This document sets out The Stickleback Fish Company’s Corporate & Social Responsibility policy. It covers all activities undertaken by us in the course of our business operations.
Along with all of our policies this will be reviewed annually by our senior board to ensure it is accurate and up to date. It will be form part of our internal policies and will be made available as required to interested parties externally.
Policy Statement
We are committed to meeting our social, economic and environmental responsibilities and recognise that doing so is integral to the long term success of the business.
We understand that our company’s existence is part of a bigger system and network of people, organisations, values and the natural world.
As a company and in our partnerships with others, we will comply with legislation, standards, statutory and other obligations. We will follow best practice where required, is reasonably possible and relevant to our activities and the in which we operate.
Purpose
This policy supports Stickleback as a socially and environmentally responsible company, with financial stability that protects our employees, provides value to our clients and actively engages with stakeholders.
Our wider aim through our operations is to have a positive impact on communities and the environment.
Responsibilities
We see everyone as sharing responsibility for the implementation of this policy. We want this to be our way of working not just a policy to adhere to.
All staff are given access to and training on our policies and procedures as part of their induction. They will also be fully aware of them on a daily basis through the work we do and our business practices. This is throughout every part of the company.
Line managers have responsibility to ensure our rules are followed and our Management Board lead and meet every month to review each part of the business.
Policy elements & Implementation
We strive to be a responsible business that meets the highest standards of ethics and professionalism. This responsibility falls into 2 categories: Compliance and Proactiveness
Compliance refers to our commitment to legality and willingness to observe community values.
Proactiveness is every initiative to promote human rights, support local communities and protect our natural environment.
Compliance
The Stickleback Fish Company will at all times:
- Respect the law
- Follow and honour its internal policies and procedures
- Ensure all of our business operations are legitimate
- Operate in an open and honest way with all partnerships and collaborations including our staff team
Business Ethics
We will at all times conduct business with integrity and respect. We will promote:
- Safety and fair dealing
- Respect towards the consumer
- Zero tolerance to any bribery or corruption practices
Protecting people
We provide and maintain a clean, healthy and safe working environment for our people adhering to all required regulations and best practice. This extends to all of those who come into contact with us in the course of our business operations.
We operate in accordance with our policies to ensure all employees and partners are treated fairly and with respect. This includes promoting a working environment that is free from discrimination, bullying and harassment. We offer remuneration packages with equal pay and opportunities to all that accurately reflect qualifications and experience. We provide training opportunities, apprenticeships and work placements following these rules.
We pay all of our permanent staff above the legal minimum wage and are members of the Living Wage Foundation making our commitment to their practices. (www.livingwage.org.uk)
We are dedicated to protecting human rights. We are committed to the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) base code and require our supply chain to support this also.
Our supply chain is crucial to our success and we have made contact with all of our suppliers to engage them to work with us to ensure modern slavery is not in existence. This is not just a one off project and we will continue to monitor our business relationships.
We encourage all to communicate with us in the case of any concerns as well as reviewing their own practices.
Proactiveness
Preserving the environment
Alongside our legal obligations, our company will proactively work to protect the environment. Our current practices include:
- Recycling – e.g. new equipment to recycle packaging and drastically reduce our landfill.
- Conserving energy – g. new lighting installation
- Using environmentally-friendly technologies
- Ensuring our products are from sustainable sources
Local communities
We acknowledge the value of local communities and aim to build positive relationships wherever possible. We seek to make a positive contribution through the services we provide and encourage participation, interaction and engagement.
We recognise the environmental and social benefits of using local suppliers to support our business.
We advertise locally to recruit new team members from the surrounding areas. This provides employment for local people and reduces our carbon footprint through others and their journey to work.
We provide work experience placements for young people as required.
We take part in charitable initiatives on a regular basis; this builds a great sense of community internally as well as providing essential funds to alleviate need in others. As a company we fully support other causes that our staff members are involved with, making donations when requested. This ranges from local schools, major charities and scouting.
The Stickleback Fish Company constantly monitors its activities and commitments with regards to Corporate Social Responsibility. We endeavour to continuously improve the way we operate.