CODE OF CONDUCT

HICMRs vision is to promote a safer world through the prevention of infection. In keeping with this vision, we recognise that it is important to ensure that the Clients that we provide Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) Products and Services to and those organisations that we engage to assist with the provision of these services also respect fundamental human rights, which are consistent with our Code of Conduct, and are aware of  our responsibility to manage the environmental impact of our service provision.

Compliance with Laws

HICMR our service providers and our Clients are required to operate in compliance with all applicable national and local laws and regulations, including but not limited to those relating to modern slavery, labour, health and safety, and the environment.

Ethics and Business Conduct

HICMR expects all, our service providers and Clients and their agents to behave ethically and with integrity in all business transactions, including:

• All forms of corruption, extortion or embezzlement are strictly prohibited.
• Bribes or other means of obtaining undue or improper advantage are not to be offered or accepted.
• Our service providers and Clients should observe local custom with respect to gifts, and not offer or receive gifts that could affect, or be perceived to affect, the outcome of business transactions or are not otherwise reasonable and justified.
• Financial records must be kept in accordance with all applicable accounting practices, legal and regulatory requirements.
• Our service providers and Clients will not use the HICMR name or brand elements without HICMR’s prior written consent.
• HICMR’s intellectual property rights are to be respected.

Modern Slavery

HICMR is committed to ensuring our practices to combat modern slavery within our business and within our service provision / partners. HICMR has a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery, and we are committed to:

• Acting ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships; and
• Implementing and enforcing effective policies and procedures to ensure modern slavery is not taking place within our business or our products.

Our Policies

We have a Modern Slavery policy that reflects this commitment. Our policy applies to all our employees, service providers and to our clients. Reference to our position in relation to same is also included in all relevant Human Resource, Selection of External Providers & Products & Services procedures. Relevant procedures are available to all our employees via our internal intranet and to our service providers & clients through our on boarding / engagement process.

In order to act ethically and with integrity, to support our people, and to ensure there is no modern slavery or human trafficking within our organisation, including our products / services or any part of our business we have a number of policies and procedures that relate to the people within our business. Each policy is reviewed by a member of the Executive Team and is reviewed & revised on a periodic basis or when required due to a change of law or best practice.

Our Business

Recruitment: We operate a robust and transparent recruitment process in accordance with published recruitment guidelines. Our guidelines require that checks must be carried out on all shortlisted candidates on their eligibility to work in the relevant country to safeguard against modern slavery. Our guidelines include a statement on modern slavery including a list of the key signs to look out for which could indicate that someone may be a victim of modern slavery or human trafficking. We work with established and reputable organisations to provide our associated work force.

All staff have free of charge access to an Employee Assistance Programme.

Awareness: We offer on demand eLearning on modern slavery via our training site to enable staff members to gain a high level of understanding of the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking. We monitor changes in the legislation and best practice and keep HICMR employees updated on any changes via our internal intranet.

Reporting: We encourage our staff to ‘speak up’ if they have any concerns about any conduct taking place within HICMR, and monitor through our Employee Survey. If a staff member identifies any of the signs of modern slavery, they may report this to the CEO / Principal IPC Consultant or Business Manager.

Our Clients

Our clients include organisations and individuals that support the delivery of our IPC products and services to achieve our vision, mission & values, including providers of:

• Qualifications, assessment, and accreditation / ISO Certification.
• Operational products and services - professional services.

Client Due Diligence: As part of our process to identify and reduce the risk of modern slavery and human trafficking in our business, including products and services, HICMR:

• Ensure that anti-slavery and human trafficking considerations form part of the procurement process in accordance with our Procurement Policy.
• Include anti-slavery and human trafficking provisions within all of our standard supplier agreements.
• Provide advice regarding our position on Modern Slavery to our external providers and new clients as a component of our on-boarding process.