-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Vxk0r8h8g10RPTrLbkabPXmb6Lqu2i22iMmZjT7kJKUnUs4Lxck0nty1dfYc16ns u/ZBfkwjhLub71N+LJxJzw== 0001018946-09-000015.txt : 20090305 0001018946-09-000015.hdr.sgml : 20090305 20090305170450 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001018946-09-000015 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20081107 ITEM INFORMATION: Amendments to the Registrant's Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics FILED AS OF DATE: 20090305 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20090305 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: STEINER LEISURE LTD CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001018946 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-PERSONAL SERVICES [7200] IRS NUMBER: 980164731 STATE OF INCORPORATION: C5 FISCAL YEAR END: 1206 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-28972 FILM NUMBER: 09659518 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 770 SOUTH DIXIE HWY. CITY: CORAL GABLES STATE: FL ZIP: 33146 BUSINESS PHONE: 3053589002 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: STE 104A STREET 2: SAFFREY SQ CITY: NASSAU STATE: C5 ZIP: 00000 8-K 1 stnr8k.htm UNITED STATES

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT Pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

November 7, 2008

Date of report (date of earliest event reported)

 

STEINER LEISURE LIMITED

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Commonwealth of The Bahamas

(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

 

0-28972

98-0164731

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

Suite 104A, Saffrey Square

 

P.O. Box N-9306

Nassau, The Bahamas

Not Applicable

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

 

(242) 356-0006

(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Item 5.05.  Amendments to the Registrant's Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics

(a) This report discloses an administrative amendment to Section III of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the "Code") of Steiner Leisure Limited (the "Company"), approved and adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting of November 7, 2008. The amendment, applicable to each director, officer or employee who is involved in the Company's disclosure process, formalizes an existing procedural step for reviewing financial disclosure by adding the requirement that all such Company personnel must: "present for approval significant decisions with respect to financial disclosure to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors prior to making such financial disclosure."

The foregoing description of the amendment to the Code is qualified in its entirety by reference to the amended Code, a complete copy of which is filed as Exhibit 14.1 to this Form 8-K, and which is incorporated herein by reference. The amended Code is also available on the Company's website at www.steinerleisure.com on the Corporate Governance page in the Investor Relations section.

Item 9.01.  Financial Statement and Exhibits

  1. Exhibits

14.1 - Steiner Leisure Limited Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

STEINER LEISURE LIMITED

   
   

Date: March 5, 2009

/s/ Leonard I. Fluxman

 

Leonard I. Fluxman

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

EX-14 2 exhibit14_1.htm Exhibit 14

Exhibit 14.1

STEINER LEISURE LIMITED

CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS

The Board of Directors of Steiner Leisure Limited ("Steiner Leisure" and, together with its subsidiaries, the "Company") has adopted this code of ethics (this "Code") to:

  • promote honest and ethical conduct, including fair dealing and the ethical handling of conflicts of interest;
  • promote full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure;
  • promote compliance with applicable laws and governmental rules and regulations;
  • ensure the protection of the Company's legitimate business interests, including corporate opportunities, assets and confidential information; and
  • deter wrongdoing.

All directors, officers and employees of the Company are expected to be familiar with this Code and to adhere to those principles and procedures set forth in this Code that apply to them. Other applicable policies and procedures of the Company are set forth in the employee manual you received when you joined the Company and in other documents setting forth the Company's policies and procedures that have been provided to you.

For purposes of this Code, the "Code of Ethics Contact Person" will be the senior legal officer of Steiner Leisure.

  1. Honest and Candid Conduct

Each director, officer and employee owes a duty to the Company to act with integrity. Integrity requires, among other things, being honest and candid. Deceit and subordination of principle are inconsistent with integrity.

Each director, officer and employee must:

  • act with integrity, including being honest and candid while still maintaining the confidentiality of information where required or consistent with the Company's policies.
  • observe both the form and spirit of laws and governmental rules and regulations, accounting standards and Company policies;
  • adhere to a high standard of business ethics.

  1. Conflicts of Interest

A "conflict of interest" occurs when an individual's private interest interferes or appears to interfere with the interests of the Company. A conflict of interest can arise when a director, officer or employee takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her Company work objectively and effectively. For example, a conflict of interest would arise if a director, officer or employee, or a member or his or her family, receives improper personal benefits from a third party as a result of his or her position in the Company. Any material transaction or relationship that could reasonably be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest should be discussed with the Code of Ethics Contact Person.

Service to the Company should never be subordinated to personal gain and advantage. Conflicts of interest should, wherever possible, be avoided.

In particular, clear conflict of interest situations involving directors, executive officers and other employees who occupy supervisory positions or who have discretionary authority in dealing with any third party specified below may include the following:

  • any significant ownership interest in any supplier or customer;
  • any consulting or employment relationship with any customer, supplier or competitor;
  • any outside business activity that detracts from an individual's ability to devote appropriate time and attention to his or her responsibilities with the Company;
  • the receipt of non-nominal gifts or excessive entertainment from any company with which the Company has current or prospective business dealings;
  • being in the position of supervising, reviewing or having any influence on the job evaluation, pay or benefit of any immediate family member; and
  • selling anything to the Company or buying anything from the Company, except on the same terms and conditions as comparable directors, officers or employees are permitted to so purchase or sell.

Anything that would present a conflict for a director, officer or employee would also be likely to present a conflict if it is related to a member of his or her family.

Pertinent procedures and details relating to conflicts of interest involving the Company are set forth in the Steiner Leisure Conflicts of Interest and Misappropriation of Corporate Opportunities Policy.

  1. Disclosure

Each director, officer or employee involved in the Company's disclosure process, including the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the Vice President - Finance of Steiner Leisure and the senior financial and accounting officers of each subsidiary of the Company (the "Senior Financial Officers"), is required to be familiar with and comply with the Company's disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, to the extent relevant to his or her area of responsibility, so that the Company's public reports and documents filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") comply in all material respects with the applicable federal securities laws and SEC rules. In addition, each such person having direct or supervisory authority regarding these SEC filings or the Company's other public communications concerning its general business, results, financial condition and prospects should, to the extent appropri ate within his or her area of responsibility, consult with other Company officers and employees and take other appropriate steps regarding these disclosures with the goal of making full, fair, honest, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure.

Each director, officer or employee who is involved in the Company's disclosure process, including without limitation the Senior Financial Officers, must:

  • familiarize himself or herself with the disclosure requirements applicable to the Company as well as the business and financial operations of the Company;
  • not knowingly misrepresent, or cause others to misrepresent, facts about the Company to others, whether within or outside the Company, including to the Company's independent auditors, governmental regulators and self-regulatory organizations;
  • properly review and critically analyze proposed disclosure for accuracy and completeness (or, where appropriate, delegate this task to others); and
  • present for approval significant decisions with respect to financial disclosure to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors prior to making such financial disclosure.

  1. compliance

It is the Company's policy to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations. It is the personal responsibility of each employee, officer and director to adhere to the standards and restrictions imposed by those laws, rules and regulations as well as the Company's employee manuals and policy statements issued from time to time.

As described in more detail in the Company's Insider Trading Policy Statement, it is against Company policy and in many circumstances illegal for a director, officer or employee to profit, directly or indirectly, from undisclosed information relating to the Company or any other company. Any director, officer or employee may not purchase or sell any of the Company's securities while in possession of material nonpublic information relating to the Company. Also, any director, officer or employee may not purchase or sell securities of any other company while in possession of any material nonpublic information relating to that company.

Any director, officer or employee who is uncertain about the legal rules involving a purchase or sale of any Company securities or any securities in companies that he or she is familiar with by virtue of his or her work for the Company, should consult with Steiner Leisure's legal department before making any such purchase or sale.

Consistent with the Company's Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Policy and Accurate Books and Records Policy:

  • no director, officer or employee of the Company (nor any person acting on behalf of a director, officer or employee) may make, directly or indirectly, any payment, in cash or otherwise, to any government official or other person in order to influence an official act or decision or to induce an official to use his or her influence to affect or influence a government; and
  • all directors, officers and employees of the Company are required to (i) prepare accurate and verifiable business records (as defined in the policy), (ii) never make or conceal false or misleading entries in any record of the Company and (iii) maintain complete and accurate records for the time periods they are needed for the Company's business purposes and as required by law.

The success and reputation of the Company's business depends, in part, on proper procurement. It is the policy of the Company to purchase products and services based on price, quality, timeliness of delivery and general merit, regardless of the manufacturer or provider. The purpose of this Policy is to assure that the Company obtains products and services at a fair value, while conducting itself in accordance with the highest standards of business practices and all applicable legal requirements. Additional details with respect to this policy are set forth in the Steiner Leisure Procurement Policy.

  1. Reporting and Accountability

The Audit Committee is responsible for applying this Code to specific situations in which questions are presented to it and has the authority to interpret this Code in any particular situation. Any director, officer or employee who becomes aware of any existing or potential violation of this Code is required to notify the Code of Ethics Contact Person promptly. Failure to do so is itself a violation of this Code.

Any questions relating to how this Code should be interpreted or applied should be addressed to the Code of Ethics Contact Person. A director, officer or employee who is unsure of whether a situation violates this Code should discuss the situation with the Code of Ethics Contact Person to prevent possible misunderstandings and embarrassment at a later date.

Each director, officer or employee must:

  • notify the Code of Ethics Contact Person promptly of any existing or potential violation of this Code;
  • not retaliate against any other director, officer or employee for reports of potential violations which are made in good faith.

The Company will follow the following procedure in investigating and enforcing this Code, and in reporting on the Code:

  • Violations and potential violations will be reported by the Code of Ethics Contact Person, after appropriate investigation, to the Audit Committee in the case of a violation or potential violation by a director or executive officer of the Company or the senior officer of the subsidiary involved (the "Senior Officer") in the case of a violation by any other employee.
  • The Audit Committee or the Senior Officer, as the case may be, will take all appropriate action to investigate any violations reported to them.
  • If the Audit Committee or the Senior Officer, as the case may be, determines that a violation has occurred, they will inform the Board of Directors, in the case of a violation by a director or executive officer, or the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Legal Officer of Steiner Leisure, in the case of a violation by any other employee.

Upon being notified that a violation has occurred, the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer of Steiner Leisure, as the case may be, will take such disciplinary or preventive action as it deems appropriate, up to and including dismissal or, in the event of criminal or other serious violations of law, notification of appropriate governmental authorities.

From time to time, the Company may waive some provisions of this Code. Any waiver of the Code for executive officers or directors of the Company may be made only by the Board of Directors of Steiner Leisure and must be promptly disclosed as required by the rules of the SEC and the Nasdaq Stock Market. Any waiver for other employees may be made only by the Chief Executive Officer of Steiner Leisure.

  1. Corporate Opportunities
  2. Directors, officers and employees owe a duty to the Company to advance the Company's business interests when the opportunity to do so arises. Directors, officers and employees are prohibited from taking (or directing to a third party) a business opportunity that is discovered through the use of corporate property, information or position, unless the Company has already been offered the opportunity and turned it down, and only with the written consent of the Board of Directors of the Company. More generally, directors, officers and employees are prohibited from using corporate property, information or position for personal gain and from competing with the Company.

    Sometimes the line between personal and Company benefits is difficult to draw, and sometimes there are both personal and Company benefits in certain activities. Directors, officers and employees who intend to make use of Company property or services in a manner not solely for the benefit of the Company should consult beforehand with the Code of Ethics Contact Person.

    Pertinent procedures and details relating to corporate opportunities with which you may become involved are set forth in the Steiner Leisure Conflicts of Interest and Misappropriation of Corporate Opportunities Policy.

  3. Confidentiality
  4. In carrying out the Company's business, directors, officers and employees often learn confidential or proprietary information about the Company, its customers, clients, suppliers, or joint venture parties. Directors, officers and employees must maintain the confidentiality of all information so entrusted to them, except when disclosure is authorized or legally mandated. Confidential or proprietary information of the Company, and of other companies, includes any non-public information that would be harmful to the relevant company, or useful or helpful to competitors, if disclosed.

  5. Fair Dealing
  6. We have a history of succeeding through honest business competition. We do not seek competitive advantages through illegal or unethical business practices. Each director, officer and employee should endeavor to deal fairly with the Company's customers, clients, service providers, suppliers, competitors and employees. No director, officer or employee should take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts, or any unfair dealing practice.

  7. Protection and Proper Use of Company Assets

All directors, officers and employees should protect the Company's assets and ensure their efficient use consistent with Company policies.

  1. AMENDMENT

The Board of Directors of Steiner Leisure may amend this Code from time to time as it deems appropriate.

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