Supplier Code of Conduct
1. Introduction
SOCRUE™ is committed to certain standards of ethical conduct and social/environmental responsibility. We expect our suppliers to aspire to these same standards in their operations and to have their own policies and processes in place to address the matters detailed below. Therefore, we have created a “Supplier Code of Conduct,” which sets out the standards expected of any supplier doing business with SOCRUE™.
“Supplier” means any organization or individual that either directly or indirectly provides a product or service or undertakes any activity for or on behalf of SOCRUE™.
“Supplier Representative” means any person who works for a supplier, whether under a contract of employment or any other contract where the person provides any work or services for the supplier and includes, without limitation, suppliers’ principals, officers, directors, employees, and independent contractors.
2. Systems and Network Access
Access to SOCRUE™ systems and data is restricted to only those systems and data that are approved by SOCRUE™ and necessary to perform the agreed-upon services. Any Supplier Representative who is authorized to access SOCRUE™ systems shall comply with SOCRUE™ Acceptable Use Policy, which will be provided to such Supplier Representative when applicable. Any attempt to access data not authorized to the Supplier is a violation of SOCRUE™ security policy. If SOCRUE™ becomes aware of a Supplier Representative attempting to access systems he or she is not authorized for, SOCRUE™ will take immediate action, which may include (a) removing Supplier Representative from SOCRUE™ premises; (b) terminating Supplier Representative’s access; (c) terminating Supplier’s services contract with SOCRUE™ Access codes and passwords may not be shared or communicated to anyone other than the individual to whom the access is assigned. Sharing of these credentials may be cause for termination of access of Supplier Representative(s) and Supplier’s services contract with SOCRUE™. The foregoing requirements shall not be limited to, in any way, any representations, warranties or covenants regarding information technology, data security, and confidentiality included in any agreement between the Supplier and SOCRUE™.
3. Use of SOCRUE™ Property
The Supplier is responsible for the proper use of SOCRUE™ property and must safeguard it against loss, damage, misuse or theft. SOCRUE™ property is provided to the Supplier for SOCRUE™ business purposes only. Personal use of SOCRUE™ equipment, such as phones and computers, should be kept to a minimum. All intranet, internet, and e-mail activities using SOCRUE™ systems are to be conducted for legitimate business purposes that are directly related to the services the Supplier is performing for SOCRUE™. The Supplier may not post or discuss business information concerning SOCRUE™ with the media or on the internet.
4. Data Privacy and Confidentiality
Suppliers must comply with applicable privacy and data protection laws and regulations in the respective countries of operation, as well as, secure SOCRUE™ confidential data and individual personal data while prohibiting it from unauthorized access or use.
5. Ethical Standards
SOCRUE™ seeks to identify and utilize Suppliers who conduct business with ethical standards consistent with our own. The Supplier should abide by the following ethical standards and guidelines:
• Obey all relevant laws
• Treat each other fairly with dignity and respect
• Prepare all records of financial transactions carefully and accurately
• Report financial conditions and results of operations truthfully and promptly
• Deal honestly and fairly with clients, customers, suppliers, and alliances
• Avoid conflicts of interest in both substance and form
• Avoid the improper giving and receiving of gifts
• Safeguard SOCRUE™ assets
• Protect SOCRUE™ reputation
• Separate personal political activities from SOCRUE™ business
• Report observed violations of legal and ethical standards
6. Health and Safety
SOCRUE™ expects its Suppliers to aspire to implement the standards of occupational health and safety at a strict level. Suppliers must comply with applicable occupational health/safety regulations and provide a safe/conducive work environment that promotes good health, in order to preserve the health of their employees by preventing accidents, injuries, and work-related illnesses.
SOCRUE™ maintains a drug and alcohol-free work environment. No Supplier or Supplier Representative is permitted to possess, consume, sell, or be under the influence of alcohol and illegal drugs (and legal drugs that are not used in a manner consistent with dosage requirements) while in any SOCRUE™ or Client location, as well as, during any engagements for SOCRUE™. Any Supplier found to be in violation of this policy may be removed from the premises of the Client or SOCRUE™ and not allowed re-entry. Violent or abusive behavior will not be tolerated at SOCRUE™. Any Supplier Representative engaging in such conduct may be removed from the premises of the Client or SOCRUE™ and not allowed re-entry.
7. Prohibitions against Discrimination and Harassment
SOCRUE™ does not tolerate unlawful discrimination or harassment in the workplace. No Supplier is to engage in any unlawful discriminatory or harassing conduct while in the facilities of the Client or SOCRUE™, nor at anyone in the workplace of an engagement. Discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, gender, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, or other protected characteristic/status is strictly prohibited. Sexual harassment is generally defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other visual, verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: (i) submission to such conduct is made, either explicitly or implicitly, as a term or a condition of employment; (ii) submission to or rejection of such conduct affects employment opportunities; or (iii) such conduct interferes with an individual's work or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment. Examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to: sexual gestures, leering, displaying sexually suggestive objects/pictures; derogatory comments, epithets, slurs, teasing, jokes of a sexual nature; graphic comments about an individual’s sex-life or body; suggestive or obscene letters, emails, notes, invitations; and any unwelcome physical contact.
SOCRUE™ may, in its sole and absolute discretion, remove from the premises of the Client or its own any Supplier who engages in offensive conduct.
The Supplier must promptly report any offending behavior, whether such behavior is directed to the Supplier or to the employees of SOCRUE™, by notifying any member of SOCRUE™ management.
8. Compliance with Labor Laws and Labor Standards
The Supplier shall comply with all laws applicable to its business. The Supplier should support the principles of the United Nations Global Compact, the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as, the International Labor Organization Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, in accordance with their respective national laws.
Child Labor…
Suppliers are prohibited from using workers under the legal age of employment in any country or local jurisdiction where the Supplier performs work for SOCRUE™ If the minimum age of employment is not defined, the minimum age of employment shall be 16 years of age. In cases where minors are authorized to work, we expect our Suppliers to observe all legal requirements, particularly those pertaining to hours of work, wages, minimum education, and working conditions.
The Supplier shall not employ or use any form of forced, bonded, or compulsory labor. The Supplier will take all reasonable steps to ensure that there is no form of forced, bonded, or compulsory labor, as well as, other forms of slavery or human trafficking employed or used within its business or in its supply chains.
Compensation and Working Hours…
The Supplier shall comply with the respective national laws and regulations regarding working hours, wages, and benefits.
Disciplinary Practices/Coercion…
SOCRUE™ firmly believes that everyone should be treated with dignity. Suppliers shall not inflict or threaten to inflict corporal punishment or any other forms of physical, sexual, psychological, or verbal abuse/harassment on any employees.
Freedom of Association…
Supplier Representatives shall be free to join organizations of their own choice. Suppliers shall respect and recognize the right of employees to join and organize associations of their own choosing and to bargain collectively. Employees shall not be subject to intimidation or harassment in the exercise of their right to join or to refrain from joining any organization.
9. Environment
The Supplier shall comply with all applicable environmental laws, regulations, and standards, as well as, implement an effective system to identify and eliminate potential hazards to the environment. Suppliers should, wherever possible, support a precautionary approach to environmental matters and undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility.
10. Community Involvement
SOCRUE™ seeks to work with Suppliers that partner with local governments and communities to improve the educational, cultural, economic, and social well being of the communities in which they live and serve.
11. Gifts and Conflicts of Interest
SOCRUE™ Suppliers may not accept gifts, gratuities or excessive entertainment (beyond nominal, conventional business courtesies, such as an occasional lunch or dinner) from any individual or organization with which SOCRUE™ has business dealings.
The Supplier must disclose all potential conflicts of interest, including those in which the Supplier may have been placed inadvertently, due to either business or personal relationships with customers, suppliers, business associates, competitors of SOCRUE™, or employees of SOCRUE™.
12. Business Integrity and Corruption
Corruption, bribery, extortion, and embezzlement in any form are strictly prohibited. Suppliers shall not violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the UK Bribery Act, any international anti-corruption conventions, and applicable anti-corruption laws and regulations of the countries in which they operate, and shall not engage in corruption, bribery, extortion, or embezzlement in any form. Suppliers shall not offer or accept bribes or other means to obtain an undue or improper advantage. Suppliers must uphold fair business standards in advertising, sales, and competition.
13. Insider Trading
Buying or selling securities while in possession of material non-public information that the Supplier acquires by virtue of their relationship with SOCRUE™ is prohibited, as is the communication of that information to others, whether expressly or by way of making a recommendation for the purchase or sale of such securities based upon that information.
14. Fraud and Investigations
The Supplier is expected to cooperate with SOCRUE™ investigators, law enforcement, and regulatory agencies in the event of any investigation of wrongdoing by the Supplier or others doing business with SOCRUE™. This cooperation includes reporting violations of the law and cooperating with law enforcement agencies in their prosecution efforts.
Should the Supplier receive any subpoenas, regulatory requests, media inquiries, or other third party requests concerning SOCRUE™, then the Supplier shall promptly forward such matter to SOCRUE™ to the extent permitted by law.
15. Representation of SOCRUE™
The Supplier may not represent itself as an employee of SOCRUE™ or enter into any agreement on SOCRUE™ behalf or in SOCRUE™ name.
16. Compliance
SOCRUE™ reserves the right to ask the Supplier to re-affirm compliance with this Code of Conduct periodically to investigate compliance with this Supplier Code of Conduct at any time and to immediately remove the Supplier from the premises of SOCRUE™ or the Client and/or terminate the related services contract with the Supplier in the event of noncompliance.
17. Communication
The Supplier should take appropriate steps to ensure that the principles of this Code are communicated to their employees and throughout their own supply chains. The Supplier should also take appropriate steps to ensure that the principles of this Code are adopted and applied by their employees, suppliers, agents, and contractors to the extent applicable.
18. Enforcement
If SOCRUE™determines that any Supplier has violated this Code, SOCRUE™ may either terminate its business relationship or require the Supplier to implement a corrective action plan. If corrective action is advised, but not taken, SOCRUE™ will suspend placement of future orders or engagements and shall terminate its business relationship with the Supplier.
19. Reporting Concerns
Actual, or suspected, material violations by a Supplier of this Supplier Code of Conduct should be reported to legal@perception.solutions on the first instance. Similarly, if you are a Supplier to SOCRUE™ and suspect that a SOCRUE™ employee, or anyone acting on behalf of the firm, has engaged in illegal or otherwise improper conduct, you should report the matter to legal@perception.solutions.
20. Changes to the Supplier Code of Conduct
This Supplier Code of Conduct may be revised or updated by SOCRUE™ from time to time. To the extent there is a conflict between this Supplier Code of Conduct and any applicable law or provision of any agreement between SOCRUE™ and the Supplier, the applicable law or agreement shall apply.