CSR Policy
As a responsible retailer, owned beneficially by our employees (Partners), we believe that the long-term future of the Partnership is best served by respecting the interests of all our stakeholders: Partners, customers, suppliers and the wider community. We look actively for opportunities to improve the environment and to contribute to the wellbeing of the communities in which we trade. Our CSR policy sets out the principles we follow and the programmes we have developed to focus on the areas where we have significant impact or influence.
Principles
Shared responsibility
Social and environmental responsibility involves everyone. In our own case, the John Lewis Partnership's unique structure means that Partners share the responsibilities of ownership as well as its rewards. We aim to develop and implement social and environmental policies which fit in with our Partners everyday activities and responsibilities.
Honesty and accountability
Democratic ownership means sharing profit, knowledge and power. We will communicate our environmental policies, objectives and performance openly and honestly to our Partners and to others with an interest in our activities, including customers and suppliers. We will encourage them to communicate with us and will seek their views.
Sustainable progress
We are committed to improving our performance. We will take into account technical developments, changing scientific evidence, costs and customer concerns and expectations in the development and implementation of all new social and environmental policies and procedures. We will monitor our performance, set objectives for improvements and report our progress.
Demonstrable compliance
As a minimum, we will meet or exceed all relevant legislation. Where no legislation exists we will seek to develop and implement our own appropriate standards.
Programmes
Environment
We will take all reasonable steps to manage our operations so as to minimise our environmental impact and to promote good environmental practice. We will set and follow high standards in food production, quality and safety. We will continue to promote responsible and sustainable methods of agriculture, animal husbandry and biodiversity; and review regularly our business practices and performance to identify how we can improve our energy efficiency, minimise packaging and reduce water usage, waste disposal and air emissions.
Relationships
We will conduct our business relationships with integrity and courtesy, and honour our trading commitments. Our aim is to build long-term relationships with our suppliers and provide support for small, local, specialist producers. We are committed to trading fairly with all our suppliers, and will communicate our responsible sourcing expectations to them in the areas of health, safety and worker welfare, sustainable and profitable agriculture, high animal welfare standards, biodiversity and good environmental practice.
Communities
We will build relationships with our customers, suppliers and the local communities were part of by encouraging our Partners to consider the needs of others and involve themselves in public service. We will obtain a wide range of views on our social and environmental policies and performance.
Partners
We will respect our Partners and encourage their development and training. We will promote equality as differences in responsibilities permit and consider the interests of our Partners including their welfare, health and safety. We aim to empower our Partners and we will recognise individual contributions and reward our Partners fairly. Our ultimate aim is the happiness of our members through their worthwhile and satisfying employment in a successful business.
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