All employees, officers and directors of Steven Madden, Ltd. are responsible for conducting themselves in compliance with this Code of Business Conduct and Ethics other policies of the Company and applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Company adopted the Code in order to assist the Company and its employees, officers and directors with the Company’s goals of conducting its business and affairs in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations and maintaining the highest standards of ethical conduct, fair dealing and honesty. The Company also expects that any consultants or other service providers it retains will adhere to the Code.
In making employment and personnel decisions, the Company employment decisions must be based only on an employee’s or applicant’s qualifications, demonstrated skills and achievements without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status.
In carrying out the Company’s business, employees, officers and directors may learn confidential or proprietary information about the Company or third parties. Employees, officers and directors must maintain the confidentiality of all information entrusted to them, except when disclosure is authorized or legally mandated. Confidential or proprietary information includes, for example, any nonpublic information concerning the Company, including its business, properties, financial performance, results or prospects, and any nonpublic information provided by a third party with the expectation or contractual agreement that the information will be kept confidential and used solely for the business purpose for which it was conveyed. Employees, officers and directors are required to secure from unauthorized access and public view documents under their control that contain confidential or proprietary information. When such information is discarded, appropriate