This Code of Ethics constitutes the corporate instrument for clarifying the values and principles that underpin personal and professional conduct among the members of the institution and their relationship with society.
Acceptable conduct for managers and employees:
Create conditions conducive to establishing a productive, pleasant, and respectful work environment;
Treat people and their ideas with dignity and respect;
Prioritize and preserve the interests of the company with customers, government agencies, financial institutions, suppliers, entities, and other companies with which the company maintains commercial relationships;
Comply strictly with the guidelines and strategic direction of the company when assuming a position of trust within the company.
Unacceptable conduct for managers and employees:
Be complicit or negligent regarding errors and violations of this Code of Ethics and the applicable laws and regulations;
Engage in other professional activities during working hours, with or without profit, or engage in activities that cause harm or direct or indirect competition with the company’s activities, regardless of schedule compatibility;
Engage in any type of discrimination against people based on economic, social, political, religious, color, race, or gender reasons;
Prioritize and preserve personal, customer, government, financial institution, supplier, entity, and other companies’ interests to the detriment of the company’s interests;
Obtain advantages for oneself or third parties from privileged access to company information, even if it does not cause harm to the company;
Use for personal benefit or pass on to third parties, documents, work, methodologies, products, tools, services, and information owned by the company or its clients and suppliers, unless required by law or judicial order.
This Code applies to this company, which is committed to working with its partners, subcontractors, and suppliers to encourage them to adopt the principles presented here.
Respect for Human Rights
The company is committed to identifying, preventing, and mitigating the negative impacts on human rights resulting from its business activities or caused by them, should they occur.
Employment Will Be Freely Chosen
There will be no trafficking of persons, involuntary, forced, or slave labor, including prison labor, throughout the supply chain. Workers will not be required to leave under the employer's custody, deposits, or identity documents and will be free to leave the employer after giving prior notice.
Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining Will Be Respected
Workers, without distinction, will have the right to join or form trade unions of their choice and engage in collective bargaining. The company will adopt an open attitude towards union activities as well as its organizational activities. Worker representatives will not be discriminated against and will have access to perform their representative functions in the workplace. When the law restricts the freedom of association and collective bargaining, the employer must facilitate, not hinder, the development of parallel alternatives for free and independent association and negotiation.
Working Conditions Must Be Safe
A safe work environment with good health conditions will be provided, considering the prevailing knowledge in the industry as well as any specific hazards. Reasonable and practical measures will be taken to prevent accidents and health damage that may arise from or be caused by the inherent dangers in the work environment.
Child Labor Shall Not Be Used
Child labor will not be employed. Companies will develop or participate in policies and programs that provide a transition base for children found working, enabling them to attend and remain in quality education until reaching adulthood. Children and young people under the age of 18 will not be employed for night work or hazardous conditions. This policy and procedures will be followed in accordance with ILO standards.
Fair Wages Will Be Paid
Salaries and benefits, corresponding to the work month, must, at a minimum, be paid in accordance with national legal standards or the industrial sector base, whichever is higher. Wages should always be sufficient to meet basic needs. Before beginning work, all employees will receive written and understandable information regarding working conditions related to wages and details of their salaries during each payment period. Salary deductions due to disciplinary actions, as well as any deductions not established in national laws, will not be allowed without the employee's authorization.
Working Hours Shall Not Be Excessive
Working hours must comply with national laws and industry sector standards, or whichever offers greater protection. Under no circumstances will employees regularly exceed 48 hours per week, and they must have at least one day off every 7 (seven) days. Overtime will be voluntary and may not exceed 12 hours per week and will not be required regularly. Our company operates in full compliance with applicable laws regarding wages, working hours, and overtime.
There Will Be No Discrimination
There will be no discrimination in hiring, remuneration, access to training, promotion, dismissal, or retirement based on race, social class, origin, religion, age, disability, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, union membership, or political party affiliation.
Regular Work Will Be Provided
Wherever possible, work will be based on a recognized employment relationship established by national laws and regulations. Obligations towards workers from regular employment laws cannot be avoided through the use of employment contracts, outsourcing, or home-based work. These obligations also cannot be avoided through internship programs, where there is no real intention to impart skills or provide permanent employment, nor through the excessive use of fixed-term contracts.
Inhuman and Harsh Treatment Will Not Be Allowed
Physical or disciplinary abuse, threat of physical, sexual, or other types of harassment, verbal abuse, or any other forms of intimidation are prohibited.
Social Responsibility
The company does not under any circumstances accept child labor or any contractual/legal irregularities in its supply chain. The occurrence of any of the above situations will lead to a joint effort to develop a responsible solution, evaluating the situation to apply appropriate corrective measures, always considering the best interests of the victim. The company reserves the right to terminate relationships with any organization that does not comply with these policies.
Communication to Employees
Open and honest communication between all employees is valued. The company is committed to complying with applicable labor and employment laws. If you believe there is a conflict between the written policies and local laws, customs, and practices, or if you have any doubts regarding this Code or wish to report a potential violation, you should, in good faith, communicate those concerns through existing channels, which make every effort to maintain confidentiality. You may ask questions or report potential violations of this Code through the suggestion box available at the company or via email at sugestoes@erius.pt. No retaliation or reprisals will be taken against any employee for raising concerns. The company is committed to investigating, correcting, and responding to employee concerns and taking appropriate corrective actions in response to any violation.
Contact: sugestoes@erius.pt
Publication date: October 29, 2024
Last revision date: October 25, 2024
Data Controller: Érius - Têxteis, S.A.