Communication on Progress

Communication on Progress

Participant
Published
  • 29-Aug-2017
Time period
  • September 2016  –  September 2017
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.

  • 2017.09.22

    To our stakeholders:

    I am pleased to confirm that Bertel O. Steen AS 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 commit us to share this information with our stakeholders using our primary channels of communication.

    Sincerely yours,

    Bjørn Maarud
    CEO

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.

  • Bertel O. Steen is among Norway's largest service- and trading companies, with approx. 2 300 employees. As such we are and shall be a safe and stable employer, and we are committed to act with professionalism and respect towards our stakeholders and our employees.

    Norway has strict regulations on labour rights and human rights. We run our business responsibly according to all regulations and with strict ethical principles.

  • Implementation

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

  • - Implemented 10 company policies covering all areas of our activities, including HR.
    - Clear statement in our annual report for our commitment to respect equality, human rights and no discrimination based on gender, orientation etc..
    - Established whistleblower channel where employees and other stakeholders can report unwanted incidents of all kinds, also anonymous and/or externally. This channel can also be used by external stakeholders (customers, suppliers and others).
    - Introduced company ethical standards/Code of conduct.
    - Implemented electronic education available and compulsory for all employees. This includes dilemma training linked to our Code of Conduct.
    - Information about our commitment to UN Global Compact and the different principles in the company web site.

  • Measurement of outcomes

  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates performance.

  • - Monitor the use and the results from the electronic education system.
    - Through the whistleblower channels we get reports of violations.
    - Appointed a "Compliance Officer" to whom breaks of human rights can be reported.

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.

  • - Written policies underscoring our adhesion to secure labour rights.
    - Our suppliers are demanded and expected to run their business in line with our principles and in line with all external and internal regulations and requirements, as well as our Code of Conduct. All suppliers must sign a "Letter of conformity", allowing us to investigate if they are in line with our demand.

  • Implementation

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

  • - Twice a year we run an electronic survey towards all employees. In these surveys the employees are requested to answer and describe their assessment of their work surrounding.
    - We commit ourselves to respect the labour interests and rights in our Code of Conduct, in our intranet, in our policies and in external communication.

  • Measurement of outcomes

  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates performance.

  • - Measured through the internal surveys twice a year.
    - Our degree of sick leave is far lower than the national level.
    - Appointed a "Compliance Officer" to whom breaks of labour rights can be reported and handled.

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.

  • - The main business for our company is import, sales and maintenance/service of automobiles. The main challenges for us are the workshops and their employees, where the use of chemicals and the handling of waste is quite critical.
    - The company has an environmental commitment to run our business responsibly, and implement measures to reduce our negative impact for the environment.

  • Implementation

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

  • - All our dealers and workshops (approx 40 all around the country) are officially certified either according to the standards of ISO 14001 or "Environmental Lighthouse". The latter is the most respected and most known in the Norwegian marketplace.
    - The vehicles we import and distribute are to a large extent environmental friendly, either all electric or plug-in hybrids.
    - Our policies describe that we shall act environmental friendly in our daily business and in our procurement.
    - Our suppliers are requested to adhere to our policy.

  • Measurement of outcomes

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

  • - Monitor regurarly the degree of waste reduction and recycling.
    - Reduce the use of chemicals, and use to the largest extent possible harmless chemicals.
    - Thorough education for employees.
    - If incidents occur this will be corrected as efficient as possible. Through the last years no incidents have been reported.

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.

  • - Risk of corruption is quite limited in Norway.
    - We have written policy for zero tolerance for corruption, both for our own staff and for all stakeholders.

  • Implementation

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

  • - Apponted a Compliance Officer to survey and to act if there are risks or signs of corruption.
    - Implemented training programs with corruption dilemma training.

  • Measurement of outcomes

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

  • - If corruption is suspected we conduct thorough internal and external investigations, if needed also through external expertise.
    - Periodic report to the board and top management.