Supplier Standards of Conduct
Cambridge Consultants work with our Suppliers and other business partners to bring added value to our clients and expect our Suppliers and other business partners to comply fully with laws. It is critical to Cambridge Consultants that Suppliers, and their employees, maintain the highest ethical standards, adhere to all applicable laws, in particular, anti-corruption laws, and avoid even the perception of impropriety or conflict of interest. Indeed, our standards can be met only with your cooperation and commitment. You agree to abide by the terms of our Supplier Standards of Conduct, to monitor and audit your compliance with these Standards and acknowledge that compliance with these Standards is required to maintain your status as a Supplier. You are responsible for ensuring that any subcontractors, agents or other third parties that you engage in your work for Cambridge Consultants, where permitted by your agreement, will act consistently with these Standards.
“Supplier” refers to any business, company, corporation, person or other entity that sells, or seeks to sell, any services or goods to Cambridge Consultants, including the Supplier’s employees, agents, and other representatives.
Our Standards
1. Human Rights
Suppliers will respect human rights in dealing with their stakeholders at large (i.e. employees, clients, suppliers, shareholders, and communities). Suppliers will support the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
2. Compliance with applicable international, national, and local laws
We recognize that local customs, traditions, and practices may differ, but expect as a minimum that our Suppliers comply with local, national and international applicable laws, including (but not limited to) all anti-corruption, competition, export control, environmental, health and safety, data protection and labour laws and to monitor compliance with applicable laws. We expect Suppliers to support International Labour Organisation core conventions on labour standards.
3. Forced or compulsory labour
Suppliers must not use forced, bonded, or compulsory labour, and employees must be free to leave their employment after reasonable notice. Employees must not be required to lodge deposits, money, or papers with their employer unless required by applicable law.
4. Child labour
Suppliers will not use child labour.
The term “child” refers to any person under the age of 15 (or 14 where the law of the country permits), or under the age for completing compulsory education, or under the minimum age for employment in the country, whichever is greatest. Suppliers may participate in workplace apprenticeship programs, which comply with all laws and regulations. Workers under the age of 18 shall not perform work that is likely to jeopardize the health or safety of young workers.
5. Equality, diversity, and inclusion
Suppliers will not discriminate in hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, and termination of employment or retirement on grounds of social, cultural, ethnic or national origins, religious or other beliefs, caste, gender, marital status, pregnancy status, sexual orientation, disability, age, and trade union membership. Suppliers should promote diversity and inclusion.
6. Working hours, employee wellbeing and development
Suppliers will comply with all applicable wage and working hours laws and regulations. Workers will not be required to work more than the lesser of the legally permitted maximum number of hours a week or 60 hours a week, including overtime, except in extraordinary circumstances. Workers will be allowed at least 1 day off per 7-day week. Workers will be paid at least the minimum wage and compensated for overtime hours where required by applicable laws and regulations. Where applicable, Suppliers should give consideration to promoting work/life balance, training, and personal development of employees.
7. Respect for employees and dignity
Suppliers will treat employees with respect and dignity and will not use physical or verbal abuse or other harassment and any threats or other forms of intimidation are prohibited.
8. Freedom of association
Suppliers will respect the right of their employees to join (or refrain from joining) workers organizations, including trade unions, and entering into collective bargaining, as permitted by law.
9. Health and Safety
Suppliers will provide a healthy and safe working environment for all employees, in accordance with international standards and laws. This includes making sure that adequate facilities, training and access to safety information are provided. All applicable health and safety policies, procedures and guidelines must be adhered to. Where Suppliers work on Cambridge Consultants premises, or on behalf of Cambridge Consultants, for example in the use, handling, transport or disposal of hazardous materials, or the disposal of electronic equipment, they must confirm that they understand their obligations. They must also confirm that they have management processes and controls in place, and where applicable, agree to be fully responsible for any liability resulting from their actions.
10. Confidentiality and Intellectual Property
Suppliers and their contractors and employees will maintain confidentiality with regard to all Cambridge Consultants confidential and business sensitive information (usually under a Non- Disclosure Agreement) they have access to, in accordance with applicable laws or applicable contractual engagement. Supplier will protect all intellectual property belonging to Cambridge Consultants, our customers, other Suppliers and individuals.
11. Anti-Corruption and gifts
Suppliers must, understand their obligation to maintain the highest standards of integrity in all business interactions worldwide. Any and all forms of corruption, such as bribery, extortion or embezzlement, are strictly prohibited. Cambridge Consultants defines bribery or a bribe as “offering anything at any time, to anyone, in order to obtain an undue advantage. ” The offering of “anything” can take many forms, from money (whether in the form of cash, wire transfer or otherwise) to benefits in-kind, such as entertainment, travel, upgrade to first class airfares, side trips to holiday resorts, sponsorship and employment of relatives or friends. The “undue advantage” can take many forms such as a preferential treatment, the conclusion of a contract, the disclosure of confidential information, a customs exemption, or a waiver of penalty following a tax investigation and generally influencing an individual in the exercise of his or her duties.
12. Unfair business practices
Suppliers will comply with all applicable competition laws and in particular not fix prices, rig bids, allocate customers or markets or exchange current, recent, or future pricing information with your competitors.
13. Conflicts of Interest
Suppliers must be free from any conflicts of interest. A conflict of interest describes any circumstance that could cast doubt on your ability to act with total objectivity with regard to Cambridge Consultants’ interests. Conflict of interest situations may arise in many ways. If you feel that you have an actual or potential conflict with Cambridge Consultants or any of its employees, you must disclose such conflict to Cambridge Consultants management.
14. Insider Trading
If you are aware of material, non-public information relating to Cambridge Consultants, its business, its customers or any other business partner, you must not buy or sell securities or engage in any other action to take advantage of that information, including not passing that information onto others.
15. Data protection & privacy of personal information
Suppliers will protect personal data and comply with all data protection laws. Supplier will secure Cambridge Consultants data against unauthorized access or use.
16. Environmental impacts
We expect our Suppliers to conduct their relationship with us, and with our clients, partners and other Suppliers, in compliance with the Cambridge Consultants Environmental Policy.