Overview
Our business principles set out the standards we expect and to which we must all work.
Introduction
Our continued success depends on our ability, both as a company and as individuals, to establish and maintain positive relationships not only with our customers, colleagues and shareholders but also with our business partners, suppliers and the wider communities in which we work.
Our business principles set out our commitment to operate professionally, fairly and with integrity wherever we work in the world. Furthermore, they help us to protect and enhance our reputation by creating a clear framework to guide our behaviour and decision-making.
We expect the highest levels of ethical conduct and will support those who make decisions based on our business principles. As employees, business partners and suppliers, we have a shared responsibility to make sure we reflect these principles in our behaviour. This guide explains the standards we expect and how to put our principles into practice in the many situations we encounter every day.
Like you, I want to be proud of what we achieve. Our business principles clearly set out how we want to work but I need your support to make sure that we continue to maintain the highest ethical standards throughout our organisation.
Sam Laidlaw
Chief Executive
1. Demonstrating integrity in corporate conduct
We are committed to working within the laws and regulations of all the countries in which we operate. In the absence of adequate laws and regulations, we will adopt recognised international standards of best practice and promote these in our business operations.
We also support the 10 principles described in the United Nations Global Compact and will seek to address social, ethical or environmental matters that may affect our shareholders, employees, customers and neighbours.
We believe that competitive markets can only flourish where there are sound business ethics. Our businesses are judged by what the outside world thinks of us and the way we conduct ourselves collectively. As such, we will assess the implications of our business decisions for all our stakeholders and manage our social, ethical and environmental impact accordingly.
We will avoid conflicts of interest and implement anti-corruption polices and procedures.
Read more – Demonstrating integrity in corporate conduct PDF (0.89Mb)
2. Ensuring openness and transparency
Open and transparent communications with our shareholders, employees, customers, local communities and society are important to us, but we also respect commercial confidentiality and the privacy of our employees and customers.
We will provide meaningful and timely communications to stakeholders of our social, ethical and environmental performance, which form part of our business principles, through the annual reporting process and online progress reports.
We will not engage in bribery or any form of unethical inducement or payment, even if this would result in Centrica losing a business opportunity.
3. Respecting human rights
We support all aspects of human rights set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which forms the basis of our respect for the communities and societies in which we operate. Human rights considerations affect many aspects of our business activities, from our employment processes and investment strategies, to the health, safety and security of our people and assets and our goal to contribute positively to communities in which we operate.
4. Enhancing customer experiences and business partnerships
We will treat our customers fairly and professionally to deliver good quality customer service based on trust and credibility. We will also work with our customers to ensure they understand how to use our products and services safely and responsibly.
We will maintain dialogue with regulators, consumer and industry organisations and relevant not-for-profit organisations to inform our decision-making and ensure that we provide innovative products and services that are relevant to the markets in which we operate.
We will disseminate these principles to our business partners – including sub-contractors, suppliers and joint venture partners – and will seek to promote their application throughout our supply chain.
Read more – Enhancing customer experiences and business partnerships PDF (0.58Mb)
5. Valuing our people
We value our people and are committed to creating a culture of mutual trust and respect. We will recruit people based on the qualifications and abilities needed to do the job, while promoting diversity and development throughout our business.
We will work with our employees to ensure fair consultation and representation in decision-making, and respect employees’ rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining. We will not tolerate any form of discrimination, harassment or bullying in the workplace.
6. Focusing on health, safety and security
The health, safety and security of our employees, customers and others who may be affected by our activities are a top priority. We believe that all work-related fatalities, injuries and illnesses can be prevented and we are committed to ensuring that all employees work in a safe and healthy way.
Read more – Focusing on health, safety and security PDF (0.54Mb)
7. Protecting the environment
We are committed to understanding, managing and reducing the environmental impact of our activities. In particular we are committed to playing our full part in the transition to a low-carbon energy future, while ensuring the security of present and future energy supplies. We aim to achieve this by sourcing and producing energy from cleaner sources, reducing wasted energy and developing and deploying new technology.
We aim to maintain our low-carbon position in power generation by developing renewable and low-carbon energy sources that will facilitate the reduction of our carbon footprint. We are also committed to leading the consumer market for low-carbon energy products and services, helping customers to reduce their energy usage.
We recognise that our operations, together with the way we deliver products and services, can have a major impact on the environment – for example, in the way we produce and use energy, manage our local environment and its biodiversity, operate our fleet of vehicles and manage the waste we create. We will work with our employees and suppliers to reduce these impacts. In addition we will quantify, measure and communicate our environmental performance in a rigorous and clear manner.
8. Investing in communities
We recognise that strong relationships and long-term partnerships with local communities are fundamental to our sustained success. Wherever we operate, we seek to develop enduring relationships with our neighbours based on mutual trust, respect and an understanding of our impact.
We are committed to providing additional targeted support for our more vulnerable customers and the promotion of social inclusion. We also promote education, skills development and employability in the communities we serve.
How can employees raise concerns?
If an employee is concerned about any possible improper, unethical or illegal practice within the organisation, he or she has a responsibility to speak up. We have provided a confidential and independent 'Speak up' helpline.
Calls to this helpline are monitored and reported on a quarterly basis to the General Risk Management Committee and Audit Committee and appropriate action is taken to address issues raised.
