Ethical Policy
graphics.coop aims to be an ethically responsible company, supporting and promoting:
- equal rights for all.
- positive social impact.
- concern for the environment.
- mutuality and democracy.
As a workers' co-operative we subscribe to the seven principles of the Co-operative Movement. In the context of this policy, principle 7 is of particular relevance:
While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of communities through policies and programs accepted by the members.
Who we work with
graphics.coop aims to source from, work for, support and form relationships with individuals and associations that support our aims, objectives and activities. This means that we actively choose to work with:
- co-operatives, social enterprises, and other employee-owned or democratically controlled businesses.
- charities, groups which campaign for progressive social change, and community groups.
- organisations which have an environmental policy and are able to demonstrate their commitment to the same. In particular, we choose to work with organisations involved promoting ecological sustainability (eg in recycling, renewable energy and energy efficiency, sustainable natural products and services and sustainable transport).
- organisations which have an equal opportunities policy and are able to demonstrate their commitment to the same.
Who we will not work with
We will not support or trade with:
- organisations whose services/products are positively harmful to health; in particular those whose main business is the manufacture or supply of alcohol or tobacco.
- representatives of countries and regimes that contravene human rights.
- other organisations that contravene human rights or exploit their workforce, especially vulnerable groups within it (including those which directly or indirectly depend on child labour).
- any branches of the military, or organisations that are involved in the sale of arms, munitions or torture equipment.
- organisations which, in our view, discriminate on the grounds of race, gender, sexuality, disability, age or religion.
- organisations which, in our view, cause environmental degradation or pollution, or contribute to global climate change.
How we work
In addition graphics.coop will:
- promote the use of ethically manufactured and distributed products to clients and specify them where possible (see our ethical sourcing policy).
- reduce the environmental impact of our operations in every way possible. This includes recycling as much of our office waste as possible; monitoring and taking steps to reduce our energy usage; and reducing the environmental impact of the transport used in the course of our business (see our environmental policy).
- purchase and promote Fairtrade goods where possible.
- promote the use of pictorial materials that reflect the diversity of our population to clients.
- charge a fair price for the work we do, and to be clear and transparent about how much a job will cost.
- be open, honest and fair with our clients, employees and suppliers.
- provide clients with advice appropriate to their immediate and future needs.
- not unfairly restrict the use to which our work is put. In particular, this means that, once work has been paid, for we will normally assign the copyright to all artwork to the client (see our Terms of Trade).
- where possible we will use, and promote the use of open source software and contribute to the open source development community.
We will provide support and training to enable staff to achieve the goals set in this policy and we will review this policy regularly to support continued improvement.
February 2011