CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The diversity of our operations has added complexity to the management of corporate responsibility and we are committed to tackling additional challenges as our range of stakeholders and relevant issues also change. Understanding these risks and opportunities going forward is vital so we can make the informed responses necessary to stay competitive and ensure our business is fit for the future.
This year, we will work to consolidate our sustainability strategy and to refine and embed its principles through our operational processes. Health and safety, operating with the highest ethical standards, and managing our environmental impacts remain key priorities.
Corporate responsibility performance is an integral part of our overall company reporting. We measure our performance with regards to responsible business practices, customers and suppliers, our people, health and safety, environment and our communities. Listening to our customers, suppliers and employees is extremely important.
The Board of Independent Port Handling (IPH) sets Group policy on corporate responsibility and the managing director is the Board member responsible for overseeing its implementation. We encourage all our suppliers to commit to the standards that we adhere or aspire to.
Business Ethics
We place paramount importance on high standards of service delivery and relationships with employees, customers, suppliers and the public.
IPH is committed to delivering services to all customers in compliance with quality expectations. This will be achieved through our Integrated Management System that meets the requirements of ISO9001:2015 and ensures our business processes are carefully monitored, measured and controlled to promote a continued improvement in our environmental performance.
Code of Ethics
Our Group code of ethics, embodied in our HR processes, provides a framework for employees to assist them in maintaining the company’s high standards. It provides guidance on issues such as conduct with customers and the public; conduct of employees at work and conduct with colleagues.
IPH encourages employees to use its whistleblowing procedures to report breaches of any of the company’s policies without fear of recrimination.
Anti-Corruption Policy
IPH does not tolerate corruption in any form, no matter where we operate. Our no tolerance approach applies to all our businesses, employees and suppliers.
Customers and Suppliers
We have worked over the past year to ensure our supply chain is robust and as financially secure as possible during these challenging times, ensuring that suppliers comply with the high ethical standards that we also aspire to. These are communicated through our Terms and Conditions or its related appendices, copies of which are accessible on the website of Southampton Cargo Handling.
They are also communicated to suppliers as a condition of fulfilling our procurement standards. These requirements extend to but are not restricted to the following:
- Child labour
- Wages and benefits
- Working hours
- Modern slavery
- Freedom of association
- Health and safety
- Harassment and non-discrimination
- Corruption, extortion and bri9bery
- Privacy and data protection
- Fair competition and anti-trust
- Conflicts of interest
- Whistleblowing and protection against retaliation
- GHG emissions, energy efficiency and renewable energy
- Water quality and consumption
- Air quality
- Sustainable resources management and waste reduction
- Responsible chemical management
We further pledge to support our suppliers through prompt payment and adherence to regulations such as GDPR.
Sustainable Procurement
We aim to meet our needs for goods and services in a way that not only achieves value for money but also provides benefits to the local community and the economy and minimises damage to the environment. Our business shall be carried out with due recognition to our stated Environmental Policy.
Passionate about People
People are at the heart of our organisation and we continue to focus on supporting our employees as the nature of our operations evolves. We endeavour to carry out regular staff surveys and we continue to provide our employees with opportunities to update and refresh their skills. Over the past 12 months, the majority of the SCH core workforce have carried out skills training to meet industry requirements. We also remain committed to providing apprenticeships across the business.
We recognise the need to operate as an inclusive organisation in an increasingly diverse world. Our recruitment policies aim to encourage equality and diversity.
We undertake to comply with all legislation regarding minimum wage rates and working hours and adhere to all UK legislation regarding elements such as child labour and anti-slavery, also ensuring that our supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking.
Our policies committing to the fair and equal treatment of all employees are embodied in our HR processes, which can be readily accessed.
Health and Safety
Health and safety excellence is a core value of the IPH group. We are committed to provide safe and healthy working conditions for staff and customers alike throughout the Group to prevent work related injury and ill health, so far is reasonably practicable.
This shall be proportionate to our purpose, size, context and specific nature of the occupational health and safety risks and opportunities.
Health and safety incidents are reported on the Mango Health and Safety reporting solution which provides modules for reporting incidents, facilitates investigation and communicates responses that help ensure incidents are not repeated.
All employees undergo health and safety training as part of their induction. Legal compliance remains our minimum standard and the setting and reporting of key performance indicators means we stay focused on delivering continued improvement. The review of performance is embedded into our Board reporting.
Environment
As scientific evidence of and political emphasis on environmental issues and climate change increases, so too does the focus of our stakeholders. We remain focused on supporting our port and other partners in a way that reduces our environmental impact. Our focus for the coming year is to progress initiatives that will enable us to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
Communities
We recognise our responsibility in playing an active role in economic development through membership of relevant port and business organisations. In 2022, we became members of the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, which seeks to engage the voice, expertise and experience of thousands of businesses across the county, influencing decision-making and shaping practical solutions.
We also seek to support charitable causes, encouraging employees to participate in fund raising for organisations such as the Alzheimer’s Society, the Wear it pink charity and Save the Children UK.
Contact Us
Contact us for more information on 02380429700 or send us an email outlining your needs.
schinfo@schltd.com
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