  |
We are actively involved with:
- The British Hospitality Association (BHA), the industry trade association
- Arena, the industry networking organisation
- British Coffee Association, representative organisation for coffee manufacturers
- ACE (Association Catering Excellence), forum for food & service management
- ECA International, organisation for international human resources
- Fairtrade Foundation
- Rainforest Alliance Organisation
- Soil Association
What is CSR?
Every business, large and small has an impact on society, the economy and the environment. Companies that recognise this fact and respond by developing ways of maximising the positives while minimising the negatives, are exercising Corporate Social Responsibility. CSR incorporates the voluntary actions that a business takes, over and above its compliance with minimum legal requirements.
Why have we adopted CSR?
We have embraced a number of best practice initiatives to benefit our local community as well as the wider interests of the industry, the economy and the environment.
There are substantial benefits for First Choice Coffee:
- Raising and enhancing the profile of our company with clients, suppliers, industry, press, current and future employees, neighbours and other stakeholders
- Positioning us as a contributor of best practice within the hospitality industry, business community and therefore a good company to partner
- Providing evidence that our current working practices not only meet, but also exceed the legal requirements
- Helping to streamline business practices to make our company even more efficient
What approach have we taken?
We have looked at CSR in relation to six areas:
1. Employees
2. Marketplace
3. Communities
4. Environment
5. People/other stakeholders
6. Customers/suppliers
1) Employees
- Incentive schemes
- Fast track management experience
- Autonomy (team and individually) by empowerment
- Training & development opportunities
- Monthly training reviews for all new starters for the first 6 months
- Employer sponsored qualification training
- Sponsorship of employees supporting charities
- Encourage employee engagement through our "Tell the Top" forum
- Employee awards based on a contribution system and voted for by their peers
- Subsidised café and free parking
How do they benefit our team?
- Employees are rewarded for their hard work
- They can follow a career path within the organisation
- The team can achieve a professional qualification, career-enhanced training and other mentoring to enable them to be highly skilled, funded by First Choice Coffee
- Employees with personal difficulties are supported by the company (where appropriate)
- Those that require flexible working are enabled to do so at the discretion of the directors
- The team can see their ideas put into action and identify their contribution to the business
- Working parents are helped to manage their childcare and work life balance
- Employees feel empowered, efficient and effective
- There is a strong team spirit and a great sense of job satisfaction
- Subsidised café and free parking
What is advertised within our employment package?
- Employee bonus scheme *
- Involvement in a stakeholder pension scheme with an employer contribution after 5 years*
- Holidays that increase with length of service *
- Company vehicle, uniform and laptop (depending on the role.) *
2) Marketplace
What industry initiatives are we involved in and how do they benefit the marketplace?
We are actively involved in industry campaigns that involve our clients:
We were the first coffee business in the UK to launch and promote Fairtrade & Rainforest Alliance coffees to the foodservice industry.
What links do we have with leading industry bodies/associations?
We are actively involved with:
- The British Hospitality Association (BHA), the industry trade association
- Arena, the industry networking organisation
- British Coffee Association, representative organisation for coffee manufacturers
- ACE (Association Catering Excellence), forum for food & service management
- ECA International, organisation for international human resources
- Fairtrade Foundation
- Rainforest Alliance Organisation
- Soil Association
3) Community
What do we do to help charitable organisations and the wider needs of the community?
We look at the immediate needs of those less fortunate and act on them. We monitor local, national and world issues, and as a company, decide contributions and support on a needs basis. Examples include:
- Hospitality Action, the benevolent organisation for hospitality people
- The Kids Cookery School, charity promoting healthy eating, cookery skills & food awareness amongst children
- Sparkles, speech & language therapy group for special needs children
- Children from the coffee growing plantations of El Salvador, Guatemala & Ethiopia
- Daisy's Dream, supports bereaved children & their families
- NSPCC
- RMCC, Ronald McDonalds Children's hospital
What sponsorship do we provide?
- Leading sponsor of Caterer & Hotelkeeper Green Month – October 2007
- In recognition of the industry's support for Hospitality Action, we sponsor the Ambassadors award, which is presented to an individual who has significantly contributed to the charity
- We sponsor many industry events including The Catey's, Pub Chef awards and various customer awards ceremonies, Chefs Conferences & Salon Culinaires, Barista Competitions and Networking Conferences
- We provide prizes for fundraising for many of our customers and staff for their specific interests and activities
4) Environment
What are our key objectives?
We are a low pollution company and consider that we do very little to cause local damage. Our best practice initiatives include:
- To recycle where possible
- To promote environmentally friendly products and packaging where possible
- Buy equipment taking into account its impact on the environmental and its resource saving benefits
- Minimise the equipment we need, we do not buy items/use resource unless there is a genuine business need
- To ensure our offices are near main public transport links to allow employees to commute without using individual cars
- To ensure we advise clients/3rd party suppliers on any best practice environmental initiatives and encourage them to take positive active steps
What sponsorship do we provide?
- First Choice Coffee is environmentally conscious. A 'policies and procedure' manual highlights the systems and processes we have in place
- The senior management team manage and audit office procedure to maintain legal compliance and minimise risk
- Continual environmental improvements/risks are facilitated by the Managing Director and Operational Management
- Teams are encouraged to become involved in activities that support the wider community
How do we communicate our values internally?
- We ensure staff are communicated to through our management leadership and culture. On joining the company a thorough induction takes place with all team members ensure our values are clear from the outset
- Regular meetings are scheduled and this forum ensures; staff are kept up to date of latest news and communicate key customer developments
- Regular meetings are scheduled and this forum ensures; staff are kept up to date of latest news and communicate key customer developments
5) People/other stakeholders
What initiatives are we involved with to improve human rights?
First Choice Coffee's HR policies are designed around equal opportunities, creating a safe environment and promoting an atmosphere of mutual respect in the workplace. The company has a zero tolerance approach to bullying, aggressive or abusive behaviour and any form of discrimination.
Relationships with all customers and suppliers are based on shared benefit.
Other stakeholders
Customers are reassured by, and benefit from, corporate financial controls and prudent financial planning/management. A customer satisfaction monitor allows customers to communicate confidentially.
We provide full traceability of our work ethics, management processes and accountability and are happy to share these when requested by stakeholders.
How do we protect our people?
By following the latest law and best practice we ensure the best interests for our employees. We additionally employ an external HR specialist that keeps us fully up to date. Our people are encouraged to use other sources of information rather than just the information we provide. We listen to all issues that are bought to our attention and deal with them accordingly. No one is negatively treated if they challenge the senior managers or make any sort of complaint.
Other protection includes making sure people can get home safely after external events. We do not allow customers to bully staff or treat them badly and will follow up any complaint.
What is our health & safety policy?
A policy to ensure staff have safe and healthy working conditions is communicated via the company 'policies and procedures' handbook. Any developments are reviewed and updated on a regular basis.
How do we assist those with special needs?
Whilst First Choice Coffee does not have a specific written policy, should a prospective or current employee have special needs, we would take appropriate advice and make any suitable adjustments to their roles within reasonable financial boundaries.
What opportunities do we provide for minority groups?
First Choice Coffee do not create any specific opportunities for minority groups as all prospective and current employees are treated equally e.g. recruitment decisions are based on the best applicant for the role regardless of whether any of the applicants are from a minority group.
6) Customers/Suppliers
We encourage the spread of responsible business practice because it is about sustainable business success, which will help secure a better quality of life for all now and in the future.
We promote CSR at industry and media events.
We promote a sustainable future through our procurement planning and supply chains.