Corporate Responsibility Policy

ABIS Training & Consulting - ABIS NV - provides high-tech IT services to large and medium-sized companies. We offer these services in the form of training and consulting.

General

ABIS believes in business ethics and corporate social responsibility; ethical business practice is a foregone conclusion for us. In our actions we constantly strive for more integrity, environmental awareness and respect for others. We implicitly implement (inter) national rules and standards regarding human and labour rights, environmental protection, ethical business practices and fair business practices.

It is our policy to conduct all our activities in an honest and ethical manner; with an eye for and respect for all stakeholders involved: employees, customers and suppliers, shareholders and the social context and environment in which we operate.

  • Scope of application.

This policy applies to all our employees at all job levels, including the members of the Board of Directors, senior managers, instructors and internal consultants, account managers, as well as all other personnel (whether permanent employees, interim employees or employees for a specific service).

This policy is also applied to all third-party consultants, contractors, or any other person who provides a service to ABIS.

ABIS also strives to inform all its suppliers and its customers of this policy, and encourages them to support and subscribe to this policy

  • Legislation.

ABIS endorses all laws, rules and regulations, in all countries in which it operates, both in letter and in spirit. We confirm the fundamental principle of good business practice that local laws and customs must be observed. ABIS also takes into account the evolving sense of standards in society; a realization that usually anticipates formal legislation.

  • Notification.

Employees are encouraged to report every case or suspicion of breaches of this policy statement as early as possible. Employees will not suffer any damage as a result of reporting genuine suspicions, even if they later prove to be wrong.

  • Follow-up.

The effectiveness of the Corporate Responsibility policy is regularly reviewed by the Board of Directors. The managing director submits an internal report to the Board of Directors once a year on the result of the internal control systems.

  • With a sense of reality.

ABIS is aware of the fact that given the nature of its services, and especially its size, it has only a limited impact on its environment. Nevertheless, we think it is important to work out the basic elements of a responsible policy of modern enterprise.

ABIS endorses the guidelines for corporate social responsibility of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the ILO (International Labour Organization).

People and society

  • Employees

ABIS pursues an equal opportunities policy vis-à-vis its employees and firmly rejects any form of discrimination (based on, for example, race, colour, gender, nationality, religion, ethnic origin or other distinguishing characteristics). Recruitment, promotion and remuneration are based on intrinsic qualities such as knowledge and skills, development potential, added value, responsibilities and commitment.

ABIS wants to build a lasting working relationship with its employees, based on mutual respect and loyalty. ABIS strives for a healthy balance between the professional commitment and the personal development of its employees in the broad sense of the word.

To realise this:

  1. ABIS offers a competitive remuneration package that delivers the performance and contribution to the operating results in a fair manner - including variable remuneration. We strive to ensure that this reward is implemented in accordance with the wishes of its employees where possible;
  2. ABIS strives for a balanced relationship between work and private life and takes the necessary initiatives in this regard with regard to working time arrangements, mobility and social services. As a caring employer, ABIS has an (additional) insurance for its employees and takes due account of the employee even when problem situations arise;
  3. ABIS provides career guidance and training initiatives for its employees, within the limits of its possibilities;
  4. ABIS offers its employees an attractive, healthy and safe working environment with the necessary facilities to perform their work efficiently.

ABIS fully respects and endorses the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations; ABIS respects and subscribes to the universal norms with regard to work that are elaborated in treaties of the international labour organization of the United Nations, and of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

ABIS respects all local laws and regulations (including collective terms and conditions of employment) in the area of allowances and remunerations, working hours, sick leave, ...; and demands the same from its partners and subcontractors.

ABIS does not hire people under the minimum age that applies according to national legislation. Children under the age of 16 do not work for ABIS. ABIS does not use forced labour, slave labour, involuntary criminal labour, and/or other forms of involuntary labour, both according to its own business operations and in the chain.

  • Society

ABIS is aware of the social role that a company has within society - and the associated responsibilities. Where possible, ABIS therefore takes the necessary initiatives to contribute to the prosperity and well-being of its environment.

People and environment

ABIS is aware that, given its services and size, it has only a limited direct impact on the environment; but also realizes that rational use of natural resources reduces the burden on the environment and therefore belongs to everyone's responsibility. ABIS ensures that the devices it uses are as environmentally friendly and rational as possible; and fully complies with the relevant environmental legislation.

ABIS encourages the same attitude among its staff and suppliers.

Specific elaboration - areas of application:

  1. Energy

    2. ABIS strives to reduce its overall energy consumption; it seeks a realistic balance between energy efficiency and comfort of its employees. Business premises leased by ABIS are tested in advance for environmental efficiency (certificates).

    ABIS explicitly opts for optimum climate control in its rented rooms and buildings.

  2. Water consumption

    3. Water consumption is limited where possible.

  3. Transport - CO2 emissions

    4. ABIS attempts to limit its global mobility load where possible.

    • We promote public transport and bicycle use for commuting; our locations are optimally located in the vicinity of public transport (train, bus).
    • For both domestic and foreign service relocations, a balance is sought between time efficiency and client orientation. The use of public transportation is encouraged.
  4. Paper consumption

    5. ABIS pays attention to the use of paper-efficient procedures and equipment - "paperless office" - for invoicing purposes, for example. The use of paper made from sustainably produced wood fibres is encouraged.

    ABIS always proposes to its clients to make course books and handouts available in electronic form.

  5. Waste

ABIS attempts to limit the environmental impact of waste by optimizing waste collection (e.g. separate waste collection if supported by local public collection services) with a view to maximizing recycling levels and minimizing disposal to landfills.

For specific types of waste specific to its services, ABIS has agreements with third parties for collection and processing: empty cartridges from toners and printers, computer equipment, ...

Ethics of doing business

ABIS pursues a policy of zero tolerance with regard to bribery and corruption and strives to act in a professional, fair and honest manner in all our activities. We strive to implement and enforce effective systems in all our business processes to combat bribery.

  1. Bribes.

    2. A bribe is a financial or other benefit offered or given:

    • to someone to persuade them or reward them for improperly performing their work, or;
    • to any official, with the intention of influencing the official in the performance of his / her duties.

    Under no circumstances will ABIS and its employees provide bribes to any party in order to obtain a commercial, contractual, regulatory or personal benefit for ABIS or its partners. Under no circumstances does ABIS and its employees accept bribes from customers, suppliers, politicians, advisers and representatives from government, individuals or companies in order to receive preferential treatment.

  2. Promotional gifts and representation costs.

    3. Our vision on ethical business does not exclude that gifts or gifts to our customers and suppliers are possible, but limited in the form of:

    • normal and appropriate hospitality (e.g. invitation for lunch)
    • giving a gift on the occasion of a specific event (e.g. New Year)

    ABIS never offers promotional gifts and entertainment with the intention of persuading a person to act improperly or to influence an official in the performance of his duties.

  3. Facilitating payments and bribes.

    4. ABIS never gives, and receives facilitating payments or bribes of any type. Facilitating payments usually involve small, unofficial payments for obtaining or speeding up a routine task of a civil servant. Bribes usually concern payments for obtaining a business favour or a business benefit. All employees must avoid any activity that could lead to a facilitating payment or a bribe being given or received by ABIS.

  4. Donations

    5. ABIS makes no donations of any kind to political parties. ABIS makes no donations to charity organizations with the aim of achieving a commercial advantage.

  5. Accountancy.

    6. ABIS has an accounting system and extensive administrative systems, as well as the necessary internal controls, which substantiate the business reasons for each payment to a third party.

    All expenses related to entertainment, promotional gifts or representation expenses incurred for a third party must be approved in advance and must be submitted in accordance with our expense policy. The specific reason for the expenditure must be accurately described. All invoices and other documents relating to relations with third parties such as customers, suppliers and business contacts must be accurately and exhaustively prepared and kept up-to-date. No accounts may be kept outside of accounting to facilitate or hide improper payments.

  6. Confidentiality clause and Insider Information.

    7. All information obtained by ABIS employees during the performance of their assigned activities is treated confidentially and only used within the context of the performance of these activities. This information is not made available to third parties under any circumstances.

    The information obtained is never used directly or indirectly to obtain personal benefits.

  7. Privacy law.

ABIS strictly complies with the applicable privacy legislation. All personal and other information obtained from the customer within the framework of the normal execution of tasks assigned to us is treated strictly confidential. See Privacy Policy.