Corporate Social Responsibility

Micro Bar Box Ltd has a number of policies that make up our CSR framework.

Overall we have one objective/goal: Micro Bar Box Ltd is committed to “doing the right thing”.

On this page you will find the following policies and statements:

1. Sustainability policy
2. Human rights and ethical trading policy
3. Equality, diversity and inclusion policy
4. Modern slavery statement

1. Sustainability policy

Part of the MicroBarBox CSR framework

Micro Bar Box Ltd is committed to “doing the right thing”.

We are committed to continual improvement in environmental and social sustainability, ensuring that we understand and address the needs of our customers.

Objectives

We will continually:

• Develop & implement a sustainability strategy for all of our products
• Develop & implement policies and practices that promote environmental accountability and social responsibility
• Establish meaningful targets including carbon emissions reduction
• Work with our supply chain, customers, and other stakeholders to pursue, promote and provide leadership in sustainable development
• Report externally on sustainability performance and achievements

Actions

We will achieve these objectives by:

• Display and provide this policy to all customers, employees, contractors, and other stakeholders
• Review our sustainability strategies, policies, and performance on an annual basis
• Communicate sustainability performance internally and externally

In our operations

• Use resources efficiently to minimise energy use, water, waste, and travel and support innovative solutions to resource management
• Implement the principles of sustainable procurement of all goods and all services

With our employees

• Provide ongoing training and communication for all staff on sustainability issues relevant to the business

With our customers

• Partner with organisations that practice sustainability and encourage knowledge exchange

Corporate governance

• Comply with all current and future legislation
• Avoid any interest or activity that conflicts with the conduct of our official duties
• Demonstrate the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and transparency in all our activities
• Operate an equal opportunities policy for all present and future employees

2. Human rights and ethical trading policy

Part of the MicroBarBox CSR framework

Micro Bar Box Ltd is committed to “doing the right thing”.

This includes:

This policy applies to all employees of Micro Bar Box Ltd

• Full time, part time, casual, permanent, or temporary employees
• Contractors
• Volunteers, vocational and work experience placements

Purpose

A strong, healthy, empowered workforce is essential to the operations of Micro Bar Box Ltd, they also ensure quality of the end product which we deliver to our customers.

It is important that our product represents the best possible use of the environment, natural resources, technology and human resources.

In addition to complying with all applicable legal standards and regulations, Micro Bar Box Ltd works diligently to follow the ethical trading initiative (ETI) base code. This code summarises the ethical trading and labour standards towards which we aim to hold ourselves and our suppliers accountable.

The provisions described within this policy are minimum and not maximum standards and we diligently work to comply with national and other applicable law. 

This policy implemented in compliance with the law and regulations and in the spirit of the Ethical Trading Initiative and the UN guiding principles.

Continual Improvement

We have developed the following policy commitments, practices and behaviours in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).

Policy

Micro Bar Box Ltd is committed to ethical and responsible trading practices, consistent with local laws and the international standards outlined in the Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code (ETI Base Code). These include the ETI Base Code principles of:

• Employment being freely chosen.
• The freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining.
• Providing safe and hygienic working conditions.
• Not using Child Labour, in accordance with local laws and our Young Worker and Child Labour Policy where no minimum age exists.
• Providing living wages in accordance with Fair Work Act 2009 and relevant modern awards, contracts, industrial agreements, and other relevant laws.
• Ensuring working hours are not excessive, and where long working hours and days are required, ensuring that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect workers health and safety.
• Ensuring no discrimination is practiced based on race, caste, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, union membership and political affiliation.
• Providing regular employment where possible.
• Ensuring no harsh or inhumane treatment towards workers is allowed.

In addition, Micro Bar Box Ltd is committed to ensuring its policies and practices reflect the internationally recognised human rights, promoting a culture of respect, inclusion and diversity.

Expectation

We expect our suppliers to support the ethical standards set out in this Policy with regard to workplace safety, environment and fair pay and employment conditions.

This Policy sets out the standards that we expect all of our suppliers to comply with when producing and supplying products for Micro Bar Box Ltd, no matter where they operate in the world. 

We are committed to working with our suppliers to implement improvement plans and help them achieve compliance. 

Our suppliers must commit to complying with all of these requirements, many of which are drawn from the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions. 

These requirements represent minimum standards based on the principles of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 

Further information

Further information on the ETI Base Code can be found at https://www.ethicaltrade.org/ 

3. Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

Part of the MicroBarBox CSR framework

Micro Bar Box Ltd is committed to “doing the right thing”, and within this policy that means encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination.

The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers, and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. 

The organisation - in providing goods and/or services and/or facilities - is also committed against unlawful discrimination of customers or the public.

Our policy’s purpose

This policy’s purpose is to:

1. Provide equality, fairness and respect for all in our employment, whether temporary, part-time or full-time

2. Not unlawfully discriminate because of the Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics of:

• age
• disability
• gender reassignment
• marriage or civil partnership
• pregnancy and maternity
• race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin)
• religion or belief
• sex
• sexual orientation

3. Oppose and avoid all forms of unlawful discrimination. This includes in:

• pay and benefits
• terms and conditions of employment
• dealing with grievances and discipline
• dismissal
• redundancy
• leave for parents
• requests for flexible working
• selection for employment, promotion, training or other developmental opportunities 

Our commitments

The organisation commits to:

1. Encourage equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace as they are good practice and make business sense

2. Create a working environment free of bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination, promoting dignity and respect for all, and where individual differences and the contributions of all staff are recognised and valued.  

This commitment includes training managers and all other employees about their rights and responsibilities under the equality, diversity and inclusion policy. Responsibilities include staff conducting themselves to help the organisation provide equal opportunities in employment, and prevent bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination.

All staff should understand they, as well as their employer, can be held liable for acts of bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination, in the course of their employment, against fellow employees, customers, suppliers and the public

3. Take seriously complaints of bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination by fellow employees, customers, suppliers, visitors, the public and any others in the course of the organisation’s work activities.

Such acts will be dealt with as misconduct under the organisation’s grievance and/or disciplinary procedures, and appropriate action will be taken. Particularly serious complaints could amount to gross misconduct and lead to dismissal without notice.

Further, sexual harassment may amount to both an employment rights matter and a criminal matter, such as in sexual assault allegations. In addition, harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 – which is not limited to circumstances where harassment relates to a protected characteristic – is a criminal offence.

4. Make opportunities for training, development and progress available to all staff, who will be helped and encouraged to develop their full potential, so their talents and resources can be fully utilised to maximise the efficiency of the organisation.

5. Make decisions concerning staff being based on merit (apart from in any necessary and limited exemptions and exceptions allowed under the Equality Act).

6. Review employment practices and procedures when necessary to ensure fairness, and also update them and the policy to take account of changes in the law.

7. Monitor the make-up of the workforce regarding information such as age, sex, ethnic background, sexual orientation, religion or belief, and disability in encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion, and in meeting the aims and commitments set out in the equality, diversity and inclusion policy.

Monitoring will also include assessing how the equality, diversity and inclusion policy, and any supporting action plan, are working in practice, reviewing them annually, and considering and taking action to address any issues.

Agreement to follow this policy

The equality, diversity and inclusion policy is fully supported by senior management.

4. Modern Slavery Statement

Part of the MicroBarBox CSR framework

Micro Bar Box Ltd is committed to “doing the right thing”.

Micro Bar Box Ltd is opposed to all forms of unethical business behaviour. 

We recognise the harmful impact that Modern Slavery has on individuals and society and we are committed to help prevent these illegal practices. 

Modern Slavery is one of the focus areas that make up our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) framework - our customers, suppliers, colleagues and communities expect us to manage this risk and protect the rights and welfare of workers within our own business and our supply chains.

Micro Bar Box Ltd’s policy commitments on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking is as follows: 

• We will assess Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking risks in our business and supply chain. 
• We will comply with all relevant employment and human rights laws for the UK.
• We will conduct due diligence on our recruitment agencies to prevent, identify and mitigate the risks of slavery and human trafficking. 
• We will conduct due diligence on contractors to prevent, identify and mitigate the risks of slavery and human trafficking.
• We will define clear supplier expectations and assess supplier compliance according to identified risk. 
• We will provide training to employees including on the ‘red flags’ of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. 
• We will provide a ‘Speak Up’ line for employees and those external to our business to anonymously report any concerns.