HR Policies
Signet Group is committed to conducting its business in a manner that reflects honesty, integrity and ethical conduct. Signet believes that the integrity demonstrated by its employees contributes to its success and influences its reputation.
Signet is committed to upholding the labour standards set out in the fundamental ILO conventions within our own business.
The Group is also committed to ensuring a healthy and safe environment, both for employees and for our customers.
Business Integrity
Principle
Signet is committed to conducting its business in a manner that reflects honesty, integrity and ethical conduct. Signet believes that the integrity demonstrated by its employees contributes to its success and influences its reputation.
Policy
Signet believes that our employees have an important role to play in setting and maintaining a high standard of business integrity, and acting as good role models for their colleagues and, in wider terms, the communities in which they work.
Signet seeks to comply with all applicable laws and regulations in the countries where we operate.
Signet has adopted a firm policy of not offering or accepting bribes in any form. We recognise that there are instances when an employee may be sent a gift by an external agency, or when an employee wishes to send a gift to an external agency in the course of their employment. If a gift is received or to be sent, the employee must obtain management approval. If the gift is likely to directly influence a business decision, by way of a bribe, management approval will not be given. Any employee who is found to have breached this policy will be investigated and, if appropriate, be subject to disciplinary action and potential dismissal.
We encourage our employees to recognise situations where there could be a conflict of interest between the employee's personal situation and the Company, for example in dealings with relatives. If such a conflict should arise, the employee should notify the possible conflict, in writing, to their line manager, who will decide on the implications and the need to isolate the individual from the relevant decision making processes.
Our employees have access to confidential information and data. Employees will use this information for company business and not to further personal interests or use the information to infringe the privacy of individuals.
We will only make political contributions where they are lawful, properly disclosed and approved by the Board.
We recognise that due to the nature of ethical issues, there can be uncertainty regarding how employees should act, however we have an open approach which enables employees to bring forward potential ethical concerns to management and colleagues to obtain further clarification on the most appropriate action to take.
Principle
Signet is committed to upholding the labour standards set out in the fundamental ILO conventions within our own business.
Our Commitments to Employees
Our first commitment in upholding labour standards is to our employees. Our employees represent one of our main assets and are key to our ability to achieve our objectives and mission.
Signet always endeavours to comply with employment laws in the countries in which it operates.
Our aim is to provide financial rewards and career advancement in recognition of value added by individuals. To enable staff to succeed, we aim to provide staff at all levels of the organisation with the opportunity to develop themselves professionally through training.
Teamwork and co-ordination at all levels is part of the way we do business. Integral to this teamwork is an understanding of the need to treat each other with consistency, fairness and respect. We will also respect our employees' work-home life balance and privacy, including complying with all applicable legal requirements in relation to any personal data we hold.
We value honest, open and constructive communications throughout the organisation.
Signet recognises that on occasions it may be necessary to make workforce reductions. In cases where this is necessary, we will apply procedures based on objective criteria, which will be applied fairly.
Our employees, in turn, are expected to do their best to contribute towards the achievement of our business objectives.
Working hours
Signet does not, except in special circumstances or as permitted by local law, expect employees to work more than the lesser of:
- 48 hours per week
- The limits on regular hours allowed by local law.
Signet recognises that those in management positions may exceed these limits in the course of carrying out their roles and responsibilities. Also in light of the seasonal nature of our business, Signet recognises that employees will be expected in special circumstances to work longer hours for short periods of time. This should be in compliance with the regulations of the country of employment. Working hours exceeding 48 hours per week must be planned in a way to ensure safe and humane working conditions.
Consecutive working days must be in accordance with local legislation.
Equal Opportunities Policy
Signet's policy is to provide equal opportunities to all employees and not to tolerate unlawful discrimination on any grounds or at any level. Signet recognises and respects cultural differences. Employment of staff- including the hiring, advancement, remuneration, benefits and termination arrangements - should at all times be based on the employee's abilities.
Organisational responsibility: Signet's Board's policy is to ensure appropriate equal opportunity management systems are in place in the operating divisions. Divisional Management is accountable to the Board for ensuring compliance with local laws, defining roles and responsibilities, and confirming that appropriate resources are provided.
Framework for management: Divisional Management will ensure that personnel making business decisions are aware of diversity and equal opportunity policies. All Signet employees are responsible for knowing and supporting the equal opportunities policy.
Through our equal opportunity systems Signet will endeavour to:
- Be legally compliant in the countries in which it operates.
- Provide a process where employee complaints can be heard confidentially and be addressed
- Provide a harassment-free work environment where no employee is under threat or intimidation.
- Offer equal opportunities in respect of recruitment, training, advancement and termination, to all current and potential employees based solely on their experience and performance. Encourage effective two-way communication between employees and management on these issues
- Provide remuneration and benefits based on the employee's contribution and abilities
- Monitor, review and report its performance in accordance with local legislation.
Principle
Signet is committed to ensuring a healthy and safe environment, both for employees and for our customers.
Policy
Signet's regards the establishment of a positive safety culture as an integral part of its business. By seeking to proactively manage health and safety issues, we minimise the risk of injury and illness to our employees and customers, as well as the loss or damage to our property. Good health and safety performance is, however, as dependent on the active participation of all our employees as it is upon the responsibility of management to provide a safe working environment.
Organisational responsibility: Signet's Board's policy is to that appropriate Health and Safety management systems are in place in the operating divisions. Divisional Management are accountable to the Board for ensuring compliance with local laws, defining roles and responsibilities as well as confirming that appropriate resources are provided.
Framework for management: Divisional Management will ensure that health and safety issues are integrated into decision making processes to ensure that business decisions do take due regard of health and safety concerns. Divisional Management will maintain health and safety management systems, which in combination with clear guidance and training, make employees responsible for ensuring the health and safety of themselves, their colleagues and our customers.
Through our health and safety systems we will endeavour to:
- Ensure compliance with legal requirements in the countries in which we operate
- Operate a system of risk assessment to identify, assess and control hazards related to the health and safety of our employees and customers
- Train our employees on the importance of health and safety in the environments in which they operate and encourage effective two-way communication between employees and management on health and safety
- Monitor, review and report our performance in accordance with local legislation.