The fact that water belongs to everyone, the recognition of the right of access for all to this essential resource, and the necessity of greater involvement by citizens / consumers in the management of local public services has meant that private operating companies have had to take on new responsibilities in their dealings with the different stakeholders in society.
TAKING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY SERIOUSLY
Positive social and ethical impacts through its business activities
VWS(UK) is committed to the statues and policies of our ultimate group company, Veolia Environnement (VE). Part of Veolia Environnement's mission is to provide positive social and ethical impacts through its business activities by providing access to essential services such as drinking water, sanitation systems to prevent disease, forms of energy to make homes more comfortable, and mass transit networks without which economic activity would be severely hampered. The company is mobilising its employees around these goals.
More specifically, in 2005, VE decided to work alongside UNICEF on a WFP project designed to improve hygiene and sanitation in schools in the nomadic regions of Niger. VE is also partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), responsible for coordinating international action to protect refugees and tackle their problems.
For further details, please go to the VE sustainable development website.
Sustainable Development Report
Commitment to meet international labour laws
VWS(UK) supports its employees and fully intends to shoulder its responsibilities concerning enforcement of the basic labour rights of its employees in all its subsidiaries, consistent with commitments expressed in its Ethics, Beliefs and Responsibility programme. In the program, VE agrees to abide by Intenrational Labour Organization standards and those included in the UN Global Compact, such as uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining; eliminate all forms of forced and compulsory labour; abolish child labour; and eliminate discrimination.
VE Human Resources works towards Diversifying Recruitment via our application selection procedures which seek to respect peoples' differences; promoting equal opportunities; integrating disabled workers; encouraging gender equality; and promoting ethnic and national diversity. VE ensures fair and consistent employee selection processes based on skills and ability in recruitment/selection.
VWS assumes the following responsibilities for our employees: offering durable employment; guaranteeing conditions of safety in the workplace; optimising work conditions; developing skills especially through the Campus Veolia Environnement in Paris; and fostering dialogue and innovation in labour relations.
The VWS UK Employee Handbook provides procedures on implementing VE goals and guidelines at the local level.
For further information please go to the VE sustainable development website.
Engagement with the community
VWS (UK) impacts the local community by hosting fundraisers for Water Aid and participating in other charity fundraising events such as Children in Need. VWS are also corporate sponsors of the Symphony Hall and Town Hall in Birmingham. This leading arts charity has developed an artistic and educational programme reaching out to people from all backgrounds who may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience the arts.
At the corporate level, VE sponsorship actions are grouped within and co-ordinated by the Veolia Environnement Corporate Foundation, which is active in initiatives in aid of communities in difficulty due to conflict or natural disaster.
For further details, please go to the VE sustainable development website.