2. Business ethics and human rights
Policy
To ensure compliance with the Vitec Code of Business Conduct. This Code covers the way in which we deal with employees, suppliers, customers, shareholders and our responsibility to society. All new employees are given a copy of the Code when they join the Group and it was distributed to all employees in early 2008. All employees are required to comply with it. Any violations of the Code are required to be reported to local management or the Group Company Secretary, as appropriate. Employees wishing to report breaches anonymously may do so to the Group Company Secretary, without fear of any adverse consequences.
Vitec's Code of Business Ethics and Supplier Ethical Standards Assessment are used to ensure that human rights are upheld in both our own operations and those of our suppliers. We support the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the ILO's core conventions on labour standards (addressing forced labour, freedom of association, discrimination and child labour). Our buying team uses the Supplier Ethical Standards Assessment when visiting supplier sites to assess compliance with Vitec's standards.
Actions
The Code has been revised and expanded during the year and has been re-issued to all employees. It is available on the Vitec website.
