Blend Ethical Responsibility Statement
Introduction At Blend, our unwavering commitment to conducting business with integrity and respect for ethical standards is a cornerstone of our operations. We understand the paramount importance of responsible business practices and are dedicated to fostering an environment where fairness, transparency, and accountability are not just valued but upheld. While our business falls below the legal thresholds for mandatory reporting, it is our duty to communicate our principles and values to our clients, partners, and the communities we serve.
1. Embracing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, Blend aligns its operations with this internationally recognised framework. These principles, centring on three core pillars, guide our commitment to ethical business practices and human rights.
Protect: Governments are responsible for protecting human rights, and companies are encouraged to support this by fostering ethical practices.
Respect: Businesses should respect human rights by identifying and preventing potential abuses in their operations and supply chains.
Remedy: When rights are violated, there should be access to remedy, where businesses address or correct any harm caused by their practices.
Blend is committed to respecting human rights across our operations conducting our business in a manner that avoids any adverse impact on individuals or communities. We apply these principles in our relationships with clients, suppliers, and partners, ensuring that our practices align with international standards for ethical responsibility.
2. Ethical Sourcing and Supplier Relations: At Blend, we are unwavering in our commitment to working with suppliers who share our values of integrity and respect for human rights. We actively encourage our suppliers to follow fair labour practices, provide safe working environments, and uphold ethical treatment across all levels of their supply chain. This commitment is a cornerstone of our business, and we strive to ensure that it is reflected in every partnership we form.
3. Fair Pay and Timely Payments: At Blend, we are dedicated to fair pay for all suppliers and partners. We treat our stakeholders with the respect they deserve, striving to pay suppliers promptly and in accordance with government policies. We recognise that fair payment practices are crucial in promoting financial stability and mutual respect throughout our supply chain, and we are committed to upholding these standards.
4. Transparency in Operations: At Blend, we are committed to operating with transparency. We strive to make ethical considerations central to our decision-making and to communicate openly with our stakeholders about our practices. We conduct regular reviews of our operations and supply chain to ensure our values are reflected in the partnerships we build.
5. Respect for Human Rights: In line with the UNGPs, Blend opposes any form of forced, compulsory, or exploitative labour and expects our partners and suppliers to uphold these standards as well.
6. Accountability and Feedback Mechanisms: We encourage all team members, clients, and partners to report any concerns related to unethical practices, knowing they will be addressed responsibly and confidentially. Blend is committed to continuous improvement and seeks feedback on strengthening our commitment to ethical practices. Feedback can be shared via our contact form located on our website.
7. Environmental Responsibility: As part of our broader ethical commitment, we also recognise the importance of environmental stewardship. We strive to minimise our ecological footprint and consider sustainability in our operational choices where possible.
8. Governance and Accountability Structure: The leadership team at Blend oversees our commitment to ethical practices. Specific roles within our procurement and management teams are tasked with monitoring supplier standards and ensuring adherence to this policy. We conduct informal reviews to verify that our practices align with our values and remain transparent to our stakeholders.
9. Anti-Bribery and Corruption: At Blend, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, aligning with the UK Bribery Act 2010 and all applicable laws related to anti-bribery and corruption. We maintain a strict zero-tolerance policy on any form of bribery, whether direct or indirect, and we expect our employees, suppliers, and partners to adhere to the same standards. We actively monitor our operations to prevent and detect any unethical conduct, ensuring that our commitment to fairness and transparency is upheld across all business relationships. This approach reinforces our dedication to ethical responsibility, setting a foundation of trust with our stakeholders.
10. Voluntary Compliance and Future Readiness: While we are not legally required to publish a Modern Slavery Statement, we align our operations with best practices for ethical business, including the UN Guiding Principles. Should our operational scope or client requirements evolve, we are prepared to enhance our policies and procedures to maintain alignment with responsible business practices.
11. Commitment to Stakeholder Engagement: We value our relationships with clients, suppliers, and partners and believe that ethical practices strengthen these connections. We work collaboratively with stakeholders to address and uphold ethical standards, ensuring a shared commitment to responsible business.
12. Continuous Improvement and Non-Compliance Approach: At Blend, we are dedicated to continuously improving our ethical practices. If a supplier or partner does not meet the standards outlined in this statement, we engage in constructive dialogue to resolve issues. Should compliance not improve, we reserve the right to reconsider partnerships to uphold our ethical commitments. This approach ensures that we maintain the highest ethical standards in all our business relationships.
Further Resources on the UN Guiding Principles: For more information on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, please refer to the official UN resource here.