing methods and any other unpublished financial or pricing information, yields, designs, efficiencies, capacities and process flows of the production facilities, methods and systems, proprietary information received or developed under contracts with others, unpublished information relating to the companies’ patent applications and patent disclosures, information relating to the personnel and organization, particularly for recruiting purposes, customer and vendor lists and detailed information regarding customer requirements, customer preferences, modes of operation, key customer contacts, customer business habits, and customer business plans that are not generally known to the public.
Employees are not to take any material, papers, computer programs, computer software, tapes or other things like this without the specific written permission of their Manager. By signing, you acknowledge that you have been advised of your obligation to the Company concerning the Confidential Information to which you have access to during your employment. You agree that you will not disclose to others or use for your own benefit or the benefit of others, any Confidential Information to which you have access including those listed above, without written permission of Betenbough Companies.
While employed, you are not entitled to utilize, and you agree you will not utilize, any proprietary information for any purpose other than for the sole benefit of Betenbough Companies. After your employment ends, you agree that you will immediately return all Confidential Information to the Company and will not retain or utilize any confidential information for any purpose.
If you improperly retain, use or disclose Company Confidential Information while employed, you understand that will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment and legal action. Improper retention use or disclosure of Confidential Information following termination may also subject you to potential legal action whether or not you get any benefit from retaining or releasing the information.
MUTUAL AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE ALL DISPUTES | In recognition that disputes may arise between employer, including its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively the “Company”) and employee during or after employee’s employment with the Company and that resolution of any disputes in court is rarely timely or cost effective for either party, the Company and employee have entered into this agreement to arbitrate any and all disputes that arise between the Company and employee.
Employee agrees to submit to mandatory, binding arbitration any and all disputes that exist or arise between employee and Betenbough Companies, PBC (including its subsidiaries, affiliates, employees, owners, members, shareholders, partners, agents, and its benefit plans) including, but not limited to disputes over the enforceability, scope and interpretation of this agreement. Betenbough Companies, PBC, on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries and affiliates agree to submit to mandatory, binding arbitration any and all disputes that exist or arise with employee to mandatory binding arbitration including, but not limited to disputes over the enforceability, scope and interpretation of this agreement. The agreement to arbitrate any and all disputes includes disputes that arose before the agreement was signed, during employment and after employment ends. in court and to a
Company and employee agree and understand that they are waiving valuable rights such as the right to have a jury trial in court and to adjudicate claims on a class, collective or representative basis.
Arbitration under this agreement shall be conducted under the American Arbitration Association’s Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes (the “rules”) and arbitrated pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act except that the arbitrator shall not have the right to conduct any arbitration on a class, collective or representative basis. All arbitrations shall be conducted as individual claims, and each resolved in a single arbitration been the employee and the Company. The Company and employee intend that all disputes shall be resolved by an arbitrator selected by the Company and the employee to arbitrate their individual disputes, and no other, even identical disputes with a third-party or other current or former employee of Company. Arbitration required under this agreement shall take place in Lubbock, Texas or at any other location, where the parties agree. A copy of the rules can be obtained at www.adr.org.
If any provision of this agreement is determined to be invalid, that invalidity shall not affect any other provision of this agreement which has not been determined to be invalid, and all of the provisions not determined to be invalid shall remain in full force and effect to the full extent consistent with law.
