Dash's social + environmental policy 🌿

We are committed to achieving the highest standards of quality, honesty, openness and accountability in our everyday activities. We also believe that we have a moral obligation to take account of the impact of our activities on the local, national and global economy; the environment and the community in which we operate. We aim to reduce any adverse effects our activities may have to a minimum and to make a positive contribution where reasonably possible.

This policy is non-contractual but sets out the business ethics, corporate values and standards of behaviour expected of all our managers and team.

Our Directors are ultimately responsible for acting at all times with integrity and honesty and within the law, and actively leading and directing all business activities in relation to any impact we may have on the environment, the local, national and global economy and the community in which we operate.

Our Team Leaders act at all times with integrity and honesty and within the law promoting our values and ethical principles amongst the workforce and ensure that the views and opinions of employees are communicated upwards.

All employees support and promote our values and ethical principles and are encouraged to report any concerns regarding the actions of any employee, manager or director by using our whistleblowing policy.

Our team

As an employer, we will act fairly and responsibly in all matters relating to our employees and workers, create a supportive, honest and open environment for employees to work in treat all individuals with dignity and respect. We seek to eliminate prejudice, discrimination and victimisation, to provide a safe and healthy environment in which to work, where possible provide opportunities for personal growth and professional development, and support all employees to enable them to be fulfilled in their working lives.

Our business partners and customers

We at Dash will compete robustly but fairly in our market, provide value for money and high quality service for our customers, make prompt payment to our suppliers, and will not offer or accept inducements to further our business.

We will not work with any organisations that:

1. Manufacture or sell weapons or other products whose primary function is to directly kill or cause serious physical harm to people.

This does not include organisations that manufacture components or supporting technologies.

Examples: gun, ammunition and missile manufacturers.

2. Knowingly cause physical harm to civilians

Unless their target customers and end users are exclusively consenting adults and they do not have a history of misleading marketing.

Examples: Tobacco industry; some armies.

Exceptions: Food & beverage industry; police forces of working democracies as defined by Project Democracy Matrix.

3. Produce or promote pornographic content

4. Are a major contributor to, or denier of, climate change

Examples: List of largest coal mining companies, list of largest oil and gas companies

Our impact on the environment

We take environmental issues and sustainability seriously and consider both issues as much as possible in our everyday business decisions.

We ensure we comply with all European law applicable to environmental legislation with Onsite Office Manager being responsible for overseeing environmental issues and ensuring we remain compliant with changing legislation.

What we're currently doing:

• Our HVAC system is recognised as a more environmentally friendly system by the Government’s programme to manage climate change as our equipment meets published energy-saving criteria.
• When moving into the West office we ensured that the western wall (without the windows) was fully insulated to ensure reduced heat waste. This added a substantial amount of work to our fit-out but we considered it important and therefore worthwhile.
• We dispose of any waste produced in an environmentally responsible manner, and recycle waste wherever possible (we currently recycle food waste, bottles, paper, plastics, cans and cardboard);
• We recycle all old electrical equipment and furniture no longer required by donating to local charities;
• We purchase products derived from natural resources and sustainable sources wherever possible;
• We take relevant environmental considerations into account when making decisions regarding working practices and office purchasing;
• We are an almost paperless office and discourage the keeping of hard copies where they are not needed. Whenever printing is done, recycled paper is used and all documents are printed on double-sided paper. Any unwanted paper is reused as scrap if possible;
• We always aim to buy products containing/produced with recycled materials in all aspects of the office and wherever possible, biodegradable and phosphate-free detergents will be used in sinks, toilets etc;
• Long-life low-energy light bulbs, rechargeable batteries and other energy saving devices are used in all areas where possible;
• All employees are requested to turn off the lights when leaving the office;
• Office-based employees are encouraged to use the HVAC system only when necessary; often opening a few windows is enough to get a comfortable temperature & air flow.
• All staff are actively reminded to recycle waste materials and to economise on electricity

Implementation, monitoring and review of our environment policy

The Onsite Office Manager maintains overall responsibility for implementing and monitoring this policy, which will be reviewed on a regular basis following its implementation (at least annually) and additionally whenever there are relevant changes in legislation or to our working practices.

Recruitment

Our recruitment process will be fair, equitable and non-discriminatory. Appointments will be made solely on ability to perform the duties required.

Award of contracts

Awards of contracts will be made only on the basis of their value for money, quality, ability to deliver the product/service required and taking account of the business ethics and corporate values of the business tendering for the contract.

All contracts must be arranged through our standard procurement process and authorised in writing by a Director.

Our anti-bribery policy

The UK Bribery Act 2010 came into force on 1st July 2011. It introduces four main offences which may be committed in the UK or overseas:

1. Offering, promising or giving a bribe
2. Receiving a bribe
3. Bribing a foreign public official
4. Failure by a commercial organisation to prevent a bribe being paid for or on its behalf.

Bribery is not confined to the giving or receipt of money: it covers more discreet forms, such as offering a commercial advantage, or offering and receiving lavish gifts.

Hospitality or gifts must be reasonable, proportionate and made in good faith, with the overall aim of improving the image of the organisation.

Facilitation payments (ie payments to induce officials to perform routine functions they are otherwise obliged to perform) are not permitted.

It is an offence under the Bribery Act 2010 to offer, promise or give a bribe or to receive a bribe. (The latter includes requesting, agreeing to receive or accepting a bribe.)

It is a strict rule therefore that nothing that could be viewed as an inducement, eg personal gifts or any hospitality or entertainment of any kind, may be accepted from a supplier, client/customer or prospective supplier or client/customer except with the prior agreement of a Director, and the details of any offer of such a gift/hospitality must be declared immediately in the record kept by the People Manager.

At times of special occasions such as Christmas, small gifts of nominal value may be accepted by prior agreement with a Director. Gifts such as wine or consumables are normally pooled and then distributed amongst all of our staff.

Steps to prevent bribery and corruption

Dash for Brands is committed to ensuring that the company and its employees adhere to the Bribery Act.

In terms of risk assessment, the company has reviewed the activities that our business currently undertakes. Decisions that could be impacted by the Act are discussed and agreed with a Director. Our agents, distributors or other third parties will be informed of compliance procedures as appropriate. Risk will be reviewed from time to time. Any steps taken to avoid incidents of bribery will be proportionate to the risk (which we currently consider to be low).

The Directors are committed to carrying out business honestly and openly and have a zero tolerance towards bribery.

Our policies clearly state that it is an offence to take a bribe. We expect our employees to conduct business in an open and ethical manner with suppliers and clients alike.

Expenses: corporate hospitality should be reasonable and proportionate. If in any doubt, employees are encouraged to check decisions in advance with a Director.

The company prohibits facilitation payments.

Whistleblowing

Any employee who suspects bribery must report this and will not suffer any detriment as a result, even if the suspicions turn out to be unfounded.

Commission payments and bonuses

Our sales commission structures are clear and transparent, and large bonuses or commissions for closing specific deals do not encourage staff to take a bribe.

Training

Training will be provided to staff as appropriate ethical business practice.

Disciplinary action

If the rules are breached, appropriate investigations and prompt disciplinary actions will be taken.

We review our financial controls to ensure that these are tight and robust, especially regarding purchasing decisions and discounts to clients/customers, and that they minimise the scope for corrupt acts to be committed.

Fraud

Any fraudulent activities will be dealt with in accordance with our disciplinary procedure.

Documentation

Our accounting and other records should be properly maintained and accurately reflect all transactions undertaken.

Review

This policy will be reviewed regularly to improve, amend or adapt current practices to promote equality of opportunity within our business.