Business and Ethics CodeSocial awareness and a basic ethical attitude shall determine all our actions. We shall conduct our business operations in a responsible, honest, fair and considerate manner. This includes, in particular, the prevention of discrimination of any kind, the health and safety of our employees and integrity in our cooperation with business partners and public authorities.
Work environment
Business practices
Relationships with business partners and public authorities
Enforcement of the principals
Entitlement to equality of opportunity and non-discriminatory treatment
HUBER+SUHNER shall ensure equality of opportunity and equal treatment in order to prevent discrimination on the basis of race or skin colour, gender, language, religion, political opinion, national or social origin, social standing, sexual orientation, disability or age.
We shall not tolerate forced or compulsory labour and shall respect and support children’s rights to be protected against economic exploitation.
Protection against harassment
HUBER+SUHNER shall protect its employees against harassment in the workplace, in particular against any kind of sexual, physical or psychological abuse.
Health, safety and the environment
The health and safety of employees have top priority. HUBER+SUHNER shall ensure the provision of a safe and healthy work environment.
We shall neither develop nor market any products that may pose a potential hazard. In order not to endanger the environment, HUBER+SUHNER is committed to the pursuit of environmentally sound business activities and undertakes to continuously improve its performance in both production- and product-related environmental protection.
Compensation, working hours
HUBER+SUHNER respects and supports existing social standards. Employees shall receive at least the legal minimum pay. In the absence of legal regulations, consideration shall be given to local industry standards.
Employees shall not be forced to work overtime in excess of what is deemed reasonable, and above all shall not exceed the maximum working hours as prescribed by local labour laws. If the working hours are not regulated by local laws and no reliable local standards exist, the provisions of the Swiss Labour Law shall apply.
Trade unions
HUBER+SUHNER employees have the right to join a trade union of their choice within the framework of the applicable laws.
Compliance with legal regulations
HUBER+SUHNER acknowledges and respects all national and international standards and legal regulations as well as the administration practices and the authority of the countries in which it is active.
Information policy, accounting and insider trading
HUBER+SUHNER shall inform its employees, shareholders, the media and financial analysts as well as other target groups in a comprehensive and transparent manner and on the basis of the principle of equal treatment.
The accounts, the annual financial statements and all other financial information shall be prepared in compliance with the relevant legal provisions and statutes. Strict adherence to accounting rules and the selected accounting principles and standards shall be maintained.
No employee shall pass on any non-public information to third parties.
Bribes, gifts, favours
We shall not offer, promise, grant, accept, tolerate, knowingly benefit from or demand any bribes or other improper advantages.
HUBER+SUHNER employees shall not accept or offer any gifts or favours that might be construed as influence-enhancing. If it is customary in a cultural environment to exchange gifts, these shall be of a symbolic nature only.
Intellectual property
HUBER+SUHNER shall treat its intellectual property with the utmost care. The same care shall be applied to the intellectual property of business partners. Employees shall not pass on any confidential information to outside persons, even after they have left the company.
Relationships with business partners and public authorities
Customers and suppliers
Our employees shall honour the ethical principles described herein, also in their dealings with third-party companies. We reject ethically improper business transactions. Customer and supplier information shall be protected. Access to such information shall be limited to employees who require the information for transacting business.
HUBER+SUHNER shall ensure the faithful application and integration of these principles in any contracts or other agreements concluded with business partners.
Involvement in society
HUBER+SUHNER employees shall be allowed to engage in political activities within the framework provided by law.
Authorities
HUBER+SUHNER is active in various countries and must therefore comply with different national and international laws and regulations. All employees in contact with public authorities shall be responsible for observing the applicable laws and regulations.
Applicability, contact partners
This Ethics Code is binding upon all HUBER+SUHNER employees. Any queries concerning these principles, or reports on their violation, shall be addressed to line managers or the Human Resources department.
Employees reporting a violation in good faith shall not have to expect any negative consequences. Such reports shall be treated with the appropriate confidentiality and anonymity.
Punishment of violations
Violation of these principles shall be punished by a reprimand or, in serious cases, by dismissal. Violation of laws may result in criminal prosecution.
Communications
These principles are publicly accessible via the Internet and are also published on the company Intranet. New employees are instructed about the principles by the Human Resources department when joining the company.
