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Ethics Policy & Code

Our Ethics Policy & Code was last updated on September 25th, 2022.

At Bug & Claw, I (Spencer, owner, CEO) want anyone who interacts with me or any eventual employee, the products, the company or the brand in any way, to have a positive and respectful experience. I also want to ensure, by releasing this ethics policy and code of ethics before releasing many products or hiring any folks for aid, that it helps set things up for success.

Authenticity & honesty

  1. Feedback is a gift, a gift that can help guide our development in life and business. We seek feedback, especially to uncover our mistakes, so that we may improve. Just as we don't hide from our successes, neither do we hide from our failures, so that when we overcome them they too become our successes.
  2. We do not seek to influence others voices in how they speak about our products/games.
  3. We answer questions clearly and honestly, to the best of our ability, when information is ready to be public. We do not lie, stretch the truth, or omit harmful facts.

Coverage

  1. Official advertising is created by Bug & Claw.
  2. Ads should be clearly recognized as advertising. Either because the medium naturally causes them to be recognizes as such (eg appears with words "Advertisement" or "Paid promotion") or because we take precautions to make sure viewers understand they're viewing an ad.
  3. Bug & Claw does not pay for reviews, sponsored opinions, quotes, news, editorials, etcetera.
  4. Bug & Claw may provide journalists and other parties copies of products at no cost to them, which they are not obligated to return. This may be in advance of the official release of that product. There are no demands, preconditions, or expectations for coverage. Maybe just compost it instead of burning it if it's a physical product and you don't like it. Better for the environment.
  5. We may offer information under embargoes. All this means to us is that some information is not meant to be published until a set time.

Respect

We all deserve to operate, work, and game in an environment where we are treated with dignity and respect. Bug & Claw is committed to creating such an environment because it brings out the full potential in each of us, which, in turn, contributes directly to our business success. We cannot afford to let anyone’s talents go to waste.

Bug & Claw is an equal employment/affirmative action employer and is committed to providing a workplace that is free of discrimination of all types and from abusive, offensive or harassing behavior. Any employee who feels harassed or discriminated against should report the incident to his or her manager or to human resources. Bug & Claw stands with victims and takes a one strike rule against harassers and abusers.

All Bug & Claw employees are also expected to support an inclusive workplace by adhering to the following conduct standards:

  1. Treat others with dignity and respect at all times.
  2. Address and report inappropriate behavior and comments that are discriminatory, harassing, abusive, offensive or unwelcome.
  3. Foster teamwork and employee contribution, ensuring the representation of different perspectives.
  4. Seek out insights from employees with different experiences, perspectives and backgrounds.
  5. Avoid slang or idioms that might not translate across cultures.
  6. Confront the decisions or behaviors of others that are based on conscious or unconscious biases.
  7. Be open-minded and listen when given constructive feedback regarding others' perception of your conduct.
  8. Bug & Claw will not tolerate discrimination, harassment or any behavior or language that is abusive, offensive or unwelcome. The only prejudice that is okay is the prejudice of prejudice.

Bug & Claw expects respect and dignity from its partners as well and reserves the right to revoke sponsorships or affiliate partnerships when content, hosts, or behaviour, is hurtful to audiences, players, or others involved, or violates local or federal laws in either Bug & Claw or the partner's juridictions, or community codes of conduct.

Create a culture of open and honest communication

At Bug & Claw everyone should feel comfortable to speak their mind, particularly with respect to ethics concerns. Managers have a responsibility to create an open and supportive environment where employees feel comfortable raising such questions. We all benefit tremendously when employees exercise their power to prevent mistakes or wrongdoing by asking the right questions at the right times.

Bug & Claw will investigate all reported instances of questionable or unethical behavior. In every instance where improper behavior is found to have occurred, the company will take appropriate action. We will not tolerate retaliation against employees who raise genuine ethics concerns in good faith.

Proprietary information

It is important that we respect the property rights of others. We will not acquire or seek to acquire improper means of a competitor’s trade secrets or other proprietary or confidential information. We will not engage in unauthorized use, copying, distribution or alteration of software or other intellectual property.

Selective disclosure

We will not selectively disclose (whether in one-on-one or small discussions, meetings, presentations, proposals or otherwise) any material nonpublic information with respect to Bug & Claw, its securities, business operations, plans, financial condition, results of operations or any development plan. We should be particularly vigilant when making presentations or proposals to customers to ensure that our presentations do not contain material nonpublic information.

Do the right thing

Several key questions can help identify situations that may be unethical, inappropriate or illegal. Ask yourself:

  • Does what I am doing comply with the Bug & Claw guiding principles, Code of Conduct and company policies?
  • Have I been asked to misrepresent information or deviate from normal procedure?
  • Would I feel comfortable describing my decision at a staff meeting where both my loved ones and a judge were present (imagine you miraculously have little fear of public speaking in this bizarre hypothetical)?
  • How would it look if it made the headlines?
  • Am I being loyal to my family, my company and myself?
  • What would I tell my child to do?
  • Is this the right thing to do?
  • If I don't have the courage to stand up on my own who can I get to help stand with me?