Date of last revision: November 2024
This policy describes Man Bites Dog’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) principles. We believe our success is deeply intertwined with the well-being of the communities we serve and the environment we all share. Our CSR policy is a reflection of our commitment to operate ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of our workforce, their families, the local community, and society at large.
Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to articulate our CSR strategy, which is built on four foundational pillars: Environmental, Social Responsibility, Ethical Conduct, and Human Rights. These pillars guide our actions and decisions, ensuring that we conduct our business in a manner that is socially responsible and aligned with our values.
Environmental
Man Bites Dog recognises that it has a responsibility to the environment beyond legal and regulatory requirements. We are committed to reducing our environmental impact and continually improving our environmental performance as an integral part of our business strategy and operating methods, with regular review points. We will encourage clients, suppliers, and other stakeholders to do the same and to adhere to our environmental policy. In line with our environmental policy, we are committed to the following:
- Sustainable Practices: Implementing eco-friendly practices across our operations to minimise our carbon footprint.
- Resource Efficiency: Promoting the efficient use of resources, including energy, water, and raw materials.
- Waste Reduction: Striving to reduce waste through recycling, reusing materials, and responsible disposal methods.
- Green Innovation: Investing in the development of sustainable products and services.
- Pollution Prevention: Taking steps to prevent pollution and minimise the environmental impact of our operations, including the use of hazardous substances, waste disposal, and emissions to air, water, and land.
- Resource Conservation: Taking measures to conserve natural resources, including energy, water, and raw materials, and minimize waste through recycling and other practices.
- Climate Change Mitigation: Taking steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change, including the reduction of energy consumption and the adoption of low-carbon technologies.
- Comply with applicable legal requirements and other requirements to which the company subscribes, and which relate to our environmental aspects.
- Include the consideration of environmental issues in all business strategies and initiatives. We endeavour to use suppliers who show commitment to ESG progression.
- Senior management is committed to ensuring that the protection of the environment is firmly embedded in both the company’s and all employee’s culture and will endeavour to influence its suppliers and clients in a similar strategic environmental manner.
- Aim to prevent pollution, reduce waste and minimise the consumption of resources.
- Educate, train and motivate employees to carry out tasks in an environmentally responsible manner and ensure that continuous professional development strategy remains core to our business goals.
Social Responsibility
Man Bites Dog recognise that we play an important role and have a responsibility to make a positive impact on society. We are committed to being a responsible corporate citizen and contributing to the development and well-being of the communities in which we operate. We expect our suppliers and clients to share this commitment and to respect the rights and interests of the local community. Underlying this, we have a commitment to support the local economy with our purchasing decisions. Our commitments include:
- Employee Welfare: Ensuring a safe, inclusive, and supportive work environment for all employees.
- Diversity, Equality, Inclusion and Belonging: We are dedicated to fostering a workplace culture that thrives on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEI&B). Creating an inclusive culture where different perspectives are encouraged and valued, and where all employees have a sense of belonging.
- Philanthropy: Supporting charitable initiatives and encouraging employee participation in volunteer activities.
- Education and Awareness: Promoting awareness of social issues and encouraging responsible citizenship.
- Community Engagement: Building strong relationships with local communities and contributing to their development.
- We aim to make the local community a better place and encourage our employees to get involved in local community events. We commit to choosing a supported charity each year and have annual budgets set aside for charity work / donations.
- We aim to ensure that as a company we create a good impact on our local community.
Ethical Conduct
Man Bites Dog is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of ethics and integrity and is committed to maintaining high standards from us, our suppliers and subcontractors. We value the business relationships we have with our suppliers and seek to build lasting relationships, treating them fairly and paying promptly. We want to work with suppliers that share our values and help us deliver our purpose to create a better outcome. The aim is to work together to achieve higher standards in our supply chain whilst achieving wider social, economic and environmental benefits. Our commitments include:
- Transparency: Conducting business in an open and transparent manner.
- Anti-Corruption: Implementing measures to prevent fraud, bribery, and corruption.
- Fair Trade: Engaging in fair trade practices and supporting ethical supply chains.
- Compliance: ISO Accredited for Environmental Management and Quality Management
- Governance: Upholding strong corporate governance practices.
- We expect our suppliers to also be aware of and consider their impact on the environment. Our suppliers are required to sign a supply agreement which makes reference to all of above.
- We have developed a supplier Code of Conduct to ensure that our suppliers are aware of these expectations and the minimum standards that we, as an organisation, expect of our suppliers.
- We will not tolerate corruption or bribery and are committed to always trading in an ethical and honest manner.
- We will monitor our suppliers and take reasonable and practical steps to ensure these standards are maintained.
- We will monitor our suppliers and take reasonable and practical steps to ensure these standards are maintained.
Human Rights
We respect and promote human rights in all aspects of our business. Our company recognises the importance of ensuring fair labour practices and promoting worker rights in our supply chain. As such, we expect all our suppliers to adhere to the ETI Base Code. Our commitments include:
- Labour Rights: Upholding the rights of workers, including fair wages, safe working conditions, and freedom of association.
- Privacy: Respecting the privacy of employees, clients, and partners.
- Employment is Freely Chosen: Workers are employed on a voluntary basis and have the right to leave their employment without penalty or threat of reprisal.
- Safe and Hygienic Working Conditions: Provide workers with a safe and healthy working environment, with access to water and refreshments, free from recognised hazards that may cause injury or illness.
- No Child Labour: We will not tolerate forced or child labour, human trafficking, inhumane working conditions or intimidation of any kind. Suppliers must also comply with all applicable laws and regulations relating to child labour.
- Living Wage is Paid: Man Bites Dog is a living wage employer. Suppliers must pay workers at least the living wage as determined by the Living Wage Foundation, or the equivalent in the relevant jurisdiction for non-UK suppliers.
- Working Hours are Not Excessive: Must comply with all applicable laws and regulations relating to working hours, including any relating to overtime in the supplier’s jurisdiction. Workers must not be required to work excessive hours, and they must be given no less than the legal minimum of rest breaks and holidays.
- No Unlawful Discrimination: Our workers are free to work without discrimination or fear. We do not discriminate in hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, termination, or retirement based on race, colour, gender, religion, age, disability, nationality, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristic.
- Due Diligence: Conducting human rights due diligence to identify and address potential impacts. Suppliers must provide employees with employment contracts that clearly specify the terms and conditions of their employment, including wages, working hours, and benefits. Non-employees (such as consultants) must also be given written contracts setting out the key terms.
- Employee Wellbeing: Staff are supported with both physical and mental wellbeing.
