Lemminkäinen promotes sustainable development in its businesses.
Our operations are guided by our values, vision, corporate governance and Code of Conduct, as well as national and international legislation and regulations. Our goal is to grow profitably and responsibly using a long-term, sustainable approach. Continual, open dialogue with stakeholders is a fundamental aspect of responsible growth. When bolstering our financial position, we always consider the expectations and demands of our stakeholders.
Our Code of Conduct is based on international regulations, such as the UN’s Declaration of Human Rights and the Global Compact’s ten principles, which cover human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption. We also adhere to the ILO’s employment rights and principles, the OECD’s operational guidelines for multinational companies and International Chamber of Commerce ICC recommendations. We base our operations on our values – respect and trust, constructive collaboration, and sustainable growth and development. Our vision promotes the best way to build in all operations. Our shared values support the implementation of our vision and strategy, and help us to operate with a responsible, customer-oriented approach.
Responsibility as part of the strategy
All construction has a significant impact on the community and its activities, and the environment. As a construction expert operating in many fields we encounter a variety of expectations in the area of responsibility, such as energy-efficient construction, preventing grey economy employment and conducting subcontractor audits. In order to meet these expectations, responsibility needs to be part of the strategy and a natural aspect of everyday management and operational development. Our aim is to be recognised as a proactive proponent of corporate responsibility in the construction industry.
Our President and CEO is responsible for corporate responsibility, which is led by Senior Vice President Corporate Responsibility and Risk Management. Overall responsibility for the Group’s environmental issues is held by Head of Environment and Safety, and by the heads of environment and/or quality at business sector level. Social responsibility is led by Executive Vice President, HR, work safety by Senior Vice President Corporate Responsibility and Risk Management.
We use management systems that meet the following international standards: ISO 9001:2008 (quality), ISO 14001:2004 (environment) and OHSAS 18001:2007 (occupational health and safety). Our head office in Salmisaari, Helsinki, joined the WWF’s Green Office Network in 2010.
Code of conduct
The Code of Concuct approved by the Board of Directors in 2009 forms the basis of our operating guidelines for both Lemminkäinen and our partners. The Code covers all operations and define the way we all work. The Code is supplemented by more detailed guidelines, such as representation and sponsorship principles, which we revised in 2010.
All of our personnel must familiarise themselves with and adhere to legislation, regulations and guidelines. Supervisors are responsible for providing training and ensuring compliance. In 2011, we will be launching an online training programme in competition law and Code of Conduct. According to a 2010 personnel questionnaire, 73 per cent of our employees know what to do if they spot non-compliant behaviour.
We acknowledge our employees’ freedom to organise and their right to join professional unions and make collective labour agreements. We do not employ child labour, nor do we deal with subcontractors or suppliers who do. We deal support to political parties or ideological organisations with reservation. We do not condone bribery, nor do we enter into business relationships that could lead to conflicts of interest.