Supplier Code of Conduct Policy
Dear Valued Suppliers,
Banyan Tree was founded with the core value of driving sustainable development and being a socially responsible business. A global hospitality group operating in diverse locations, Banyan Tree seeks to create long term value for multiple stakeholders and destinations using the concept of sustainability.
It is our opinion that sustainability is more than an aspiration: it is indispensable and indistinguishable from business success. Achieving sustainability requires a collaborative, participatory and integrated approach, encompassing how we do business internally and externally with our customers, partners, governments, communities and suppliers.
Our goal is to have 100% of our direct suppliers to sign the code of conduct by 2020, which requires a commitment to maximum transparency in operations.
This guidance details the ethos of Banyan Tree, and hence why we require this commitment from you. By working with us, you have the opportunity to expand sustainable business practices that benefit the societies and environment around us. Together, we can achieve more far-reaching and meaningful impacts. After all, businesses cannot succeed in societies that fail.
Scope and Expectations
For the purposes of this document “Supplier” means any company, corporation or other entity that sells, or seeks to sell goods or services to Banyan Tree. Adherence to this Code is subject to periodic review, and Banyan Tree reserve the right to request assurance of compliance by Supplier self-assessment or on-site inspections of the Supplier’s facilities.
Banyan Tree expects all Suppliers to work with honesty and integrity, and to embrace and comply with the standards listed in this Code of Conduct. Banyan Tree selects and evaluates its Suppliers by their commitment to shared values in this Code. Suppliers are required to exhibit ethical and sustainable social, environmental and governance practices by adhering to the following at all times:
Social Responsibility
- Support and respect human rights, without complicity in human rights abuses. Ensure all employees are aware of and understand these rights.
- Eliminate all forms of forced, compulsory and child labour.
- Encourage a diverse workforce and provide a workplace free from harassment, discrimination or abuse.
- Treat employees fairly with respect to wages, working hours and benefits.
- Implement occupational health and safety regulations at a high level and ensure a safe working environment conducive to good health.
Environmental Responsibility
- Apply the precautionary principle to minimise environmental impact.
- Manage energy, water and waste, including chemicals and hazardous materials, to minimise environmental and/or climate change impacts.
Remediation of Breaches
The Supplier shall inform Banyan Tree of any deviations from the Code. Deviation from this Code requires the Supplier to prepare a Corrective Action Plan in consultation with Banyan Tree. Banyan Tree is entitled to terminate its agreement with the Supplier wholly or in part, if the Supplier: 1) is unwilling or unable to implement the Corrective Action Plan measures, 2) has repeatedly breached the Code, 3) has purposefully deviated from the Code, and 4) has purposefully withheld information about a deviation.
If you wish to report questionable behaviour or a possible violation of the Supplier Code of Conduct, you are encouraged to work with your primary Banyan Tree contact in resolving your concern. If that’s not possible or appropriate, please contact Banyan Tree through at ethics@banyantree.com or (+65) 6389 1377. Banyan Tree will maintain confidentiality to the extent possible and will not tolerate any retribution or retaliation taken against any individual who has sought out advice or reported in good faith possible breaches of this Supplier Code of Conduct.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is UN Global Compact?
“The UN Global Compact is a principle-based framework for businesses, stating ten principles in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption”. The global compact aims to advance responsible business citizenship through the power of collective action.
Banyan Tree is a founding member and signatory of the UN Global Compact in Singapore. As such, we are committed to upholding the ten principles of the compact.
What are the Sustainable Development Goals?
In 2015, countries adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals which have ambitious agendas to not just reduce but eliminate poverty, as well as setting higher targets for achieving better health, education and gender equality. These goals are universal, and apply to all countries.
Q. Is this program mandatory?
Yes, suppliers we conduct business with must complete and sign the code of conduct. This applies for all existing and new suppliers.
Q. Within Banyan Tree, who is responsible for ensuring a sustainable supply chain, and that codes of conducts are complied with?
The board of directors together with BTGF are responsible for the commitment, oversight, and support of sustainable supply chains. As for Supplier Codes of Conduct, property purchasing departments are responsible for distributing, receiving, collating and archiving signed codes of conduct.
Q. Even though I am a supplier to Banyan Tree, I also have several suppliers. Must I make them sign the code of conduct as well/require their commitment?
Direct suppliers to Banyan Tree are considered as first tier suppliers. The identification and inclusion of second tier suppliers will take place from 2020-2025.
Q. How will Banyan Tree address compromises/dishonesty in committing to the code of conduct?
Self assessments will be requested from 2020, with selected inspections
Q. I am a supplier not enrolled in the program, how can I engage?
Our 2020 target is to enrol all direct (first tier) suppliers. If you are a supplier and wish to enrol, please speak to your Banyan Tree contact.
Q. What comes next after signing the code of conduct?
Suppliers can expect self assessments from 2019-2020, and should conform to external accreditations (e.g. ISO). There will also be on-site performance evaluations of selected suppliers.
Q. What will happen if a breach in the code of conduct is made?
A corrective action plan must be drawn up in consult with Banyan Tree.
For further information or enquiries, please contact
csr@banyantree.com