Mission Statement & Code of Conduct
Introduction
Our mission statement describes which values we share and how we want to work together – today and in the future. It gives us a clear target image that needs to be achieved in order to secure our company’s long-term success. Based on the central idea “WE are Vesselsens”, we can only achieve this goal together. In particular, our values such as personal responsibility, openness and transparency as well as legally compliant and ethically correct behavior play an important role here.
For the first time, this Code of Conduct brings together our important basic rules and principles in one document, which are already binding on us today and will continue to be binding on us in the future. It provides a framework for orientation and applies equally to each of us at every level of the company – to the shareholders, to the managers and to each individual employee. It sets standards for ourselves, and at the same time it is a promise to the outside world for responsible behaviour towards business partners and the public, but also in our dealings with each other within the company. Together, we are responsible for the reputation of our company. The misconduct of individuals can cause enormous damage to all of us. Therefore, we ask you, dear colleagues, to read this Code of Conduct carefully and use it together with us as a guideline for our daily conduct.
What we stand for
The employees of Vesselsens GmbH have jointly developed a corporate mission statement. The company’s mission statement expresses what our company stands for today and in the future:
We are Vesselsens GmbH – a high-performance start-up.
Competence, diversity and networking are the foundations of our performance and make us leaders in our markets. We create added value for our customers, employees and owners.
We break new ground and develop innovative medical devices and services for sustainable and life-saving and life-improving use.
We all set ourselves the highest standards.
We act entrepreneurially, confidently, courageously and performance-oriented – with the aim of being the best in our field of business. The commitment and skills of each individual are the basis for this. The development of our employees is particularly important to us. Health and safety at work is a top priority.
We live by common values.
We act in the overall interest of our company. Openness and mutual appreciation characterize our cooperation. We build on strong values: reliability and honesty, credibility and integrity. Compliance with all legal requirements is a matter of course for us. We take responsibility for society.
This document explains the essential principles and rules for our actions and sets out our expectations of ourselves, also vis-à-vis our business partners and stakeholders.
Behavior in the business environment
Compliance with the law
For us, compliance with laws and regulations is an essential basic principle of economically responsible action. We comply with applicable legal laws and obligations at all times, even if this involves short-term economic disadvantages or difficulties for the company or individuals. If national laws contain more restrictive regulations than those applicable to Vesselsens GmbH, national law takes precedence.
Avoidance of conflicts of interest
At Vesselsens GmbH, business decisions are made solely in the best interests of the company. Conflicts of interest with private interests or other economic or other activities, including those of relatives or other related persons or organizations, are structurally excluded. If they do occur, they must be dissolved in compliance with the law. The prerequisite for this is the transparent disclosure of the conflict.
Fair competition
Vesselsens GmbH stands for technological competence in the field of medical sensor technology, innovative strength, customer orientation and motivated, responsible employees. This is the basis for our high reputation and the sustainable economic success of the company.
Corruption and antitrust violations threaten these guarantors of success and will not be tolerated (zero tolerance). Kickbacks or cartel agreements are not a means for us to win a contract. We would rather give up business and achieve internal goals than break the law.
Violations will not be tolerated and will result in sanctions against the persons concerned. All board members and managing directors, all executives and all other employees must be aware of the extraordinary risks that a corruption or cartel case can mean for Vesselsens GmbH, but also for them personally.
Money Laundering Prevention
Vesselsens GmbH complies with its legal obligations to prevent money laundering and does not participate in money laundering activities. In case of doubt, every employee is required to have unusual financial transactions, in particular those involving cash, which may give rise to a suspicion of money laundering, checked by the usual legal and business financial or legal provisions.
Behaviour towards colleagues and employees
Equal treatment and non-discrimination
A culture of equal opportunities, mutual trust and mutual respect is very important to us. We promote equal opportunities and prevent discrimination in the recruitment of employees and in the promotion or provision of education and training. We treat all employees equally, regardless of gender, age, skin colour, culture, ethnic origin, sexual identity and orientation, disability, health disability, religious affiliation or belief.
Human and labour rights
We respect internationally recognized human rights and support their observance. We strictly reject any form of forced and child labour. We recognise the right of all employees to form trade unions and workers’ representatives on a democratic basis within the framework of national regulations. The right to fair remuneration is recognised for all employees. Remuneration and other benefits are at least in line with the relevant national and local legal standards or the level of the national economic sectors/sectors and regions.
Cooperation with employee representatives
For Vesselsens GmbH, a trusting and close cooperation with the employee representatives is a decisive component and cornerstone of the company policy. The basis of mutual trust and cooperative cooperation is an open and constructive dialogue characterized by mutual respect.
Occupational health and safety
In addition to the quality of our products and economic success, the safety and health of our employees are equally important corporate goals.
Occupational health and safety are an integral part of all operational processes and are included in technical, economic and social considerations from the very beginning.
Each of our employees promotes health and safety in their working environment and adheres to occupational health and safety regulations. Every manager is obliged to instruct and support his employees in the exercise of this responsibility.
Employees of subcontractors on behalf of Vesselsens GmbH are subject to the same safety standards as our employees. This will be taken into account in the cooperation.
Behaviour within society
Sustainable environmental and climate protection
Sustainable environmental and climate protection as well as resource efficiency are important corporate goals for us. Both in the development of new products and services and in the operation of production facilities, we always make sure that all resulting impacts on the environment and climate are kept as low as possible and that our products make a positive contribution to environmental and climate protection for our customers. Every employee has a responsibility to treat natural resources sparingly and to contribute to the protection of the environment and climate through their individual behaviour.
We see ourselves as an active member of society and are therefore involved in various ways. We make donations and other forms of social commitment solely in the interest of the company.
We do not make any financial contributions, in particular donations and sponsorship measures, to political parties in Germany and abroad, party-affiliated or party-like organizations, individual elected officials or to candidates for political office.
Political Advocacy
Insofar as we are politically engaged, we represent political interests centrally, openly and transparently. We comply with the legal requirements for lobbying and avoid unfair influence on politics and legislation at all costs. We comply with the EU Code of Conduct.
Appearance and communication in public
We respect the right to freedom of expression as well as the protection of personal rights and privacy. Every employee should be aware that he or she can also be perceived as a part and representative of Vesselsens GmbH in the private sector and is therefore required to protect the company’s reputation and reputation through its behaviour and appearance in public, especially towards the media. In the case of private expressions of opinion, we take care not to place the respective function or activity in Vesselsens GmbH in connection with the private statement.
Missions
Together with their superiors, our employees are responsible for ensuring that the type and scope of business trips are always proportionate to the respective purpose of the trip and that they are planned and carried out economically, taking into account time and cost aspects.
Handling of information
Coverage
Vesselsens GmbH is built on strong values: reliability and honesty, credibility and integrity. Thus, we attach great importance to open and truthful reporting and communication about the company’s business operations to investors, employees, customers, business partners, the public in general and government institutions. Every employee ensures that both internal and external reports, records and other documents of the Group are in accordance with the applicable legal rules and standards and thus always complete and correct and are carried out in a timely and systemic manner.
Confidential company information/ inside information
We take the necessary steps to appropriately protect confidential information and business records from access and inspection by uninvolved colleagues and other third parties. Employees of the company who possess specific information about circumstances that are not publicly known, the public disclosure of which is likely to have a significant impact on the value and position of Vesselsens GmbH, may not trade in or pass on their shares on the basis of the employee participation program or with shares of Vesselsens GmbH on the basis of such inside information, regardless of whether the disclosure of the inside information intentionally or with gross disregard for due care.
Data protection and information security
The protection of personal data, in particular of employees, customers and suppliers, is of particular importance to Vesselsens GbmH. No personal data may be collected or processed without legal admissibility or consent from the data subject.
Protection of company property
We use the company’s property and resources properly and gently, protecting it from loss, theft or misuse. The intellectual property of our company represents a competitive advantage for Vesselsens GmbH and therefore an asset worthy of protection, which we defend against any unauthorized access by third parties. In all other respects, the Employee Inventions Act applies.
We use tangible and intangible property of the Company solely for corporate purposes and not for personal purposes, except as expressly permitted.
Implementation and contact persons
The management of Vesselsens GmbH actively promotes the communication of the corporate policies and agreements on which the Code of Conduct is based. The individual managers are responsible for their implementation and ensure that no employee is disadvantaged by adhering to the guidelines or agreements.
Our managers have a special role model function and are particularly measured against the Code of Conduct in their actions. They are the first point of contact for questions regarding the understanding of the regulations and ensure that all employees know and understand the Code of Conduct. As part of their management duties, they prevent unacceptable behavior or take appropriate measures to prevent violations of rules in their area of responsibility. Trusting and good cooperation between employees and managers is reflected in honest and open information and mutual support.
For further questions about the Code of Conduct, the central e-mail address info@vesselsens.com is also available to all employees and third parties (customers, suppliers, etc.).
All information will be treated as strictly confidential.