Corporate Social Responsibility Policy
ASTUTE Technical Recruitment Ltd made the development of a Corporate Social Responsibility Policy a key objective when the business was being set up in 2006. As a Technical Recruitment Consultancy we interact with a wide variety of people, including our Clients, Candidates, Employees, Suppliers, and the wider community. It is important that we behave in a socially responsible manner, maintaining high Quality standards. We understand social and environmental concerns, and aim to operate in a way which adds value in everything we do.
Our business values and operations must meet the expectations of our stakeholders, which is why we continually review the way in which ASTUTE operates, to maximise our effectiveness, and compliance. We take feedback from our stakeholders very seriously, and maintain open dialogue which helps us to fulfil our requirements. We communicate our strategies openly, ensuring ‘buy in’ from our stakeholders, and a continual commitment to sustainable development.
ASTUTE’s Operations Director, Darren Simmons, is responsible for the implementation of this policy, and provides the necessary resources to realise corporate responsibilities. Ultimately, the achievement of our goals rests with ASTUTE’s employees.
Our Corporate Social Responsibility Policy covers the following areas;
Employees
Community
Equal Opportunities
Health and Safety
Environmental / Waste
Energy
Transport
Recruitment and Employment Confederation
Employees
ASTUTE appreciate that our key assets are our Employees, including our Consultants, Accounts Team, and Administrators. For this reason we feel it is vital to offer each member of staff a structured training and development programme, to develop their career with ASTUTE. Where our training programme differs from the norm is that we monitor our staff on a continual basis, identify strengths and weaknesses, and develop a programme to address key areas.
ASTUTE understand that each member of staff develops differently, so our training programme is built accordingly, and allows our employees to develop a career in technical recruitment, with genuine prospects. Our employees attend off site training on our software packages soon after joining, and we encourage our consultants to gain appropriate REC qualifications, with financial assistance from ASTUTE. Our consultants have a range of qualifications including the REC MRec accreditation, Engineering Degrees, and CIPD certificates.
To support our employees the Directors of ASTUTE felt it important to build an enjoyable working environment. We have a modern open plan office in the Portsmouth Technopole, which houses innovative and high technology businesses, and we’ve committed to sophisticated IT systems. We are ideally situated, just off the M275, well placed to attract further Recruitment Consultants who live in areas such as Portsmouth and Southsea.
Our office also includes an American Pool table, and Xbox 360s for after hours enjoyment, helping to build the enjoyable working environment we strive for.
ASTUTE appreciate that good Recruitment Consultants are highly motivated, driven, individuals who want to earn well. For this reason we developed a salary / benefits package to attract the very best Consultants, incorporating excellent base salaries, an uncapped commission / bonus scheme, and regular added incentives to drive excellence in everything that we do. A Contributory Pension Scheme is offered, along with regular social events through the course of the year.
Vitally, we offer the chance to join a fast growing and dynamic organisation where all employees will be rewarded for playing a part in the growth and ultimate success of ASTUTE.
Community
ASTUTE are keen to work closely with the local community to add value, and be involved in a number of initiatives, from BusinessLink meetings to Fund Raising events. Our employees are actively encouraged to attend networking events to forge stronger links with the local community.
In addition we have been involved in a number of Charity Fund Raising events this year, including for Breast Cancer Research and Children In Need. As ASTUTE grows we hope to establish ourselves as an opinion leader on recruitment matters , and we regularly attend meetings relevant to the sectors we operate in, such as the British Wind Energy Associations’ quarterly meetings.
We are set to establish the ASTUTE football team to play in a local league, and are currently in discussions with a couple of youth sports initiatives which we intend supplying sponsorship to.
Equal Opportunities
ASTUTE is an Equal Opportunities Employer, and support the principles of the Equal Opportunities Act 1976, and the Sex Discrimination Act 1975. We intend to uphold both acts, and work to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation’s Code of Conduct. We aim to ensure that all candidates seeking employment do so on an equal standing, and also operate a diversity policy.
We are committed to ensuring that no prospective or existing candidate will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origins, creed, disability, HIV status, sexual orientation, gender, marital or parental status, political belief, social or economic class or any other reason which ASTUTE deem unjustifiable.
We are also committed to monitoring Equal Opportunities for all candidates, and ASTUTE’s Sales Director, Matt George, is responsible for reviewing and monitoring this, taking action as appropriate. The Sales Director reports to Managing Director, Terry Buckel, who is ultimately responsible for the implementation of our policies.
ASTUTE will give a full hearing to any candidate who believes that he or she has been treated in a way that is not consistent with the Equal Opportunities Policy. Complaints or advice should be addressed to Matt George, Sales Director. Mgeorge@astutetechnical.co.uk or 02392 658 210.
Health and Safety
ASTUTE operate an Occupational Health and Safety System, ensuring that we identify and manage risk and consult with our employees on any issues which may affect their health and safety. We are working towards OHSAS 18001:1999 (Occupational Health and Safety) certification, and already work in a manner which we believe meets, and hopefully exceeds, OHSAS requirements.
We provide and maintain a safe office environment, and equipment such as computers and printers which have been electrically tested. Our employees are highly competent and understand the need to work in a safe manner. This helps to prevent accidents, and maintain safe and healthy working conditions.
Environmental /Waste
ASTUTE are committed to operating in an Environmentally friendly manner, in accordance with sound Environmental practices.
In order to achieve our goals we look to minimise our consumption of natural resources and energy, whilst consuming material goods in moderation. We try to reduce the creation of waste by the adoption of improved operating practices, such as running a virtually paperless office, submitting invoices electronically, and asking candidates to submit their CVs in electronic format. Where we do create waste we aim to recycle, where possible, and ASTUTE have a range of recycling bins for various materials, including Laser Cartridges, Cans, Paper and Plastics.
All waste is disposed of in a safe and responsible manner, and we keep up to date with Environmental legislation, helping us to understand our impact on the environment, and develop new processes. ASTUTE’s staff are trained and educated on key Environmental factors, in the context of our business environment.
This policy is particularly relevant and important to ASTUTE as we work with a number of organisations within Environmental Power Generation, Renewables and Waste.
Energy
ASTUTE appreciate the need to operate in an Energy efficient manner, especially as we work closely with a number of companies within Power Generation and Renewables. We attempt to reduce our Energy consumption in a variety of ways, including the use of flat screen monitors (as opposed to CRT), A-Rated fridges, and using an energy efficient heating system within our offices.
We look to offset our Carbon Footprint, especially when we need to fly to meet our clients, and are looking at new ways to reduce our energy consumption, such as turning down the water heating settings (Which makes a significant saving), turning off lights when not in use, and unplugging mobile phones as soon as they have finished charging.
We also actively encourage our staff to endorse Energy efficient practices out of work, such as using Energy efficient light bulbs in the home.
Transport
ASTUTE are committed to the use of vehicles with minimal negative impact on the environment. For this reason we encourage our employees to purchase Diesel cars. We intend to offer a company car scheme as the business grows, and expect that all cars offered will be highly efficient Diesel models.
A number of ASTUTE’s staff share lifts to and from work, meaning that only c 60% of our staff use a vehicle on a daily basis. We encourage car sharing and also ask that our staff share lifts when travelling to client visits, where possible.
Recruitment and Employment Confederation
ASTUTE are governed by, and receive accreditation from, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). We abide by the REC Code of Conduct and are committed to the continual review and improvement of our working practices. We are soon to undertake the REC Audit, which will highlight our strengths, weakneses, and guide how we can improve as a business. It also serves as an important quality mark for candidates and clients.
