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Ethical Trading Policy

CORTEX seeks to be a good corporate citizen in everything that it does.

CORTEX believes strongly in ethical principles and good stewardship.

We are therefore proud to guarantee that we trade according to the following Ethical Trading Criteria:

  • All employment is freely chosen.
  • Working conditions are safe and hygienic.
  • Child labour is not used.
  • Wages are fair and comparable to industry standard and will always exceed the minimum wage.
  • Deductions from wages as a disciplinary measure shall not be permitted.
  • Working hours are not excessive.
  • No discrimination is practised.
  • Regular employment is provided for those who are employed on a permanent contract.
  • No harsh, cruel or degrading treatment or practices are allowed.
  • No bribery, corruption, blackmailing or bullying is permitted.
  • Third Party Suppliers and buyers are both free to sell and buy from any number of other businesses.

No restrictions, as a way of guaranteeing business, are allowed. We also ask all our suppliers to affirm in writing to us that their businesses are also built on these ethical criteria. We have developed a full policy statement outlining how we expect our practice to develop in order to be able to offer strong guarantees to our customers that the services they receive from us have been ethically designed, managed and implemented.

Our full ethical trade policy statement

CORTEX recognises that our commercial activities have the potential to impact on our suppliers and our locality. As a socially responsible small business our suppliers, the local community and customers have a right to expect:

  • Products manufactured and sourced by CORTEX are produced under working conditions that are hygienic and safe.
  • All workers involved in the delivery of services provided by CORTEX are treated with full consideration of their basic human rights.
  • CORTEX acts in an ethical manner above and beyond basic legal requirements.
  • CORTEX is therefore committed to implementing the principles of the Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code (although we are not members of the ETI).
  • This policy sets out CORTEX’s commitment to its suppliers and customers; setting out the measures we are taking to ensure that we are acting in an ethical manner.

CORTEX’s commitment to its suppliers, service providers and customers

CORTEX recognises that our ethical and social performance and reputation is a key part of our overall commercial success.

Employees

CORTEX is committed to ensuring that our employment practices and the enforcement of corporate regulations ensure the protection of the rights of all those who work for us. In many areas, we aim to operate above the minimum standards required by law to ensure our employees are safe, rewarded and valued. As we of course expand and become larger, we will be able to offer more opportunities for our staff.

Customers

CORTEX is committed to demonstrating its ethical and social responsibility credentials to enable customers to make informed choices about whose services they purchase.

Suppliers

CORTEX is committed to monitoring social standards in our supply chain, and we encourage our suppliers to operate to the same ethical standards we employ ourselves.

CORTEX ethical trading code of practice

This Code of Practice applies to:

  • Staff directly employed by CORTEX on temporary or permanent contracts.
  • Staff employed or provided by contractors or employment agencies to work on CORTEX premises or to undertake work for or on behalf of CORTEX.

No forced, bonded or involuntary labour shall be used:

  • All employment with CORTEX is freely chosen.
  • Staff are not required to lodge deposits or identity papers with us.
  • Staff are free to leave CORTEX after reasonable notice.

No child labour shall be used:

  • There shall be no recruitment of child labour.
  • Children or persons under 16 are not employed at any time, day or night.
  • Children or persons under 18 are not employed full-time.

Working conditions are safe and hygienic:

  • CORTEX takes adequate measures to prevent accidents and minimise potential hazards.
  • Staff receive regular health and safety training.
  • Staff have unrestricted access to toilet facilities and drinking water.
  • CORTEX has a published Health & Safety Policy.

Working hours and remuneration are reasonable and comparable to other companies in our sector and regular employment is provided:

  • Staff pay rates are above the national legal minimum standards.
  • Staff are not forced to work in excess of 48 hours per week, a voluntary opt-out agreement is available for those wishing to work in excess of 48 hours per week.
  • Staff are provided 2 days off per week.
  • Staff are given written terms and conditions of employment that details the employment relationship between (and the respective obligations of) the employee and employer, rates of pay, working hours, grievance and disciplinary procedures, holiday entitlement, absence and sick pay rules and notice periods for termination of employment.
  • No deductions are made from wages as a disciplinary measure, and payslips detailing lawful deductions are provided for each pay period.
  • Labour-only contracting, subcontracting and fixed-term contracts are not used as a means to avoid obligations under labour or social security laws.

No discrimination is practised:

  • There is no discrimination in pay, hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, and termination of employment or retirement on the grounds of race, nationality, religion, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, union membership or political affiliation.
  • Opportunities for personal and career development are equally available to all employees.

No harassment, threats, abuse or intimidation shall be practised. Physical, verbal and sexual threats, abuse, harassment or intimidation is expressly prohibited and is grounds for summary dismissal, if proved.

We will comply with sanctions:

CORTEX recognises that sanctions on dealing with certain individuals, organisations or countries can be imposed by Government and is committed to conducting its business in compliance with all applicable sanctions laws.

CORTEX recognises the following Sanctions:

  • Financial sanctions preventing CORTEX from doing business (providing goods and/or Services whether charged or not) with particular individuals and organisations anywhere in the world.
  • Trade sanctions restricting CORTEX from sending certain types of goods to particular countries.

These sanctions may prevent CORTEX from providing, or require CORTEX to Terminate certain agreements. When a sanction is invoked and that sanction affects a CORTEX Customer, CORTEX will notify the customer and agree on how to honour the sanction in accordance with our Terms & Conditions of business.

Organisation

CORTEX Directors have overall responsibility for all aspects of ethical trading at work within the business.