Can the template be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally effective for internal corporate documents when intent and consent are clear, consistent with the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and applicable state UETA provisions.

Do consumer disclosure rules apply?

Not typically. ESIGN consumer disclosure requirements under 15 U.S.C. §7001(c) apply to consumer-facing financial or benefit records; internal values templates usually do not trigger those obligations.

How long should approval records be retained?

Retain approval logs and signed copies for at least three years post-termination; longer retention may be necessary for records tied to tax or regulatory matters.

Who must sign to approve the template?

The designated owner or authorized approver per corporate governance—document the required signatory roles and match signatures to official job titles.

Is notarization required?

Not for most values templates. Notarization is only necessary if corporate policy or a specific legal process requires a notarized corporate resolution.

What if names or titles don’t match HR records?

Mismatched names or titles can create verification issues; ensure signer information matches HR records and use corrected entries to avoid challenges later.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Business Values Template

Business Values Template

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

Business Values Template and Services Agreement

This Business Values Template and Services Agreement (the Agreement) is entered into as of Effective Date: by and between Client Name: ("Client") and Service Provider Name: ("Provider"). Each of Client and Provider may be referred to herein as a Party and collectively as the Parties.

WHEREAS

WHEREAS, Client seeks to adopt, document and implement a formal set of business values to guide conduct, decision-making and culture across its organization; and

WHEREAS, Provider is engaged in consulting, facilitation and related services and has the capability to assist Client in defining, operationalizing and measuring business values; and

WHEREAS, the Parties desire to set forth the scope of services, payment terms, confidentiality obligations and other terms governing Provider's delivery of services and the establishment of Client's Business Values.

1. Scope of Work

Services and Deliverables

Provider shall perform the services described above in a professional and workmanlike manner consistent with industry standards. Any changes to scope shall be documented in a written amendment executed by both Parties.

2. Business Values

Core Values (select applicable and describe behaviors that evidence each value):

Select Core Values Honesty / Integrity Customer Focus Innovation / Continuous Improvement Respect / Inclusion Accountability / Ownership Other:

Behavioral Definitions and Examples Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

3. Payment Terms

Total Fee Payment Schedule Late Payment

Any undisputed amount not paid within days after the due date shall incur a late fee of per month on the outstanding balance, or the maximum allowed by law, whichever is lower. Client shall also pay reasonable collection costs and attorney fees incurred by Provider in collecting overdue amounts.

4. Term and Termination

Term Start Date: . Term End Date (if applicable): .

Either Party may terminate this Agreement for convenience upon providing written notice to the other Party at least days prior to the intended termination date. Either Party may terminate immediately for material breach by the other Party that is not cured within 15 days of written notice of such breach. Termination does not relieve either Party of obligations accrued prior to termination, including payment for services rendered.

5. Confidentiality

Each Party acknowledges that in connection with this Agreement it may receive Confidential Information of the other Party. "Confidential Information" means nonpublic business, technical, financial or other information disclosed in any form that is designated as confidential or that a reasonable person would understand to be confidential given the nature of the information and the circumstances of disclosure. Each Party shall: (a) use Confidential Information solely for the purposes of performing its obligations under this Agreement; (b) protect Confidential Information with the same degree of care it uses to protect its own confidential information but in no event less than a reasonable standard of care; and (c) not disclose Confidential Information to any third party except to employees, contractors or advisors who have a need to know and are bound by confidentiality obligations no less protective than those herein. Confidential Information does not include information that is or becomes publicly available without breach, was rightfully known prior to disclosure, or is independently developed without use of the other Party's Confidential Information. Upon termination or request, receiving Party shall return or destroy Confidential Information, except as required to be retained under applicable law or to the extent reasonably necessary for the receiving Party's internal recordkeeping.

6. Implementation, Training and Review

Implementation Responsibilities Review and Measurement Schedule

7. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of without regard to conflict of laws principles. The Parties shall first attempt in good faith to resolve disputes by negotiation. If unresolved, disputes shall be resolved by binding arbitration in the chosen jurisdiction unless the Parties mutually agree otherwise in writing.

8. Limitation of Liability; Indemnification

Except for liability arising from gross negligence, willful misconduct, breach of confidentiality or indemnification obligations, neither Party shall be liable to the other for incidental, consequential or punitive damages. Each Party shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the other Party from third party claims arising out of the indemnifying Party's breach of this Agreement or negligent acts in connection with the services.

9. Entire Agreement; Amendment

This Agreement, including any attachments or addenda executed by the Parties, constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings. No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both Parties.

10. Miscellaneous

If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. The waiving of any breach shall not constitute a waiver of any subsequent breach. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

Signatures

Client:

By:

Date:

Provider:

By:

Date:

What the Business Values Template Is and When to Use It

A Business Values Template is a structured document organizations use to define core values, expected behaviors, and decision-making principles. It typically includes named values, concise definitions, behavioral examples, measurement criteria, ownership, and a review schedule. The template supports consistent internal communications, hiring and onboarding materials, performance feedback, and governance of cultural initiatives across teams.

Why a Clear Values Template Matters

A formal template aligns teams around shared expectations, reduces ambiguity in hiring and evaluations, and helps leaders translate abstract principles into measurable behaviors for day-to-day decision making.

Who Typically Prepares and Uses This Template

The Business Values Template is most often created by leaders working with HR and shared with managers for operational use.

Executive leadership teams responsible for mission, strategy, and tone-setting across the organization.
Human resources and talent teams that integrate values into job descriptions, onboarding, and performance programs.
Line managers and team leads who apply values in coaching, evaluations, and day-to-day decision making.

Once adopted, values are referenced by hiring panels, performance reviewers, and internal communications teams to maintain consistency.

Essential Parts of a Professional Business Values Template

A complete template balances clarity and actionability: concise wording, examples, measurable indicators, assigned ownership, and a plan for communication and periodic review.

Value Title

A short, memorable label for the value that teams can reference in conversation and documentation.

Definition

A one- to two-sentence explanation that clarifies intent and scope so different departments interpret the value consistently.

Behavioral Examples

Concrete do/avoid examples that translate the value into observable actions during hiring, feedback, and performance conversations.

Measurement

Specific indicators or metrics used to evaluate adherence, such as survey items, performance criteria, or milestone-based checks.

Owner & Review

Named individual or team responsible for upkeep and a scheduled review cadence to keep the template current and relevant.

Communication Plan

Channels, timing, and audience segmentation for rolling out values, including templates for announcements and manager guides.

Required Document Fields and Metadata

Template Name: Unique title

Effective Date: MM/DD/YYYY

Author / Owner: Primary contact

Value Statements: Named entries

Approval Signatures: Approver names

Revision Number: Version code

Step-by-Step: Create and Finalize the Template

Follow a repeatable process to draft, validate, approve, and publish the template so changes are auditable and stakeholders are aligned.

01

Draft: Compile values, definitions, examples, and initial metrics in a collaborative document.
02

Review: Share with cross-functional stakeholders for feedback and alignment.
03

Approve: Obtain formal sign-off from designated owner or leadership group.
04

Publish: Distribute final template and manager guidance through internal channels.

Digital Configuration Checklist for Online Use

Configure the template in your document platform so access, versioning, and approvals are controlled and transparent.

Field \| Configuration	Setting \| Value
Template Access	Role-based permissions and restricted edit rights.
Versioning	Enable change history with tagged releases.
Notifications	Email alerts for reviewers and approvers.
Signing Workflow	Optional eSignature step for final approval.

How the Template Moves Through Your Organization

A clear routing path reduces delays and ensures that each stakeholder receives the document in the correct state for action.

Create Template: Owner prepares initial draft and populates required fields.
Assign Reviewers: Stakeholders are added and notified for feedback.
Collect Signatures: Final approvers sign electronically or on paper as required.
Distribute Final: Publish to intranet, employee handbook, or onboarding materials.

Technical Requirements for Digital Completion and Distribution

Ensure the chosen platform supports secure templates, role-based access, and audit trails before deployment.

Supported Formats: PDF and DOCX compatibility
Integrations: Connectors to HRIS and collaboration tools
Authentication: Email or stronger MFA options

Representative eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison

Comparison of common eSignature vendors and basic plan characteristics to consider when choosing a platform for template distribution and approvals.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial, no credit card required	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor
Bulk Send	Yes	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Yes	Varies by plan
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes (BAA available)	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Vague language that leaves values open to different interpretations across teams.
Failure to assign ownership, which results in outdated or ignored templates.
No measurement plan, making it impossible to track adoption or outcomes.
Skipping stakeholder review, which leads to low buy-in and inconsistent application.

Risks from Improper Governance or Misuse

Legal Exposure: Ambiguous promises can create contractual or employment disputes.

Reputational Harm: Public inconsistency between stated values and actions damages trust.

Compliance Gaps: Lack of controls may conflict with industry regulations.

Operational Drift: Unclear expectations cause inconsistent decision-making.

Audit Failures: Missing approval records complicate internal or external audits.

Data Exposure: Poor distribution controls risk unauthorized access to internal policies.

Frequently Asked Questions and Problem-Solving Tips

Answers to common questions about completing, approving, and maintaining a Business Values Template, including eSignature and retention concerns.

Need help? Contact support

Can the template be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally effective for internal corporate documents when intent and consent are clear, consistent with the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and applicable state UETA provisions.
Do consumer disclosure rules apply?
Not typically. ESIGN consumer disclosure requirements under 15 U.S.C. §7001(c) apply to consumer-facing financial or benefit records; internal values templates usually do not trigger those obligations.
How long should approval records be retained?
Retain approval logs and signed copies for at least three years post-termination; longer retention may be necessary for records tied to tax or regulatory matters.
Who must sign to approve the template?
The designated owner or authorized approver per corporate governance—document the required signatory roles and match signatures to official job titles.
Is notarization required?
Not for most values templates. Notarization is only necessary if corporate policy or a specific legal process requires a notarized corporate resolution.
What if names or titles don’t match HR records?
Mismatched names or titles can create verification issues; ensure signer information matches HR records and use corrected entries to avoid challenges later.

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