Corporate Social Responsibility
Scope of policy
Establish a uniform policy with regards to the Corporate Social Responsibility of the company.
Mission
Through committed service and sustainable protein solutions, we are dedicated to building a better business for our customers.
Vision
Driven to fulfill customer needs, we help to improve food products across the world.
Values and corporate culture
Essentia has a set of values that reflects our attitude and behavior in our everyday life.
We build our business on close and long-term relationships with customers and suppliers. Respect for the individual plays an important role in our basic values and acting in a proper and ethical manner is a natural part of our business. Our companies are committed to operating in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. This means that our business partners and employees can rely on us to comply with the following:
1. Human rights
We support and respect protection of internationally proclaimed human rights.
2. Equal opportunities
We are against discrimination based on ethnic or national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age or political affiliation.
3. Freedom of association
We uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining.
4. Forced labor
We are against forced labor, and our employees are employed with us of their own free will.
5. Child labor
We will not tolerate the use of child labor in any of our operations or facilities, and we maintain documentation in our personnel files showing the date of birth of each employee.
Should child labor be discovered within our supply network, Essentia commits to continuing its business relationship with the supplier, whilst providing the necessary support to help them develop responsible solutions that are in the best interest of the child.
For purposes of this policy, a “child” is anyone who is less than 15 years of age.
6. Remuneration and working hours
We comply with applicable laws and industry standards on remuneration and working hours.
7. Working environment
We aim to have a physically and mentally strong working environment and to build cooperation based on mutual respect with our partners and stakeholders. We comply with applicable laws pertaining to health and safety in the workplace.
8. Employee retention and development
We recognize that the involvement of our employees contributes to the future success of our business.
We are continuously developing employee competences to comply with job requirements.
In case of long-term illness, we engage in a close dialogue with the employee in order to retain her/him in the job. We aim to support employees in case of personal crises.
9. Environmental responsibility
We conduct our daily business in an environmentally responsible manner and show optimum consideration for the environment when planning new activities.
10. Social commitment
We recognize the importance of constructive collaboration in society.
Our code of conduct is based on respect and responsibility.
11. Private information
We ensure that gathering of private information is solely for the purpose of business use and is stored and handled according to local legislation.
12. Anti-corruption
We do not accept bribery, kickbacks or facilitation payments in any form in connection with our business transactions or activities. In addition, we do not participate in money laundering or financing of terrorism.
13. Anti-trust
We do not accept agreements that directly or indirectly restrict competition and we comply with any local and international anti-trust laws.
14. Compliance
Compliance with this policy as well as with local and international laws is mandatory. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action and could ultimately lead to termination of employment or business relationship with Essentia.
15. Whistleblowing
Essentia allows all employees, business partners or any other stakeholders to report observations of illegal or unethical misconduct or serious or sensitive concerns that could have an adverse impact on people, the environment or the business performance of the company.
Examples of misconduct:
- Financial crimes, fraud
- Bribery, corruption, violation of competition laws
- Environmental pollution, product safety, serious quality matters
- Violence, sexual harassment, use of child labor
Concerns or observations reported must be delivered in good faith, based on personal experiences. Any person reporting an issue can be sure that there will be no discrimination or retaliation against him or her, as all reports will be handled confidentially.
Other than in exceptionally serious cases such as the examples described above, concerns relating to normal employment terms or workplace matters cannot be handled through the whistleblowing reporting system. Such matters should be resolved locally. Persons who knowingly make false reports or who otherwise abuse the system will face disciplinary action.
How to report:
All reports will remain confidential, except reports from countries where anonymous reporting is prohibited by law.
For any serious or sensitive concern of business or behavioral misconduct within Essentia that cannot be resolved via local management, please report either by clicking this secure link or call directly to the Essentia Group HR Director at +45 74 35 11 38.
NOTE!
All our businesses operate in accordance with the laws and regulations wherever we do business. We maintain accurate books and records demonstrating compliance with such laws and regulations.
We expect our suppliers and contractors with whom we do business to uphold the same standards as described in the paragraphs 1-15.