The Code of Ethics
The Code of Ethics describes Itella Group's generally accepted practices, values and Group commitment to compliance with laws, standards and rules and regulations, including respect for the norms and standards of different cultures. The Code of Ethics promotes the consistency and quality of decision-making and operations from the perspective of both the business environment and our own staff.
The Code of Ethics contributes to ensuring operational safety and reliability while fostering operational and administrative transparency by providing consistent guidelines for operations and decision-making throughout the organisation. This also involves co-operation with Itella Group's interest groups.
This Code applies to every Itella Group employee. Furthermore, Itella Group requires its partners to comply with corresponding, ethically sustainable principles.
1. Compliance with laws and rules and regulations
We agree to comply with national and international laws, rules and regulations as well as generally accepted principles and practices throughout our operations. We respect the norms and standards of different cultures wherever we operate. In cases and situations requiring interpretation, we will seek expert advice.
2. Business principles
We adhere to generally accepted principles of ethics and integrity as well as openness in our business conduct. We follow our shared values in our operations and honour our commitments to our customers and other interest groups. We communicate on our operations to our customers and other interest groups in an open, unbiased and truthful way. We will maintain for our part a continuous, two-way interaction with the authorities and organisations.
3. Human rights
We respect and comply with the principles stated in the UN’s Declaration of Human Rights. As an employer, we implement the fundamental workers' rights defined by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
4. Non-discrimination and equality
We comply with the equality plan approved by the Group and all laws and rules and regulations on equality. We maintain a system aimed at promoting and ensuring non-discrimination and equality. We disapprove of any discrimination in work arrangements and employment terms on the basis of race, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, unionisation, political opinion or any similar factor. Our recruitment policy is based on applicants' vocational/professional qualifications and skills. We regard every employee as equal and follow pro-equality procedures in our conduct.
5. Work
We respect our employees' fundamental rights, such as freedom of association, the right to unionise and the right to collective bargaining. We aim to offer our employees an interesting and inspiring workplace with equal opportunities and characterised by a spirit of trust in, respect for and openness with others. In the context of changes, our primary goal is to offer a job within the company or promote placement outside the Group.
Our employees agree to follow instructions in their work and contribute to maintaining a well-performing and open working environment, mutual respect among employees and wellbeing at work.
6. Health and safety
We seek to guarantee safe and healthy working conditions for our employees and prevent accidents and health risks at work. We are active in minimising working environment risks. In order to promote employee health and working capacity, we maintain systems aimed at identifying and preventing any hazards or problem situations while responding to these quickly.
7. Conflicts of interest
We expect our employees to work for the company's benefit at all times by refraining from business contacts that may cause conflicts of interest. Our employees are required to avoid personal or business transactions that may conflict with their responsibilities towards the company.
8. Unethical business practices and bribery
We do not engage in unethical business practices, offer bribes or other illegal financial benefits or payments in order to win business contracts or maintain our business or obtain decisions or any other services from the authorities in our favour. Our employees do not give or accept bribes or services outside the normal standards of courtesy and hospitality. In unclear situations, our employees are required to consult the Group's management in advance about the practice approved by the Group. Likewise, they are also required to inform the Group's management if they have identified anything unusual in business that might cause a conflict of interest.
9. The environment
We promote environmentally friendly operations and aim to create environmentally sustainable development in all our operations while using and developing eco-friendly products and procedures.
10. Code of Ethics in practice
Applying to every Itella Group employee, this Code of Ethics will be adopted by all Group companies, based on each company's Board decision. Following the Board's decision, each Group company must ensure that its staff are familiar, and comply with, the Code of Ethics throughout their conduct.
The Group maintains a system enabling the reporting of activities which may be in breach of this Code of Ethics as well as responding to such reports.
