Code of Ethics
Introduction
As a leader in our field and a FTSE 250 company we recognise
that we have to set the highest standards of ethical business
practice.
All our employees share a responsibility to uphold these
standards and to conduct our business in a professional, safe,
ethical and responsible manner.
Our Code of Ethics sets out clear standards of behaviour that we
expect our employees to demonstrate in dealing with colleagues and
those external to the Company such as customers, suppliers,
shareholders and other stakeholders.
Employees
As a Company operating in the health sector our employees are
key to our continued success. We respect and value the
individuality and diversity that every employee brings to the
business and seek to create a positive, open working environment
wherever we operate.
- We are committed on basing relations with employees on respect
for the dignity of the individual and fair treatment for all.
- We aim to recruit and promote employees on the basis of
suitability for the job, without discrimination.
- We aim to foster effective communication to enable all our
employees to perform their work effectively.
- We place the highest priority on the health and safety of our
employees and the safety of the environment in which they
work.
- We do not tolerate any form of discrimination or sexual,
physical, mental or other harassment of any kind towards our
employees, whether from our own staff or others.
- We operate fair and just remuneration policies.
- We require any employee with a potential conflict of interest
to disclose it to their line manager.
- We operate in an environment of trust and as such we do not
tolerate any fraudulent or dishonest behaviour by our employees
either within the Group or in dealing with other stakeholders.
Customers
We are committed to delivery of a high quality service to our
clients and customers, our reputation and the continued
relationships with clients depend on it.
- The quality and safety of the services we provide, and that of
our products and processes is paramount and must never be
compromised.
- We aim to provide a high level of client and customer services
at all times.
- All customer and client information is treated as
confidential.
- We never deliberately give inadequate or misleading
descriptions of our products and services.
- No employee may offer or receive or influence others to offer
or receive any money or material gift that could be construed as a
bribe.
Investors
The Company’s success is built upon the trust and confidence of
those who invest in us, and we are committed to protecting their
long term investment.
- We are committed to a high standard of corporate governance and
accountability.
- Our accounting statements will be true, timely, complete and
material and will be made available in an easily understandable
form.
Suppliers and Sub-contractors
We seek to establish mutually beneficial relationships with all
our suppliers and encourage them to match our high standards in
respect of working conditions, trading practices, health and safety
and environmental protection.
- We treat our suppliers and sub-contractors honestly and
fairly.
- No employee may offer or receive, or influence others to offer
or receive, any money or material gift that could be construed as a
bribe or influence.
- We endeavour to ensure that we are not exploited directly or
indirectly by requests to make facilitation payments.
- All information concerning the Company and its suppliers is to
be treated as confidential.
- We do not work with companies that infringe the law or endanger
our reputation.
Governments and the wider community
Our success is dependent on compliance with legal constraints
together with sensitivity to local customs and conventions
governing business relationships.
- We endeavour to ensure that we are not exploited for the
purposes of money laundering, drug trafficking or tax evasion.
- We respect the law, traditions and cultures of the countries
where we operate. When there is a conflict between local custom and
the principle and values set out in this Code, employees acting on
our behalf must be guided by the Code.
- We are committed to doing our business in a way that is as
environmentally friendly as possible.
Competitors
We are committed to doing business fairly. In all our business
dealings we will compete vigorously, but we will also comply with
all the laws and regulations protecting the integrity of the market
place.
- We will not make false statements about competitors or their
services.
- We will not steal or misuse competitors’ trade secrets.
- We will not pay bribes to help the company or hurt a
competitor.
Escalation process
- If you become aware of any incident or practice or breach of
this code you should raise it in the first instance with your Line
Manager.
- If for any reason you do not feel you can raise it with your
Line Manager, then the matter should be raised with your Line
Manager’s Manager or your HR Business Partner.
- The Line Manager / HR Business Partner, as appropriate, will
escalate the matter up to the Group Company Secretary as
required.
- The Group Company Secretary’s decision on the interpretation of
this code is final.