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Our Code of Conduct

Our Code of Conduct

Dear colleague!

A message from our CEO

Our Code of Conduct is the ethical standard of the Bremnes Seashore group, guiding how we should conduct ourselves in our everyday work. The standard helps us to ensure that we make good and right choices that align with our values: Development, credibility, and joy of work.
Linda Aase Low

For me, people are the most critical resource in our business; in this context, employeeship is an important concept. It means that managers and employees take joint responsibility for the company, the interaction, and the working environment. In this way, we create a solid and good culture contributing to further development and value creation.

This is an exciting time for our group. Demands and expectations are increasing, not only from ourselves but also from the rest of society. We must make the right choices and demonstrate sound business practices so that we contribute to securing our reputation and that of the industry, future operations, and, consequently, our own jobs.

We will all undergo training in the Code of Conduct, and the ethical standard can also be used as a reference in our everyday work. Remember that if you are unsure or your gut feeling causes concern, ask questions and discuss the dilemma with someone. All of us, whether managers or employees, board members, owners, employee representatives, safety delegates, hired personnel or consultants, are to set a good example. What we do today must stand tomorrow and for several years to come.

In addition to my expectations for us working in the group, I also have high expectations that all our suppliers and business partners will demonstrate good ethical business practices. We have developed a separate Code of Conduct for business partners that describes these expectations.

We must treat everyone respectfully and contribute to an open and inclusive work environment. Diversity shall be a strength for us, and everyone shall have equal opportunities!

I wish everyone the best of luck with their excellent work – every day. Together, we find the good solutions!

Signatur Linda Aase

Linda L. Aase • CEO, Bremnes Seashore Group

What underpins our Code of Conduct?

The Bremnes Seashore Group’s Code of Conduct is based on its strategic framework, which describes the organisation’s guiding principles and values, among other things. By basing our day-to-day work on the values development, credibility and joy of work , we strengthen the Group’s corporate culture.

Our group's strategic framework

Vision – Where are we heading?

We set the standard for quality salmon

Strategy – How do we get there?

Greater smolt capacity, differentiated transfer, ASC, increased processing capacity

Leadership principles – How do we ensure we live up to our values?

BE ACCESSIBLE

SPEAK OUT

LOOK UP

BUILD TEAMS

GIVE CREDIT WHERE IT IS DUE

Focus – What must we do?

Goals – How do we reach them?

Sustainability

Green aquaculture

Fish welfare

Sustainable production

Responsible supply chain

Care for people and society

Value creation, fish farming

Post-smolt strategy

Increased survival

Flexible harvesting times

Preferred harvesting plant

Substantial harvesting capacity

Strong cost culture

Holistic planning

Contractual loyalty

Digitalisation

Added value

Increase processing

More uniform access to raw materials

High average weights

Guiding principles – What defines our success?

Profitability

Environment

Quality

People

Values – What do we have to live up to?

Development

Credibility

Joy of work

In addition to our strategic framework, the Group must comply with national laws and regulations, our quality standards and internal procedures. Our choices, decisions and behaviour shall always accord with our Code of Conduct. As loyal employees, we keep our promises.

Who is the Code of Conduct for?

Those of us who act on behalf of the Bremnes Seashore Group always comply with the Code of Conduct. This applies to all managers and employees, contract workers, consultants and third parties associated with our business operations – irrespective of where in the world we are located.

We expect that the Bremnes Seashore Group’s part-owned companies, suppliers and business partners also live up to our ethical standards.

  • I familiarize myself with our code of conduct and procedures that apply to my area of work
  • I ask my manager or compliance manager if I am uncertain about something or suspect a breach of code of conduct
  • I familiarize myself with our code of conduct and procedures that apply to my area of work
  • I ask my manager or compliance manager if I am uncertain about something or suspect a breach of code of conduct

Good employeeship

Our responsibility

Employees’ responsibility

We all have a responsibility to familiarise ourselves with the ethical guidelines set out in this document. Since they cannot describe the correct course of action in every possible situation, we must use common sense and good judgement in line with the Code of Conduct’s provisions.

If we are uncertain about anything, we ask for advice. Should we become aware of a breach or a potential breach of the Group’s Code of Conduct or applicable laws or regulations, we must report the matter through the Seashore Group’s whistleblowing channel as soon as possible.

We all have a responsibility to contribute to good collegiality. This means taking responsibility for and contributing to the work of the department and its working environment, and not leaving everything up to the manager.

Managers’ responsibility

We must always lead by example, which means that the Group’s ethical guidelines and values are integrated into our personal behaviour and business management practices. We must create a climate of openness and trust in our departments which makes it safe to raise questions and concerns about ethical issues and compliance with our Code of Conduct.

We lead in accordance with the principle be accessible, speak out, look up, build teams and give credit where it is due in order to create a positive social climate in the department and foster good collegiality.

As managers, we must ensure that every employee in our department has completed annual training on our Code of Conduct.

The Group’s responsibility 

Responsible business practice is the very foundation of our operations. It is a responsibility we take extremely seriously. The Seashore Group shall conduct itself with integrity and to a high ethical standard.

The Bremnes Seashore Group is responsible for ensuring all employees receive training in the Code of Conduct and comply with it, and that employees have an opportunity to engage in ethical reflection on their own work.

We must treat all whistleblowing reports in a thorough, confidential and impartial manner. Information regarding the case will be disclosed only to those investigating it.

The Bremnes Seashore Group aims to create a safe and diverse workplace for all employees, and make itself attractive to all stakeholders.

  • Ensuring that I have received training in code of conduct
  • Ensuring that I have received training in code of conduct
  • Good employeeship
  • We are all role models

Definitions

Fraud: Fraud means obtaining for one’s self or others an illegitimate benefit for one’s self or others by either (i) tricking someone into doing something or failing to do something that causes them to incur a loss or risk of loss, or (ii) wrongfully influencing the outcome of an automated data processing event. Fraud can, for example, include manipulation of computer systems or financial accounts (or other information).

Code of Conduct (ethical guidelines): A set of rules that stipulates norms, frameworks and responsibility for ethical and responsible actions, which everyone who works at, for or on behalf of the company must comply with.

Compliance: Compliance means acting in accordance with the ethical guidelines set out in the Code of Conduct. The work we do in this area is intended to safeguard compliance with relevant legislation, national and international regulations as well as the Group’s internal guidelines. 

Discrimination: Treating someone less favourably than other people, e.g. unfair or unreasonable difference in treatment on the grounds of gender, age, ethnicity, origin, nationality, religion, disability, trade union membership, political affiliation or sexual orientation.

Ethics: The moral principles that govern our behaviour and choices.

Business partner: Everyone with whom the Seashore Group does business, such as suppliers, customers, distributors, agents, intermediaries, retailers, consultants, contractors and lobbyists.

Money laundering: A variety of different actions intended to conceal the origins of illegally obtained income, typically by means of transactions involving financial institutions or legitimate businesses.

Conflict of interest: When personal interests obstruct, or appear to obstruct, the interests of the Seashore Group.

Stakeholders: Organisations or individuals that may affect or be affected by a case or situation, e.g. shareholders, management, employees, society, customers, competitors, suppliers and public authorities.

Confidential information: Information that is exempt from public disclosure and sensitive for the Seashore Group, our employees and/or our business partners.

Corruption: When someone gives, receives, accepts, is offered or demands an improper benefit in connection with a position, job or elected office. Typically, the purpose of such a benefit is to influence a decision.

Lobbyist: A personwho works to influence (lobby) others on behalf of themselves, an organisation or special interest group.

Diversity: The practice of including or involving people from a range of different backgrounds, without discrimination. In our Code of Conduct, we emphasis multicultural diversity as well as diversity relating to gender, sexual orientation and functional ability.

Collegiality: This means that employees take joint responsibility with managers, and the relationship they have with their duties, co-workers and employer. To achieve results and a cohesive workplace environment, employees must themselves step up day-to-day and not passively leave everything up to the manager.

Intermediary: An intermediary is a company or person who acts on behalf of the Seashore Group. This includes consultants, contractors, agents, brokers, distributors, etc.

Human rights: These are the fundamental rights that everyone has, irrespective of gender, age, religion, sexual preference, nationality or country of residence. After World War II, human rights were enshrined in international agreements that the majority of countries agreed to abide by.

Public official: A person who is appointed or elected to a legislative, administrative or judicial office, a person who works in the civil service or a public body or company (such as state-owned companies), or who represents an international public organisation.

Risk: The potential or possibility for unwanted incidents and losses.

Due diligence: A process and method for collecting and analysing information about potential and existing business partners, e.g. in connection with new business relationships or contracts.

Sponsorship: A form of indirect advertising whereby companies, organisation or public institutions provide financial support in order to link their brand name or operation to something positive.

Harassment: Any form of unwanted behaviour towards another person that creates a hostile, frightening, humiliating, demeaning or abusive working environment, and thereby affects the victim’s dignity or mental health.

Improper benefit: Anything that the recipient has an interest in or may derive benefit from, which is offered or received in return for the improper performance of a relevant function or activity. This may be a financial benefit, such as payments in cash or into a bank account, cars, free travel, hospitality, work performed or shares in companies. It may also be a non-financial benefit with no direct material value, such as honour and respect, promises of future contracts or membership of exclusive clubs or associations.

Whistleblowing: When an employee reports a censurable matter at their own workplace or in their employer’s business operations. The whistleblowing provisions in the Norwegian Working Environment Act state that employees who report censurable conditions are protected against reprisals.

Vår etiske standard

Etterleving

Our Code of Conduct

Compliance