The Code of Conduct provides a set of expectations explaining how Alba conducts business and interacts with external bodies
The Code of Conduct sets out expectations in five key areas: valuing people; safety, health and environment; good citizenship and social responsibility; ethical business; and, information and confidentiality
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) demonstrated its dedication to pursue and strengthen sound corporate governance, transparency, and industry best practise by launching the “Code of Conduct” booklet during a ceremony held on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at Alba.
The “Code of Conduct” booklet was launched at a ceremony attended by Alba’s Chief Executive, Laurent Schmitt, and other company officials.
The Code of Conduct outlines the ethical parameters that govern the organisation, sets rules in the way business is conducted, provides guidelines in interactions with customers, suppliers and other external bodies, enhances transparency, and ensures organisational behaviour remains in line with the values of the company.
Alba’s Chief Internal Auditor and Risk Officer, Bryan Harris led the team responsible for drafting the code of conduct, which was developed with input from every Alba department, representing a diverse cross-section of nationalities, genders, religions, ages and organisational levels.
“This Code of Conduct is a message to ourselves and to the outside world about what we stand for. It is in line with the highest global benchmarks, and on par with the best codes of conduct of leading international companies. Yet it was made 100% in Alba – it brought in the best ingredients from around the world, refined them in the furnace of the smelter, and cast the product in the cast-house,” Mahmood Hashim Al Kooheji Chairman Alba said.
“Having the Code is not enough. To build a reputation as a company of integrity, and as a leader in ethics and transparency, our words need to be backed up by a change in our own personal behavior, and in our culture as a company.
“At Alba, we believe in upholding the highest standards of ethical and professional behaviour in everything we do. This Code of Conduct outlines the behaviour expected of each of us in relation to our employment. It enshrines our shared beliefs in the basic principles of honesty, fairness, integrity and respect for people,” Alba’s Chief Executive, Laurent Schmit, added.
“We must all promote trust, openness, teamwork, professionalism and pride in what we do. We will conduct our business in a safe, ethical, professional, environmentally sustainable and socially responsible manner. This code provides each of us with a set of basic guidelines designed to prevent actions that may reflect badly on the employee or on the organisation.”
Bryan Harris explained that the Code of Conduct sets out expectations in five key areas: valuing people; safety, health and environment; good citizenship and social responsibility; ethical business; and, information and confidentiality.
The launch also included team discussions led by managers, quizzes, skits portraying ethical dilemmas, and a signing ceremony for employees to indicate their compliance with the Code.
Along with the Code of Conduct, Alba has also instituted measures that allow reporting of any violation without fear of retaliation. In addition to addressing their concerns to their respective managers, employees can also speak with the Chief Internal Auditor or Legal Manager or use the independent confidential helpline anytime of the day or night. As a listed company, these steps are necessary to strengthen increased transparency and sound corporate governance within the organisation.