Sustainability and Fair Working Practices
Sustainability
SMG recognises its responsibility to work responsibly and sustainably to positively contribute to countering climate change and is committed to minimising the impact of its activities on the environment towards achieving net zero.
Our commitment to Net Zero
SMG is a proud member of the SME Climate Hub, a global initiative that empowers small to medium sized companies to take climate action and build more resilient businesses. Through the SME Climate Hub, we commit to lowering our impact on the environment through authentic action, halving our emissions by 2030. In making the commitment, we have joined the United Nations Race to Zero campaign.
To this end, our Environmental Management System (EMS), policies and business practices are focused on:
- Reducing/minimising our carbon footprint by reducing our travel-related emissions and energy consumption
- Managing and minimising waste; reusing and recycling by minimising paper consumption, recycling waste paper, recycling office consumables, and buying second hand office equipment
- Ensuring sustainable procurement by working in partnership with our suppliers and contractors to make more sustainable choices and minimise the environmental and social impacts of our supply chain.
Fair working practices
SMG is also fully committed to fair working practices including the seven Fair Work First criteria for workers. We recognise the benefits of a positive workforce approach to individual staff, associates and to the JRS consortium. An approach that nurtures high performance and the development of all people is essential if we are to remain viable and competitive. We believe fair practices and equal opportunities are also key components of good management, as well as being socially desirable and morally right.
As such, we are wholly committed to proactively developing and supporting our workforce to be the best they can be - both individually and as a team. We also only work with sub-contractors, that share and demonstrate our commitment to fair working practices.
Our commitment to and adoption of Fair Work First for all our workers is reflected in our Good Business Charter accreditation and sign-up to the Scottish Business Pledge, and our:
- Investment in skills and training
- No inappropriate use of zero-hours contracts
- Action to tackle the gender pay gap and create a more diverse, inclusive workplace
- Genuine workforce engagement such as trade union recognition
- Fair pay for Workers
- Flexible and family friendly working practices for all workers
- No firing and rehiring