Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Policy

Transcription

1 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Policy

2 Table of Contents I. Preface 2 II. Set-Up of This Policy 2 1. Motives CSR 3 2. People 2.1. Good Employership Social Responsibility Fair Trade 3 3. Planet 3.1. Sustainable Mobility Reducing CO2 Emission 4 4. Profit 4.1. Partnerships Investing in sustainable innovative solutions 5

3 I. Preface When it comes to responsible entrepreneurship, we have high ambitions. For us, growth is more than investing in greater revenue. Growth means working in an organisation which developed in a sustainable manner and finds a balance between economic, social and ecologic capital. The Brundtland Commission s report, which is sponsored by the United Nations, describes sustainable development as follows: Sustainable development is development that meets the need of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. 1 The Social and Economic Council of the Netherlands (SER) describes Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as consciously targeting entrepreneurial activities at creating long-term value on three levels: People, Planet and Profit. And adding to this, a willingness to start a dialogue with society. 2 It is about showing respect for the future, through today s actions. We did not inherit the earth from our ancestors, but borrow it from our children. A perfect balance between the elements People Planet and Profit thus offers a solid base for the future. II. Set-Up of This Policy Chapter 1 focuses on our motives to concentrate on CSR. The following chapters discus the three themes People, Planet and Profit. Chapter 2 describes how we manage the theme People ; those inside as well as outside of our organisation, such as employees, suppliers and society in general. Chapter 3 discusses the theme Planet ; our business activities are in keeping with ecologic conditions. The final chapter discusses the theme Profit ; our focus on social commitment. 1 from the World Commission on Environment and Development s (the Brundtland Commission) report Our Common Future (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1987) 2 ( )

4 1. Motives CSR Validata Group is Dutch market leader in screening and believes playing an exemplary role is important. Validata Group presents its services via three brands; CV-OK, Vrijwilliger-OK and Wonen- OK. We focus on CSR because we consider it important. From day one, we believed in sustainable relations and corporate social responsibility. Validata Group sees it as her duty to take social responsibility for the consequences of her actions. 2. People In ISO 26000, the Dutch guideline for CSR, the theme People consists of elements which can be summed up as good employership, social responsibility, human rights and fair trade. This chapter discusses the elements that are relevant to Validata Group. 2.1 Good Employership Validata Group greatly values a pleasant working atmosphere, with room for personal input, responsibility and development of the employees. They can do trainings for example, or follow courses. Another crucial element in the organisation is providing space to combine work and caring responsibilities. 2.2 Social Responsibility Through our Validata Foundation we try to improve the position of the disadvantaged in the labour market. We strive to support several projects that focus on this subject. Validata Foundation acts upon Article 23.1 in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment. The foundation takes care of the implementation of social impact, as we support projects that directly influence the lives of the disadvantaged in the labour market in a positive way. Our brand CV-OK generates income for the foundation, because the brand also focuses on the labour market. 2.3 Fair Trade Validata Group is a client-oriented organisation, driven by the importance of transparency and integrity. As market leader in screening people and organisations, we help global organisations take more conscious decisions when they enter new business relations or continue their existing relations. Validata Group s services contribute to a more functional and safe environment, which reduces the risk of material and immaterial damage. Our clients know that doing business with Validata Group guarantees meeting relevant law and legislation and compliance requirements. 3. Planet According to ISO 26000, the theme Planet consists of sustainable mobility, preventing pollution, reducing CO2 emission and using sustainable resources. This chapter discusses the elements that are relevant to Validata Group.

5 3.1 Durable Mobility As an organisation, we prefer hiring people who commute by bicycle or public transport to stimulate sustainable mobility. For some of our employees we have a GreenWheels subscription, therefore we share a car, only to be used when necessary. 3.2 Reducing CO2 Emission Validata Group reduces the clients use of paper, as our process is completely digitised. It also means that we hardly use paper ourselves, because we work and handle things like invoicing digitally. Our energy supplier is Vandebron. They offer 100% green energy generated from wind, bio, solar and water power. To this day, choosing green gas from a national supplier is impossible. Vandebron offers gas from Gasterra, which has a Gold Standard CO2 compensation, the strictest certificate in terms of climate compensation. Next to reducing CO2, their projects contribute to local society. Our lunch is provided by a lady who mainly sources local products which support animal and environmental welfare. 4. Profit The theme Profit includes the organisation s involvement in the development of society, according to ISO Collaboration, partnerships and investing in sustainable innovative solutions are common elements in the profit-area. 4.1 Partnerships From the brand CV-OK, part of the profit goes to the Validata Foundation. Because of this, the foundation can support projects which focus on improving the position of the disadvantaged in the labour market. These projects are executed by organisations with which we have set up a partnership. 4.2 Investing in sustainable innovative solutions We began our brand Vrijwilliger-OK to contribute to a safer climate (sports) clubs. We began screening volunteers working at sports clubs. Other organisations working with volunteers also expressed their interest in screening, to create a safe environment for children or those in need. We execute these screenings without a profit motive, so screening stays accessible to organisations who are dependent on volunteers. Finally, Moyee supplies our coffee beans. These are locally roasted and therefore part of FairChain, a production-consumption relation between farmer and consumer. It enables a higher added value to remain in the coffee bean producing country. This simple shift in the coffee chain improves the life of millions of people.