Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct outlines what principles we apply in business but also some basic principles that apply to our general values regarding how we act and behave in our relationships with customers, suppliers, employees, authorities etc.

In the policy, there are included the values that we base our policies and directions on, supplemented with some supporting policies. Local guidelines and policies can, where relevant, be designed based on these common guidelines, to reflect local aspects and local laws.

Business Code

  • We respect the rights of the individual, and we act in accordance with fair business, marketing, and advertising practices.
  • We respect the rule of law, conduct our business with integrity and honesty and are accountable for our actions.
  • We do not engage in illegal industrial co-operation.
  • We do not accept the offering, request, or acceptance of bribes.
  • We encourage our employees to avoid situations where loyalty to the company may come into conflict with other personal interests.
  • We are committed to open and transparent communications within the bounds of commercial confidentiality.
  • We demonstrate good faith and mutual respect in dealing with employees and their representatives in the workplace.
  • We observe local customs.
  • We respect individual’s rights to form and join organizations of their choice and to bargain collectively. We respect the right to free association and the right to organize and bargain collectively without unlawful interference.
  • We do not utilize forced labor in any type of contract relationships with employees, suppliers, customers or other business partners and shareholders.
  • We do not engage in or support the use of child labor.

Mont Blanc Group Property

  • All inventions or discoveries made by the employee in the course of her/his employment will be the property of the Company.
  • Copyright, patents, or any other immaterial rights on any work produced by the employee during the course her/his employment will belong to the Company.
  • The employee must upon termination of her/his employment deliver to the Company all property belonging to it or its customers including without limitation all documents, goods, articles, papers, and records (including memoranda, computer data, documents, notes, plans, reports, drawings, specimens, models, and samples or writing relating to the Company’s business) made, executed, or acquired by the employee during her/his employment.
  • In the view of the nature of the business undertaken by the Company, it is a condition of every employee’s employment that any information gained in the course of her/his employment must be treated in the strictest confidence. The employee must not, without the previous written consent of the Company, except in the proper performance of her/his duties, use or disclose to any unauthorized personnel or use for any personal gain, either during her/his employment or after its termination, any confidential information or trade secrets belonging to the Company. As part of this duty, the employee must not publish any literature, deliver any lectures, or make any communications to the press or other media relating to the Company’s products, customers or projects or any matter with which the Company may be concerned, unless the employee has obtained the prior written consent of the Company.
  • Every employee is responsible for protecting Mont Blanc Group’s property, equipment and tangibles against theft, misuse, loss or destruction.
  • Every employee is responsible for maintaining a safe, clean, and functioning work environment.
  • All thefts, misuse and losses must be reported to the Company via employee’s immediate manager, who is responsible for taking the appropriate action.

Authorities

  • Mont Blanc Group cooperates appropriately with authorities in the countries where we are present and responds to requests from the authorities in a timely, correct and well documented way.
  • We do not hide or disclose information from the authorities that should be reported under the laws and regulations of a nation.
  • We cooperate and behave respectfully towards representatives of the authorities if we are being audited in various areas.

Data Protection

It is our practice to hold information on employees in both manual and electronic format in accordance with Mont Blanc Group GDPR information for employees.

Employees

  • Mont Blanc Group believes that a truly ethical business environment is the foundation for building good relationships between our employees and the company. Mont Blanc Group respects and values the contribution and diversity of each employee. It is important that the employees of Mont Blanc Group are met with respect and dignity both as professionals but also as private persons.
  • We do not tolerate harassment of any kind. All employees in Mont Blanc Group should have the right to work in an environment free from harassment, threats, and discrimination. All leaders and managers are responsible for ensuring that these conditions exist.
  • Sexual harassment, abuse or unwelcome sexual advances are strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action and reprimands.
  • Mont Blanc Group recognizes that romantic relationships between employees can arise. In these situations, the following principles must guide the company’s approach:
    • It is inappropriate for a manager to start a relationship with an employee reporting to him/her. If that situation occurs, one of them must be offered a new available position in the company or leave the company.
    • A leader in a top or senior management position cannot have family members employed in the same department as him or herself.
  • We do not tolerate the use of alcohol, narcotics, or misuse of medicines during work. It is strictly forbidden to use, sell, buy, produce, or possess alcohol or narcotics on or around Mont Blanc Group premises. This includes also driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics during or in connection with any work-related occasion.
  • Employees that are suspected of having alcohol or narcotics in their blood at work may be asked to take a drug test and will be asked to leave the premises. If the employee is obviously intoxicated, the employee must be transported home by a superior.
  • We do not tolerate any violence against employees, visitors, customers, suppliers, or any others during work. Disciplinary action, which can lead to dismissal and termination of employment, will be taken against those who violate this rule.
  • Among things that are strictly forbidden are: physical harm, verbal threats, aggressive or hostile behavior, deliberate damage to the company’s property and equipment, possession of weapons in and around the Mont Blanc Group premises, sexual harassment.
  • A person employed or not, who commits acts such as the above-mentioned, will be evicted from the premises and may be reported to the police authorities.

General Rules

  • The rules of conduct have been defined as clearly as possible, so that the responsibility for their observance can be shared by each Mont Blanc Group employee.
  • If, after reading the Code of Conduct, employees have any doubts about how to act or behave, the issues should be discussed with the line manager or the HR department.
  • It is the responsibility of the local management to ensure the implementation of the Code of Conduct.
  • Additional separate policies and the Code of Conduct have been developed exclusively to define our approach. They are not intended to be legally binding, to make any representation or warranty or create or extend any guarantees or warranties. Therefore, the Code of Conduct policy or associated policies are not addressed to any party who may claim that any legal right can be derived from those.
  • All employees are obliged to continually update themselves on changes and additions in all Mont Blanc Group policies and without being requested to do so.
  • It is important that the Code of Conduct and associated policies are general and overall policies and guidelines for the total Mont Blanc Group.
  • At each Mont Blanc Group site there should be local housekeeping rules and policies that need to be followed and understood by the employees.

Environmental Practices

  • We use precautionary principles when conducting activities and actions that can have an environmental impact, meaning a proactive approach and risk evaluation to be conducted.
  • We strive to reduce the climate and environmental impact of our business by including environmental impact evaluation in our business projects as well as product development projects. In these evaluations we consider the following along with the business benefit:
    • Minimize usage and ensure secure handling of chemicals and hazardous substances
    • Minimize waste by minimizing usage of plastic packaging materials
    • Minimize transport impact
    • Valuating material choices
    • Collaborate with customers on their requirements and long-term goals towards less environmental impact

Sourcing and Purchasing

The company has a separate Supplier Code of Conduct stipulating requirements on suppliers concerning human rights, labour rights, environmental impact and anti-corruption.