Introduction

• CRI formed in 1998 is one of the UK and Europe's quality installers and erectors within the Telecommunications industry. The company through years of dedication to the trade has developed exceptional business links thus creating a strong portfolio of clients and trusted suppliers trading across Europe.

• CRI has 40 employees who in turn provide an important service increasing the quality of life for all who believe in the 'Art' of communication.

• Although our services of building quality telecoms infrastructure is our primary aim. We do take special care of providing a sound employment atmosphere by way of not just exceptional wages alone. But provide industry wide training at all costs such as first aid and tower rescue, rope access, supplier methods training i.e. Termination course. Our staff is also provided with modern office training, finance, I.T. or any training they require to the good of the company.

• We also treat our employees with sensitivity and care by way of allowing flexible working practices and family friendly policies to suit the individual. Whatever our employees needs are. Within reason we will cater for them because as we are a service. We believe our biggest single asset is our workforce.

Our services fall into a number of categories:

• personal communication rigging;

• towers, masts and structures erection and dismantling;

• industry training;

• telecom product design and implementation.

Our principle client portfolio consists of:

• T-Mobile, 02,Orange, 3,Vodafone, Airwave;

• Gallifords, Medlock, Mansell, Stappard Howes, Mivan, CDS, Skanska;

• Commhoist, Infratect, Alifabs, KDC, F&L, NEDL.

The core purpose of CRI is "Working together to create a better, greater service of communications media".

• Our aim is to be professional at all times with all our business links

• Our goal is to be 100% quality minded

• Our goal is to be 100% committed to Health and Safety and continued training.

CRI are not by any stretch of the imagination a global conglomerate, however we do undertake the same approach of a conscientious global concern by appreciating corporate values towards social responsibilities. This means we seek to improve the impact companies have on society. Therefore we take seriously our relationship with our stakeholders and respect that trading ethically is fundamental to the way we work, not just within our own operations but also our interactions with our wider value chain. CRI look towards promoting equality and social welfare reform for all by way of sponsorship and apprentiship's. From the outset, CRI treat employees with respect and care for their welfare.

CRI Managers, suppliers and Directors having completed a gruelling 874 mile cycle ride from Lands End to John O'Groats in aid of Yorkshire Cancer Research and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. The anticipated sum raised should total around £5000.

[ Back to the top of the page ]

The Importance of Business Ethics

Ethics concern an individual's moral judgements about right and wrong. Decisions taken within the organisation may be made by the individual or group is influenced by the cultural beliefs of the company. The decision to behave ethically is a morale one; employees must decide what they think is the right course of action. This may involve rejecting the route that would lead to the biggest short-term profits.

• CRI started as a group of like-minded friends setting up in business to make a living thus making moderate profits.

• The company is nicely placed in a niche market and became one of the UK's preferred installers thus grew organically to the size it is now.

• In the trading year 2003, CRI turned over £2 million but only netted under 8% profit after tax and adjustments. CRI still continue to make moderate profits due to the fact they pay their employees the best rates within the trade.

• CRI are trading now to continue to make moderate profits taking us into the long term. We are not interested in biggest short-term profits or a 'here today gone tomorrow' attitude.

Ethical behaviour and social corporate social responsibility can bring significant benefits to a business. For example, they may:

• attract customers to the firms products, thereby boosting sales and profits;

• make employees want to stay with the business, reduce labour turnover and therefore increase productivity;

• attract more employees wanting to work for the business, reduce recruitment costs and enable the company to attract the most talented employees;

• attract investors thereby protect the business from stagnating or being taken over.

Unethical behaviour or lack of corporate responsibility, by comparison, may damage a firm's reputation and make it less appealing to stakeholders. Profits fall as a result and probably go out of business. Along with good commercial governance, ethical behaviour is an integral part of everything CRI does. Treating shareholders fairly is seen as an essential part of the company's success. A creative and well-managed corporate and social responsibility program is in the best interest of all our stakeholders, shareholders, employees, clients, suppliers and other business partners working together. Our company's corporate values are achieved by our 'Business credo' that makes clear the behaviour it seeks from employees.

[ Back to the top of the page ]

Ethics and Employment Policies

When recruiting staff, CRI is eager to encourage diversity in the workplace. We therefore encourage applications from a wide range of people. Greater diversity in the workplace encourages different ways of looking at and solving problems and possibly leads to creativity. To achieve such diversity, the company provides equal opportunities for its recruits regardless of gender, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, race or religion.

Vacancies are normally advertised in the local press and website. CRI encourage career progression to develop staff personally and gain experience and skills. Other factors that reflect our social responsibility approach include:

• consultation of staff and riggers in the decision making process. The company values discussion so that employees understand the nature of the problem, feel part of the process of finding a solution and identify the outcome;

• offering appropriate levels of remuneration and rewards, CRI regularly monitor and benchmark our pay scales in order to retain staff and attract new candidates. Staff in the near future are also going to be encouraged to invest financially into the company by way of a share options scheme;

• development and training is offered so employees are better able to carry out their tasks and are more competent within the workplace;

• a healthy and safe working environment is paramount so as to conform to our clients CDM obligations but more importantly, to minimise the risk of injury or accident to zero tolerance therefore keeping all our staff fit and healthy to report to work. A worker in a sick bed exponentially is a drain not just on the company¹s resources but the workers family and if hospitalised, doctors and nurses. We do not operate in a negligible environment avoiding the former at all costs;

• the prevention of any form of harassment in the workplace.

[ Back to the top of the page ]

Ethics at Work

CRI do not manufacture any products what so ever. We do obviously use materials that are delivered directly to our stores. All the materials we use are manufactured to EU standards and any service we use such as waste disposal. CRI always use registered refuse companies and skip hire. We monitor all new suppliers and will not trade with those who do not provide certification of conformance regarding standards and EU-UK registration.

One criteria, for example maybe the environment and our pre-qualifying questionnaire allows the supplier to express whether they carry out audits or have an environmental policy, (see: CRI Environmental Policy end of chapter). We recognise our environmental responsibility and the need to care for our workforce, local communities and all those who may be affected by our activities. For example, our environment may include:

• reducing the impact of sites on the local fauna and surroundings;

• disposal of scrap copper and steel with registered scrap dealers;

• minimising waste;

• looking to improve our energy efficiency Vehicle usage is an obvious source of pollution. Wherever possible, we try to minimise the use of company vehicles to reduce carbon emissions. Our work is described as transient therefore we encourage and pay our staff to travel less miles and house themselves near to the job in a hotel or lodging's of some form. More minor ways of being more efficient, yet none the less important is the use of more energy efficient bulbs in the office, reducing and recycling paper.

Dealing with Customers and Suppliers

Our corporate social responsibility agenda now reflects obvious consumer fears regarding harmful emissions to the atmosphere from radio waves. We can assure all end line users we always follow the latest guidelines issued from ICNIRP, the governing body for radio transmission. We take due care of all our employees and the public by ensuring nobody is ever going to be over exposed by radiating antennae or other transmitting equipment.

The company also believes it is important to be open about activities so it's stakeholders can measure its success. This information is readily available on our website regarding our progress in:

• community initiatives and employee volunteering;

• sponsorship and charity donations;

• environmental impact on society developing greater understanding of radio waves. We feel we must express all our finances are dealt by a Bank with stringent banking codes of practice and withhold ethics and policies that reflect our organisation. You can check out their Corporate Governance and ethics at: www.rbs.co.uk/group_information/corporate_resposibility

[ Back to the top of the page ]

Environment Policy

• CRI Ltd has throughout its history endeavoured to maintain a philosophy of a caring employer in terms of its obligations to employees, clients and the community at large.

• This policy statement aims to formalise procedures and methods of which CRI Ltd will fulfil its obligations to the environment.

• It will be the company policy that all developments and use of land are sympathetic to the environment paying close attention to the disposal and treatment of hazardous or toxic materials.

• If at all possible use will be made of material and products, which originate from sources, which can be shown to be sustainable, or can be re-cycled and which have been established as environmentally sensitive.

• Particular consideration will be given to reduction in emission of pollutants, education in the level of noise and dirt and the careful use of pesticides, herbicides and toxic treatments to ensure that health hazards and environmental impacts are minimised.

• Whenever possible CRI Ltd will promote an environmental aware approach to the management of the company, in particular the management of energy resources, and the resources in land and materials. This will apply to all premises, sites and company assets. The company will promote energy efficiency and sound environmental sensitive practices.

• The involvement of all staff is encouraged by communication, training and the operation of environmental management systems, which is working towards the requirements of ISO 14001. These policy objectives will be achieved by the employment of caring people, promoting a sense of responsibility toward the environment.

• All Managers and Supervisors will have overall responsibility for ensuring the implementation of this policy wherever and whenever possible.

• CRI Ltd complies with environmental legislation, statutory requirements and other agreed conditions of operation. The aim is to prevent damage and pollution. Care is taken to reserve the flora, fauna and cultural heritage of sensitive sites.

CRI Ltd will:

• value the contribution that every member of staff can make in improving our resource efficiency to reduce both operating costs and environmental effects;

• encourages staff, clients and suppliers to consider the use of electronic methods of communications to reduce the impact of travel and paper consumption;

• adopts good practice to minimise waste of materials and energy resources such as gas, oil, electricity and vehicle fuel;

• considers and evaluates the use of alternative fuels;

• aims to select products which have less negative impact on the environment;

• pursues the reuse and recycling of materials in order to minimise disposal;

• support our clients in improving environmental performance on and off site;

• encourages our suppliers to develop effective environmental policies and comply with relevant legislation.

[ Back to the top of the page ]