This is the Corporate Social Responsibility Policy of St John’s Buildings Barristers Chambers and St John’s Buildings Ltd.
Purpose
We are committed to ethical and sustainable business practices. This means we take account of our social, economic and environmental impact. We recognise that the delivery of our service has a direct impact on the environment and local community and that we have a responsibility to be a good neighbour, a good employer and a responsible consumer of resources.
This policy outlines how we contribute to our community, support our people and mitigate our impact on the environment.
Scope
- To support and encourage employees and counsel to be involved in charitable activities within the local community.
- To ensure that employees and counsel have the opportunity to realise their full potential and have the tools necessary to develop and grow through training, both compulsory and optional.
- To operate an open door policy allowing employees and counsel to raise any concerns with line managers and HR and to ensure that employees and counsel are not victimised for doing so.
- To ensure that each employee or barrister’s traditions and beliefs are respected, and encourage and promote diversity throughout the organisation.
- To maintain communication with employees and counsel so as to ensure this and all other policies are actively exercised.
- To encourage employees and counsel to ‘think outside of the box’ and offer suggestions as to how any policy or process can be improved.
- To reward employees for hard work and innovative thinking should the idea help in the running of the business.
- To protect each employee, barrister or supplier from third parties who may become abusive; this includes customers, suppliers and the general public.
- To ensure that employees and counsel protect and do not misuse company assets only use them in an appropriate manner as set out in the employee contract or chambers’ policies.
- To make certain that all employees and counsel are aware of the impact that we as a business and they as individuals have on the external environment.
- To support and understand employee and counsel well-being, ensuring staff and barristers are encouraged to maintain an appropriate work-life balance.
- To minimise our usage of electricity by ensuring all electrical appliances, where possible, are switched off at the end of each day.
- To maximise our use of technology and motion detection solutions to ensure lighting and electrical appliances automatically turns off when not in use.
- To adhere to all relevant legislation surrounding our industry and, where necessary, will seek legal advice in order to ensure honest trade.
- To support charitable initiatives that align with company values to be reviewed annually through the CSR strategy.
- To compete fairly within our industry.
Employment
We strive to create equal opportunities for all employees and barristers. Please see our Equality policy.
We aim to ensure all members and staff of St John’s Buildings will not discriminate against colleagues or employees as per, but not exclusive to, the protected characteristics as detailed in the Equality Act 2010. Any instance where an employee or member is found to be non-compliant with this section or with our Dignity at Work (Prevention of Bullying and Harassment) policy will be treated seriously as this will not be tolerated.
We are committed to diversity and social mobility. To ensure all recruitment will be fair and consistent to each candidate. Please see Chambers’ Equality policy.
Any employee who feels that they have grounds for complaint must follow Chambers’ grievance procedure which is accessible to all.
To instil on our employees that they must respect the privacy of each member of the company. Each member is encouraged to avoid any activities which could conflict with their responsibilities to the company.
Environment
We are committed to reducing our direct impact on the environment by actively managing our waste, emissions and consumption of natural resources. We have a separate Environmental Policy which addresses all issues surrounding this area. We are committed to delivering on all of our individual targets.
We utilise technology throughout our processes to reduce our paper usage and reliance on natural materials and resources.
We suppress our requirement for energy by reducing usage duration and unnecessary operational processes.
Clients
We constantly strive to provide efficient, value for money, high quality and dependable services to all clients.
All barristers and employees act in an honest and professional manner when dealing with all clients.
All barristers and employees remain aware that they are being trusted with highly sensitive information and must not break the trust that our clients, suppliers and company as a whole have in them. Please see the Information Management Policy for further information.
Supply chain
We seek out the most advantageous procurement route for the services we purchase.
We maintain working relationships as they are key to the success of our business.
The individuals who we outsource to have adhered and continue to adhere to any legislation surrounding their profession or our industry as a whole.
Community
We strive to create employment opportunities for the local community.
We are aware that our business affects our local and wider community whether as employees, barristers, customers or suppliers so we are constantly striving to build partnerships in order to create positive change.
Bribery
All of our people and processes comply with the Bribery Act 2010 and any amendments made to such legislation and acts.
To make certain that no employee or barrister working on behalf of Chambers shall accept or offer a bribe.
To put in place necessary procedures in order to adhere to the Bribery Act 2010. Please see the Anti-Bribery Policy.
Confidentiality
To ensure all employees adhere to the legislation included in and surrounding the Data Protection Act 1998. Please see Chambers’ Information Management Policy.
Health and safety
To maintain a safe working environment for all employees and also a safe environment for clients. Please see Chambers’ Health and Safety policy for further guidance.
Security
To ensure that the building is safe at all times to ensure the security of data, barristers and staff.
To ensure that our IT systems are well guarded and secure for the security of data.
To provide a safe working environment for all employees and barristers and a safe environment for all clients, suppliers and members of the public visiting us.
