In terms of what Corporate Social Responsibility means to HAZ UK, this is how we impact and engage with employees, the community, suppliers and the environment. HAZ UK undertakes significant activities in these areas.
HAZ UK is an inclusive organisation committed to fairness, equality of opportunity and diversity in all its employment practices, policies and procedures. We strive to provide a dynamic and open workplace where the rights, needs and unique contributions of every member of our diverse teams are respected and valued. In return, we expect our colleagues to contribute to our company culture by embodying our common values and provide our customers with a best in class experience. We are committed to ensuring we have a healthy and educated workforce whose views are listened to and respected. We nurture ambition and ensure that all employees can develop relevant skills and knowledge to enrich their contribution and carve their own career path.
We are committed to building where possible relationships with the wider community including national and local concerns. At HAZ UK we encourage charitable giving and for our staff to engage in this process.
We are committed to ensure that all our suppliers have good business ethics and they meet and exceed the standards required. We aim to develop relationships built on shared trust and communal responsibility.
Through our Supply Chain Policy, we require all suppliers to adhere to Human Rights principles, including:
- Ensuring employment is freely chosen
- Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are respected
- Working conditions are safe and hygienic
- Child labour is never used
- Living wages are paid
- Working hours are not excessive
- No discrimination is practised
- No harsh or inhumane treatment is allowed
We strive to conduct our business in a responsible, sustainable manner in order to protect the environment. We have committed to ensure that we reduce our environmental impact and continue to improve our environmental performance as an integral part of our business strategy and operating methods.
Name: Mr Stephen Harris Position: Managing Director
Signature: steve harris Date: 31/10/2023
1.HAZ UK are Jewellery Manufacturers and distributors of Jewellery and Moissanite stones. This policy confirms HAZ UK’s commitment to respect human rights, avoid contributing to the finance of conflict and comply with all relevant UN sanctions, resolutions and laws.
2. HAZ UK commit to proving, through independent third-party verification, that we:
a. respect human rights according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Labour Organization Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work;
b. do not engage in or tolerate bribery, corruption, money laundering or finance of terrorism;
c. support transparency of government payments and rights-compatible security forces in the extractives industry;
d. do not provide direct or indirect support to illegal armed groups;
e. enable stakeholders to voice concerns about the jewellery supply chain; and
f. are implementing the OECD five-step framework as a management process for risk-based due diligence for responsible supply chains of minerals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas.
3. We also commit to using our influence to prevent abuses by others.. Concerns regarding our supply chain can be raised by contacting steve@hazuk.com
4. Regarding serious abuses associated with the extraction, transport or trade of minerals and precious metals: We will neither tolerate nor profit from, contribute to, assist or facilitate the commission of:
a. torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment;
b. forced or compulsory labour;
c. the worst forms of child labour;
d. human rights violations and abuses; or
e. war crimes, violations of international humanitarian law, crimes against humanity or genocide.
5. We will immediately stop engaging with upstream suppliers if we find a reasonable risk that they are committing abuses described in paragraph 4 or are sourcing from, or linked to, any party committing these abuses.
6. Regarding direct or indirect support to non-state armed groups: We will not tolerate direct or indirect support to non-state armed groups, including, but not limited to, procuring (diamonds or)precious metals from, making payments to, or otherwise helping or equipping non-state armed groups or their affiliates who illegally: a. control mine sites, transportation routes, points where (diamonds or) precious metals are traded and upstream actors in the supply chain; or b. tax or extort money, (or diamonds) or precious metals at mine sites, along transportation routes or at points where (diamonds or) precious metals are traded, or from intermediaries, export companies or international traders.
7. We will immediately stop engaging with upstream suppliers if we find a reasonable risk that they are sourcing from, or are linked to, any party providing direct or indirect support to non-state armed groups as described in paragraph 6.
8. Regarding public or private security forces: We affirm that the role of public or private security forces is to provide security to workers, facilities, equipment and property in accordance with the rule of law, including law that guarantees human rights. We will not provide direct or indirect support to public or private security forces that commit abuses described in paragraph 4, or that act illegally as described in paragraph 6.
9. Regarding bribery and fraudulent misrepresentation of the origin of minerals or precious metals: We will not offer, promise, give or demand bribes, and will resist the solicitation of bribes, to conceal or disguise the origin of minerals or precious metals, or to misrepresent taxes, fees and royalties paid to governments for the purposes of extraction, trade, handling, transport and export of minerals and precious metals.
10. Regarding money laundering: We will support and contribute to efforts to eliminate money laundering where we identify a reasonable risk resulting from, or connected to, the extraction, trade, handling, transport or export of minerals or precious metals.
Steve Harris
Managing Director
September 2023
HAZ UK are manufacturers and distributors of jewellery and Moissanite stones. This policy confirms our commitment to respect the fundamental rights and freedoms in accordance with The Human Rights Act 1998. Our support for these fundamental principles is reflected in our policies and practices regarding employees, suppliers, customers and the areas in which we operate.
Our Employees
We believe that our employees should be treated with respect and dignity and work in an environment that is free from harassment and unlawful discrimination. Our commitment to respect human rights is manifested in our Employee Handbook and HR Policies and procedures, specifically:
- We will not employ workers under the legal minimum age for work as stipulated by the Employment Act 2008.
- We will not make use of any forced labour or debt-bondage labour in accordance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
- We will not discriminate against any person based on their protected characteristics and will uphold Article 14 of the Human Rights Act 1998 in respect of protection from discrimination.
- Any disciplinary matter will be dealt with through formal procedures detailed in the Employee Handbook.
- Working time directives will be adhered to as per the Working Time Regulations 1998 with opt-out clauses publicised to staff.
- Wages paid for standard working hours will meet or exceed national minimum wage or living wage levels as appropriate.
- All employees should be able to work in an environment that is free from discrimination, victimisation, harassment, bullying and that all employees should be treated fairly and with dignity.
- There is a clear policy for dealing with grievances detailed in the Employee Handbook.
The Employee Handbook is periodically reviewed and amended where appropriate to ensure that it continues to reflect best practice and legal requirements. An external consultancy has been engaged to ensure the Company is updated as to any new legislation. Employees are expected to uphold these standards and are encouraged, via regular meetings, to raise issues and report suspected violations of applicable laws, regulations and policies.
Our Suppliers
We strive to promote adherence to Human Rights principles detailed above throughout our supply chain via our Supply Chain Policy. We see our relationships with our suppliers as an opportunity to share best practice and through open communication, to promote mutual, continual learning and improvement with respect to human rights.
Our Customers
We are continually working to build and maintain relationships with organisations that share our commitment to upholding and implementing the fundamental principles of Human Rights and strive to promote best practice within our sphere of influence. We openly welcome inspection and auditing processes to ensure we continue to develop a robust and transparent Human Rights Policy.
Name: Mr Stephen Harris Position: Managing Director
Signature: steve harris Date: 05/12/2023
HAZ UK are manufacturers and distributors of jewellery and Moissanite stones
We are located in the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter, and employ 3 personnel.
HAZ UK are a Member of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC).
The RJC is a standards-setting organisation that has been established to advance responsible ethical, human rights, social and environmental practices throughout the diamond, gold and platinum group metals jewellery supply chain.
The RJC has developed a benchmark standard for the jewellery supply chain and credible mechanisms for verifying responsible business practices through third party auditing.
As a Member, we commit to operating our business in accordance with the RJC Code of Practices. We commit to integrating ethical, human rights, social and environmental considerations into our day-to-day operations, business planning activities and decision-making processes.
Signed/endorsed:
Steve Harris
Date of effect: 26th January 2024
