Business: our research codes of practice

Our business is subject to a strict policy of professionalism in how we conduct ourselves and the research we provide our clients. The MRS code of practice provides the central plank of this and we have over the years added to that:

Health and Safety

In pursuance of this Policy, the Company will take action to:

• provide adequate control of the health and safety risks arising from our work activities;
• consult with our employees on matters affecting their health and safety;
• provide and maintain safe plant and equipment;
• ensure safe handling and use of substances;
• provide information, instruction and supervision for employees;
• ensure all employees are competent to do their tasks and to give them adequate training;
• prevent accidents and cases of work related ill health; maintain safe and healthy working
  conditions and
• review and revise this policy as necessary at regular intervals.

Health and safety full policy

Equal Opportunities

• The Employer seeks to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse community at large because the Employer values the individual contribution of people irrespective of sex, pregnancy or maternity leave, age, marital status, civil partnership, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, race, colour, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin.
• All employees will be treated with dignity and respect. The Employer will use its best endeavours to provide a working environment free from unlawful discrimination, harassment or victimisation on the grounds of sex, pregnancy or maternity leave, age, marital status, civil partnership, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, race, colour, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin.
• The Employer recognises its legal obligations including those under the Race Relations Act, the Sex Discrimination Act, the Civil Partnership Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Disability Discrimination Act, the Fixed-term Employees (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations, the Part-time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations, the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations, the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations and the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations.
• The Employer undertakes to review periodically its selection criteria and procedures to maintain a system where individuals are selected, promoted and treated solely on the basis of their merits and abilities.
• The Employer will not tolerate acts which breach this policy and all instances of such behaviour or alleged behaviour will be taken seriously, fully investigated and may be subject to the disciplinary procedures of the Employer. The Employer further seeks to give all employees equal opportunity and encouragement to progress within the organisation by implementing a positive action plan.
• If an existing employee becomes disabled the Employer will make every effort to retain him or her within the workforce whenever reasonable and practicable.
• Whenever reasonably practicable to do so the Employer will install in existing premises facilities for people with disabilities. Whenever the Employer invests capital in new or refurbished premises every practicable effort will be made to provide for the needs of staff and customers with disabilities.
• The Employer undertakes to distribute and publicise this policy statement to all employees and elsewhere as from time to time appropriate.
• Any employee who believes that they may have been subjected to treatment which breaches this policy may raise the matter through the grievance procedure of the Employer.

Equal opportunities full policy

Environment

• comply with the requirements of environmental legislation and approved codes of practice
• assess the environmental impact of all current and likely future operations
• continuously seek to improve environmental performance
• reduce pollution, emissions and waste
  - recycling of packaging materials
  - minimising waste
• reduce the use of all raw materials, energy and supplies
  - efficient use of water and energy
• raise awareness, encourage participation and train employees in environmental matters and the environmental effects of their activities
• expect similar environmental standards from all suppliers
• assist customers to use products and services in an environmentally-sensitive way
• support the improvement of our local environment
• review and revise this policy as necessary at regular intervals.

Environment full policy