Introduction to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

CSR refers to how businesses regulate themselves to ensure that all of their activities positively affect society as a whole. CSR policies aim to guarantee that companies work ethically, considering human rights and their business’s social, economic, and environmental impacts. Companies should meet and strive to exceed any relevant legislation, and if legislation does not exist in a particular area, the company should ensure they carry out best practices.

Hawthorn Estates Ltd (Henceforth known as HE) are committed to ensuring that any business undertakings are conducted as ethically as possible by following the below policy.

Who we are and what we do?

HE is a family-owned company based in Lancashire, established in 1976. Our years of experience have been enhanced by constantly updating and acquiring skills, enabling us to fulfil our client’s needs.

Our primary team consists of two Directors, Facilities and security manager and a handyperson. Along with our immediate team, we work with companies that excel in specific fields. These companies receive checks for competency and compliance with current legislation before undertaking any work for our clients.

Since we began in 1976, we have built up a large arsenal of contacts; this enables us to undertake jobs, from basic site cleaning to complicated building repairs.

HE is accredited/certified members:

  • CIOB
  • CHAS
  • Alcumus – Safe Contractor
  • Constructionline
  • Slave-Free Alliance
  • ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems
  • ISO 9001:2015 Quality and Procedure Management System

Looking after Employees

The key to retaining a loyal and productive workforce is to maintain a good working environment.

HE aims to do this by meeting the following:

  • Equal Opportunities Employer as per the Human Rights Act 2010,
  • Modern Slavery Act 2015 – As a member of the Slave-Free Alliance, HE works hard to ensure all persons that work on their sites (including sub-contractors) are equally and legally correct.
  • The company’s health and safety policies and procedures are available to employees on induction, and copies (paper/virtual) are available on request.
  • All employees are encouraged to gain personal development, training, and appraisals while working for HE.
  • HE has an open-door policy with all employees.
  • Pay and benefits, i.e., staff are paid the National Minimum/ Living Wage, and on time as stated in employee contracts, employees’ pension program begin on the first month of employment. Then, if required, a company phone contract is organised for the employee.
  • Employees with a clean driver’s licence over the age of 25 are entitled to use any company vehicles/machinery. Employees must be provided evidence before the use of any company-owned vehicles/ machinery.

Looking after Customers

HE can provide our clients with more of a personal touch so that their site gets the needed attention when it is free from customers and vehicles, thus reducing the risk of injury or damage at a cost to the client.

HE trained employees can fulfil their job requirements and be proactive. They notify us when there is any problem on-site, keeping our clients up to date with site matters. The benefit of being proactive enables our clients to instruct another company or ourselves to quickly carry out required tasks, minimising further damage or potential hazard.

Competitive costs are provided for the quality and availability of the client’s material and labour per job. For example, HE works on a translucent basis with clients, and we aim to provide the best quality for the best price.

HE is known for spotting additional problems before starting works, these other works are found in the quote the client receives, and they are explained so that the client is aware of why the additional work is required for the safe completion of works. These additional fees are added if agreed with the client.

Each phase of the job is reported to the point of contact (client). Work progress can be seen in :

  • site reports,
  • photographs of before, during and after works,
  • email and phone correspondence,
  • on-site visits.

Suppliers’ Standards

The suppliers and sub-contractor that HE uses are specifically chosen for the same standards and ethics that HE achieves.

Dependant of the locality of the site will depend on the supplier chosen by HE.

HE prefers to support local traders and suppliers; they aim to help the small companies.

HE works on an invoice to pay system; all works are expected to be completed as agreed before invoices are processed for payment.

Each supplier and sub-contract have a point of contact within HE to enable clear communication between both parties.

Protecting the Environment

HE is a certified ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System holder; this shows that HE is eager to reduce its impact on the environment.

The Environmental Agency has Certified HE as waste carriers, brokers and dealers. In addition, HE employs a waste disposal company to remove waste from specific sites; this company is used to reduce waste by eliminating recyclables and other items that can be re-used.

As part of the environmental policy, HE reduces vehicle usage by scheduling works in selected areas to be completed in the same period. In addition, employees are expected to car-share where possible to and from Jobs to minimise the CO2 emissions.

  

Sign:          K.Millar                                                        Position:      Managing Director                                                      Date: 27.07.2021