Code Of Ethics

Message from the founder

Our commitment to ethical behaviour and solid ethical foundations is one of the most essential components of the ethical gift box operation. We are committed to doing business the right way, based on a culture of ethics and compliance.

In the long term, we can successfully face the challenges of a competitive market by accepting the imperatives of moral responsibility, both as individuals and as a company. In performing their job duties, all employees act lawfully, ethically and in the best interests of the ethical gift box.

Thank you for upholding our values and helping us do things right. This means we provide well made, fairly priced and high quality products and services, and that ethics, integrity and the wellbeing of people and the environment stay front of mind. We source material only from suppliers with strong human rights and environmental standards, who meet compliance with all laws. We monitor our entire operation and supply chain for compliance with this Code.

Jeremy Stone
Founder

1. Introduction

This Code of Ethics and Business Conduct sets out our ethical commitment and guides proper business conduct for everyone connected with the ethical gift box. We are committed to doing business legally, ethically and transparently.

This document applies to all staff who work for the ethical gift box, including officers, directors, managers, team leaders, employees, temporary, agency, interim, sub-contractor or consultant staff, and to other organisations who do business with us.

We expect our staff to be impartial and honest in all affairs relating to their job. All staff bear a responsibility to act in good faith and do nothing to undermine the trust that employment depends on.

The success of our business rests on the trust we earn from our employees, customers and shareholders. We build credibility by holding to our commitment to fairness and reaching our goals solely through ethical conduct. All staff are expected to follow this Code in their professional and personal conduct, and to treat everyone with respect, honesty and fairness.

We welcome questions at any time and will not allow punishment or retaliation against anyone who reports misconduct in good faith.

Managers and leaders carry a higher responsibility to demonstrate the importance of this Code through their own actions, and to address every ethical question or concern promptly. Employees must cooperate in investigations of potential or alleged misconduct.

Non-compliance with this Code is treated as misconduct and can lead to disciplinary action, including termination of employment or contract in serious cases.

We work to apply our values and standards throughout the value chain of our suppliers, sub-contractors, service providers and business partners.

2. Ethical values

Our core values at the ethical gift box are authenticity, transparency, humbleness, honesty, collaboration, integrity, equality, respect for others, collective responsibility and striving for improvement.

3. Ethical decision-making

Ethical conduct comes from value driven decision-making. A few key questions can help identify situations that may be unethical, inappropriate or illegal. Ask yourself:

• Is what I am doing legal?
• Does it reflect our company values and ethics?
• Does it comply with the Code and our policies?
• Does it respect the rights of others?
• How would it look if it made the news headlines?
• Am I being loyal to my family, my company and myself?
• Is this the right thing to do?
• What would I tell my child to do?
• Have I been asked to misrepresent information or deviate from normal procedure?

4. Compliance with laws and regulations

Our commitment to integrity starts with complying with laws, rules and regulations. We understand and follow the legal requirements and commercial practices of lawful business.

We honour every valid and binding contractual agreement we enter into, and we do not abuse our rights.

Our staff must follow applicable laws and regulations, including this Code, at all times, and must ensure our operation stays compliant.

5. Sustainability: people, profit, planet

We are committed to meeting current requirements without compromising the needs of future generations. To do this, we balance economic, environmental and social factors in our operations and business decisions.

6. Human rights

We are committed to respecting the dignity and rights of every individual and community we interact with through our work. We will not cause or contribute to any violation of human rights. Our staff treat everybody with dignity, respect and care, and uphold human rights.

7. Fair labour practices and working conditions

We are committed to equality in our employment practices and to fair employment and pay in line with applicable law. We firmly oppose child labour, slave labour, and any form of forced, compulsory or bonded labour. We condemn illegal, unfair or unethical labour practices that exploit the workforce, undermine social security or serve as tax evasion, including undeclared or "grey" work and holding back wages.

Our staff act with integrity and treat colleagues and others they work with, with full respect.

8. Discrimination and harassment

We provide equal opportunity in employment and do not tolerate discrimination, harassment or abuse of any kind. No one faces direct or indirect discrimination based on gender, marital status, age, national, social or ethnic origin, colour, religion, political opinion, disability, sexual orientation, employee representation, property, birth or other status not relevant to their role. Discriminatory behaviour, harassment, bullying or victimisation of any kind is prohibited.

All staff follow the highest standards of conduct in verbal and written communication, based on mutual respect, and avoid any behaviour that could be seen as offensive, intimidating, humiliating, malicious or insulting.

9. Health, safety and environment

We provide clean, safe and healthy working conditions and work to maintain a healthy environment. We aim to reduce the impact of our operations on the natural environment, including our use of finite resources such as energy and water, and harmful emissions such as waste.

All staff follow every relevant health, safety and environmental protection law, regulation and rule at all times.

10. Fair competition and business conduct

Our relationships with business partners rest on trust, mutual benefit and compliance with competition law. We compete on the quality, functionality and pricing of our products and services. We make independent pricing and marketing decisions and do not improperly coordinate our activities with competitors. We do not offer or seek improper payments or gratuities, and we do not take part in unlawful boycotts of customers. We comply with all applicable trade controls, restrictions, sanctions and import-export embargoes, and we adopt the ten principles of fair trade into our business where appropriate.

We do not undermine the fairness of any tendering process. We avoid damaging the competition or reputation of any business partner, and any behaviour that harms a competitor's credibility.

We do not hold back payments to our partners maliciously, unlawfully or unduly, and we do not allow this practice, sometimes called a "debt chain," anywhere in our supply chain.

Our staff are responsible for ensuring fair business in their work and for following every competition, consumer protection and fair marketing rule. We treat customers and business partners fairly and equally, and present products and services in a way that is fair, accurate and discloses all relevant information.

11. Anti-corruption

We condemn and do not tolerate any form of corruption. It is prohibited to directly or indirectly offer, promise, give, ask for, solicit or accept any unfair advantage or benefit to obtain, retain or facilitate business. An unfair advantage or benefit can include cash, cash equivalents such as vouchers, gifts, credit, discounts, travel, personal advantages, accommodation or services. We do not permit facilitation, or "grease," payments to government officials or private businesses to secure or speed up routine actions. Corruption also covers misuse of a position, including creating a false impression of improperly influencing a decision maker.

Corruption to obtain, retain or gain an advantage in business is treated as gross misconduct, as is accepting or allowing someone else to accept a bribe. Our staff must account for all benefits received in the course of doing business, and must not give or receive bribes or act corruptly in any way.

12. Gifts and hospitality

We avoid any action that could create the perception that favourable treatment was sought, given or received in exchange for personal benefit.

Business courtesies include gifts, gratuities, meals, refreshments, entertainment or other advantages from people or companies we do or may do business with. We will not give or accept any benefit that constitutes, or could reasonably be seen as, an unfair business inducement, or that would violate law, regulation or policy, or cause embarrassment. Our staff never use personal funds or resources to do something that could not be done with company resources.

We may accept and offer occasional gifts and hospitality that are customary and reasonable for the market, provided they are not excessive, frequent, or seen as an attempt to influence business decisions. Only gifts of low, trivial value can be accepted. All other gifts are politely declined, or if received by post, returned to the sender. Where return is not possible, they are offered to charity or community causes. It is the responsibility of the person offering or receiving a gift to judge whether it is appropriate.

13. Security, protection and proper use of company assets

We are responsible for the security, protection and economic use of company resources. Our resources, including time, materials, equipment and information, are provided for legitimate business use. Occasional personal use is permitted where it is lawful and does not affect job performance or workplace morale.

All staff follow appropriate security measures and treat company property, material or intangible, with respect, without misusing or being careless with company assets.

14. Confidentiality, information security and intellectual property

We are committed to the confidentiality, integrity and accessibility of business information, and we put technical security measures in place that our staff are responsible for upholding. Proprietary information includes any non-public information that could harm the company, its customers or its business partners if disclosed to unauthorised parties. All staff treat this information as confidential. No one may trade in securities while holding non-public information, or pass such information to others who could use it in that way. Every rule protecting information security is followed at all times.

We respect the property rights of others. We do not acquire or seek to acquire trade secrets or other proprietary or confidential information by improper means, and we do not engage in unauthorised use, copying, distribution or alteration of software or other protected intellectual property.

15. Bookkeeping, true reporting and financial integrity

Our books, records, accounts and financial statements are maintained in appropriate detail and reflect our transactions truly and properly. We condemn money laundering in all forms, and we work only with partners engaged in legitimate business, using funds from legitimate sources.

We commit to fair taxation and to avoiding tax evasion, including practices such as failing to issue receipts or recording false expense invoices.

All staff follow proper accounting procedures, ensure business transactions are recorded and documented correctly, and make sure every disclosure in our financial reports is full, honest, accurate, timely and understandable. No one may improperly influence, manipulate or mislead an audit.

16. Anti-fraud

Fraud, meaning any act or intent to cheat, steal, deceive or lie, is both unethical and, in most cases, criminal. Fraud in any form is prohibited, including submitting false expense reports, forging or altering financial documents or certifications, misappropriating assets or misusing company property, or making any untrue entry on records or statements.

17. Conflicts of interest

Our decisions are based on objective, fair assessment, free from improper influence. A conflict of interest exists when an employee's personal interest, which can involve friends, family, or a customer, competitor, supplier or contractor, interferes or could interfere with the best interests of the ethical gift box. It is not always straightforward to identify a conflict of interest, so anyone with a question should seek advice from management.

A conflict of interest could arise from:

• Being employed, or in an economic relationship, with an actual or potential customer, competitor, supplier or contractor, whether that involves you or a close family member.
• Hiring or supervising family members or closely related people.
• Serving as a board member for another company or organisation.
• Owning or holding a substantial interest in a customer, competitor, supplier or contractor.
• Having a personal or financial interest, or potential personal gain, in any company transaction.

Where colleagues become involved in a personal relationship with each other, the more senior employee is responsible for telling their manager, so it can be confirmed that no conflict of interest exists or is likely to arise.

18. Privacy and personal data protection

We respect people's privacy and recognise that customers, employees and others need to feel confident that their personal data is handled appropriately and for a legitimate business purpose. We are committed to complying with all personal data protection laws. We collect and keep only the personal information we need, and give people clear information about how we use it. We put proper security measures in place to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of personal information.

Our staff follow the legal requirements, apply compliant practices and follow the related procedures to keep our handling and processing of personal data lawful.