Communication on Progress

Findel Eductaion Communication on Progress

Participant
Published
  • 20-Aug-2012
Time period
  • August 2011  –  August 2012
Format
  • Stand alone document – Basic COP Template
Differentiation Level
  • This COP qualifies for the Global Compact Active level
Self-assessment
  • Includes a CEO statement of continued support for the UN Global Compact and its ten principles
  • Description of actions or relevant policies related to Human Rights
  • Description of actions or relevant policies related to Labour
  • Description of actions or relevant policies related to Environment
  • Description of actions or relevant policies related to Anti-Corruption
  • Includes a measurement of outcomes
 
  • Statement of continued support by the Chief Executive Officer

  • Statement of the company's chief executive (CEO or equivalent) expressing continued support for the Global Compact and renewing the company's ongoing commitment to the initiative and its principles.

  • 20/08/2012

    To our Shareholders/Stakeholders:

    I am pleased to confirm that Findel Eductaion reaffirms its support of the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact in the areas of Human Rights, Labour, Environment and Anti-Corruption.

    In this annual Communication on Progress, we describe our actions to continually improve the integration of the Global Compact and its principles into our business strategy, culture and daily operations. We also commit to share this information with our stakeholders using our primary channels of communication.

    Yours Sincerely

    Tony Hillier
    Managing Director

Human Rights
  • Assessment, policy and goals

  • Description of the relevance of human rights for the company (i.e. human rights risk-assessment). Description of policies, public commitments and company goals on Human Rights.

  • Findel Education strives to implement and champion throughout its employee and supplier network the importance of the Universal Declaration For Human Rights and Environmental Protection. The welfare of Employees and suppliers is paramount to our business ethos and trading agreements.

    All Employees are made aware of company policy on human rights during their onboarding training (induction) when they join the company. This information is also available on a redesigned website which will go live September 2012.

    All Far East suppliers must adhere to a code of conduct as outlined in the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) which includes areas of human rights issues.

  • Implementation

  • Description of concrete actions to implement Human Rights policies, address Human Rights risks and respond to Human Rights violations.

  • Findel Education have implemented many new initiatives that have engaged our employees such as: Customer Voice and Employee Voice surveys, business information presentations, question and answer sessions. Our Standards, Vision and Mission including our strategic Divisional goals are all communicated on a regular basis and throughout our business. Findel Education also continually update in-house policies on Human Rights.

    All our supplier base is issued with an Ethical Trading Questionnaire which is based on the principles of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI). The returned questionnaires are analysed before orders are placed for compliance to the code. Independent auditors (Sedex, SGS, Bureau Veritas etc) are used to carry out factory audits across our supplier base.

  • Measurement of outcomes

  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates performance.

  • Any Human rights non conformities identified by either the Ethical trading questionnaire or external independent audit is swiftly acted upon. This could be in relation to working with the supplier to achieve the required standard or terminating the contract with immediate effect. Factory audits continually ongoing and results discussed on periodical basis in senior management meetings.

    Findel Education is ISO 9001 compliant and has a continuous management and process review cycle in place.

Labour
  • Assessment, policy and goals

  • Description of the relevance of labour rights for the company (i.e. labour rights-related risks and opportunities). Description of written policies, public commitments and company goals on labour rights.

  • Findel Education support the UNGC principles on labour standards as well as ensuring that its employees and supplier base is compliant with all local laws on labour rights.

    Findel Educations Ethical Trading Questionnaire is part of of our trading agreement and must be adhered to. The Ethical trading questionnaire encompasses issues of. Collective bargaining, abolition of child labour, elimination of discrimination.

  • Implementation

  • Description of concrete actions taken by the company to implement labour policies, address labour risks and respond to labour violations.

  • Our Communications Team work in partnership with all areas of our business but particularly our Organisational Development and People Team.

    We encourage active employee engagement which helps us strengthen our business processes in line with the FPR (Full Potential Review) suite of projects and our 3 Year Plan A new interactive employee Intranet will be deployed during September 2012. This will enhance the employees experience with the Company and make their life easier. Our people have access to all of our employee communications and people resources.

  • Measurement of outcomes

  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates performance.

  • Measuring employee feedback is undertaken twice a year by way of an employee questionnaire (Employee Voice). Actions put in place to remedy areas of weakness. Improvements are continuous and feedback from employees is positive.

    We have defined and measurable Divisional goals and we have implemented a structured objective setting and development review process for all employees at all levels within the Division (our GAME Plans – Goals; Actions; Measures and Evaluation).

    Our supplier base is constantly audited and feedback discussed at periodic intervals by senior management.

Environment
  • Assessment, policy and goals

  • Description of the relevance of environmental protection for the company (i.e. environmental risks and opportunities). Description of policies, public commitments and company goals on environmental protection.

  • Findel Education hold accreditation for ISO 14001 at its Enfield distribution centre. It is envisaged this standard will be achieved by the entire Education group by the end of 2013.

    Our corporate social responsibility policy outlines our continuing quest to source products from sustainable sources.

  • Implementation

  • Description of concrete actions to implement environmental policies, address environmental risks and respond to environmental incidents.

  • We strive to source sustainable products and items that have a reduced impact on the environment.

    We have increased our eco friendly products and they span most of our catalogue sections from Art and Craft, Cleaning & Maintenance, Audio Visual ranges to Curricular lines. We use the following labels to highlight to our customers the eco products within our catalogues:

     Recycled paper products
     Fairtrade
     Environmentally friendly
     A rated (energy efficiency ratings) appliances
     Made in the UK – demonstrating limited distance travelled
     Longer Guarantees on products with some products up to 25 years

    Adherence to the EU Timber Directive. A Forrest Stewardship Council certificate is requested from all wood suppliers. Compliance to Packaging Waste and Waste Electrical Regulations is reported on a periodic basis to the Environment agency.

  • Measurement of outcomes

  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates environmental performance.

  • Findel Education continually monitor and review its environmental obligations. The EU timber regulations which come into force in March 2013 are currently being distributed to suppliers to inform them of their obligations and will be closely monitored for compliance. The company is externally audited several times a year to ensure that environmental policies are being adhered to and results are discussed at senior management level.

Anti-Corruption
  • Assessment, policy and goals

  • Description of the relevance of anti-corruption for the company (i.e. anti-corruption risk-assessment). Description of policies, public commitments and company goals on anti-corruption.

  • Findel Education supports the UNGC principles on anti-corruption and work strongly against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery. All employees are bound by the companies documented anti corruption policy.

  • Implementation

  • Description of concrete actions to implement anti-corruption policies, address anti-corruption risks and respond to incidents.

  • Employees during onboarding procedure are informed about the companies Whistle blowing policy for breach of conduct or CSR violation. The company also operate a code of conduct policy which must be adhered to at all times.

  • Measurement of outcomes

  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates anti-corruption performance.

  • The companies anti-corruption policy is designed to enable employees of the Company to raise concerns internally and at a high level and to disclose information which the individual believes shows malpractice or impropriety. The policy is intended to cover concerns which are in the public interest and may at least initially be investigated separately but might then lead to the invocation of other procedures e.g. disciplinary. These concerns could include

     Financial malpractice or impropriety or fraud
     Failure to comply with a legal obligation or Statutes
     Dangers to Health & Safety or the environment
     Criminal activity
     Improper conduct or unethical behavior
     Attempts to conceal any of these

    This policy is constantly being reviewed and is available to be audited as part of our ISO 9001 controlled document procedure.