BL Companies | Employee Handbook | 2024

Gifts and Political Contributions The Company expects all employees to use only legitimate practices in commercial operations and in promoting the Company position on issues before governmental authorities. As stated below, “kickbacks” or “bribes” intended to induce or reward favorable buying decisions and governmental actions are unacceptable and prohibited. Many states have restrictions on gift giving to government employees and legal requirements vary. Before giving gifts, including the purchase of food and beverage, to municipal, state or federal employees in any location, please consult the Legal Department. Additionally, many states and municipalities have restrictions on campaign contributions if the consultant does business with the state or municipality. Therefore, before making a contribution to someone running for state, town or country office, please consult the Legal Department. Clients’ Policies Many clients, including local or county governments and publicly-traded companies, have policies prohibiting or restricting gifts to their employees. All employees should become familiar with any gift or entertainment policy such client has. All BL Companies’ employees working for such a client should strictly adhere to the client’s policy.

Bills for Services and Timekeeping The Company is committed to accurate and timely billing for all services provided to its clients. BL will bill only for services provided under contract in accordance with its billing procedures and policies. Employees must never submit false information on any bills. Employees should charge their time to the project they worked on and may not charge time to a project they did not work on. Altering, falsifying, tampering with time records or expense vouchers or recording time on another employee’s time record will result in disciplinary action. Document Retention and Litigation Hold Procedures Document retention is critically important to the Company’s business operations. All business records including documents, electronic records, email, voicemails and any other form of media should be maintained as required by the Document Retention Policy, which is found on the Company’s Intranet. Reporting Violations of the Code of Conduct The Company seeks to foster a workplace that is conducive to open communication regarding the Company’s business practices and ethical standards. In connection with those efforts, the Company is committed to protecting its employees from unlawful retaliation for properly disclosing or reporting conduct that they perceive to be illegal, unethical or of otherwise questionable nature.

Employees must treat all information about the Company’s clients, their projects and other business information as confidential and not disclose it to, or discuss it with, anyone outside the Company.

Employee Handbook

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