Introduction.
The Ethical Code of SKAT Transport P.S.A. has been created to systematise the customs and procedures that the TSL industry deals with in daily work.
In Our company, corporate social responsibility is an integral part of Our business culture and reflects the values that are of the highest priority at SKAT Transport.
At SKAT Transport P.S.A., there are a number of internal policies and procedures in place to protect the interests of SKAT Transport, its employees, and business partners, and above all to promote a safe and friendly workplace. When selecting Our suppliers and partners, we want them to be guided by similar values that have inspired SKAT Transport since its inception. We are aware of the existing legal and cultural differences; nevertheless, we assume that there are minimum ethical requirements that constitute a common denominator for every Entrepreneur in the TSL industry, which must be strictly observed.
At the same time, SKAT Transport P.S.A. declares that it is an organisation that makes every effort to operate in accordance with applicable laws, both national and international, as well as basic ethical standards of conduct.
The Management Board of SKAT Transport P.S.A.
1. Compliance with laws, rules, and applicable regulations.
One of the foundations of SKAT Transport since its inception has been acting in accordance with the spirit of the law. Human rights and workers' rights are of fundamental importance to Us. We place great emphasis on the awareness of employees and management regarding respect for and compliance with commonly applicable laws. We do not require every employee to know detailed legal regulations; however, we invest in basic knowledge for employees in this regard, and in case of any doubts, they have the opportunity to seek advice from their supervisors and the Legal Department.
2. Friendly and safe work environment.
As a responsible entrepreneur, we strive to ensure that Our employees have a safe and friendly work environment. Every employee starting work within the structures of SKAT Transport is obliged to undergo training on safe and hygienic working conditions and applicable procedures.
Moreover, every employee is obligated to report situations where there has been or could have been a violation of safe and hygienic working conditions. It is strictly forbidden to come to work in a state that raises the suspicion of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs or psychoactive substances.
In addition to the broadly defined activities to ensure a safe work environment, SKAT Transport aspires to the title of a friendly employer. In this regard, we regularly undertake initiatives engaging our employees' children in the internal life of the company through various competitions or events that activate employees. Furthermore, we understand the important role of being a parent, and therefore we support parenting by guaranteeing Our employees a return to their previous position after maternity or paternity leave. At the same time, we strictly adhere to the obligations imposed on employers by applicable legal solutions, thus providing Our employees with the certainty that their privileges are strictly respected.
3. Charitable initiatives.
One of the key values of SKAT Transport is sharing goodness. We engage in both top-down charitable activities, readily supporting those in need, as well as supporting our employees' charitable initiatives. For years at SKAT Transport, we have been donating to orphanages, public benefit organisations, and we eagerly sponsor various events for children. Additionally, we engage in our employees' ideas and fundraising, applying the principle of double goodness, meaning that SKAT Transport will double the donation made by employees relative to the funds raised by them.
Furthermore, we aim to enhance employee engagement in the company's life by actively supporting their initiatives and projects. Therefore, every employee of SKAT Transport can feel free to propose participating in a social project, as the Management Board of SKAT will willingly support such initiatives, organizing charitable events or educational campaigns.
4. Supporting development.
At SKAT Transport, we believe that supporting development is one of the main foundations upon which the company's success is built. Therefore, we are eager to invest in the development of Our employees.
A key asset of Our company is the long-standing proprietary project "SKATway", within which we invest in the theoretical and practical training of participants, thereby showcasing the characteristics of the freight forwarder's profession within SKAT Transport. The target group is individuals without experience in the TSL industry.
Moreover, we invest in the development of our long-term employees, offering them not only a range of available training to develop their skills but also ensuring every employee the opportunity for growth within the company's internal structures in the form of promotions and regular career development in Our company.
5. Conducting transparent activities based on communication.
As multiple-time winners of the friendly employer title in the TSL industry, we know that making mistakes is human. Our operations are based on communication, which is why we regularly engage in discussions with Our employees, continually striving to improve mutual relations. The outcome resulting in the dismissal of an employee is for Us an unfortunate last resort, which is only carried out when all other forms of improvement in the quality of work performed by the employee have not brought the expected results.
6. Conflict of interest.
The policy of SKAT Transport prohibits the possibility of a conflict of interest occurring or existing. Therefore, we emphasize the transparency of relationships within the company. We undertake extensive measures to eliminate instances of conflict of interest. By conflict of interest, we understand situations in which private interests in any way—directly or indirectly—lead or may lead to conflict with the interests of the company.
Engaging in actions or conducting business that may negatively impact the quality of work performed by an employee and their objectivity in performing job duties is considered a conflict of interest. A conflict of interest always occurs in the case of simultaneously working within SKAT Transport and for a competing company that provides services in the TSL industry.
7. Honesty and competitiveness.
SKAT Transport operates ethically while adhering to all forms of undertaking honest actions.
We increase Our competitiveness and market position by achieving increasingly better results while avoiding any illegal business practices. We do not misuse information obtained about Our Partners, suppliers, or competing companies in a manner inconsistent with their intended use.
Each of Our employees is obliged to maintain the confidentiality of the information obtained. Additionally, it is prohibited to acquire any information through actions taken contrary to the law and through actions that involve manipulation.
8. Environmental protection.
At SKAT Transport, we understand how important it is to care for the environment; therefore, we regularly conduct awareness-raising activities for Our employees, engaging them in company initiatives aimed at environmental protection.
In addition to internal activities, we undertake extensive external actions that express Our commitment to environmental protection. Therefore, we regularly replace Our vehicle fleet to reduce emissions. Within Our fleet, each vehicle meets the highest standards of EURO emissions.
9. Human rights.
We understand the importance of respecting the individuality of each of Our employees; therefore, we absolutely ensure and support equal opportunities and equal treatment of Our employees regardless of skin colour, race, nationality, origin, disability, political or religious beliefs, as well as gender or age. Human rights are fundamental to Us; thus, in the course of Our operations, we place particular emphasis on ensuring that every employee feels their rights are respected and that they feel safe within the employment structure at SKAT Transport.
The above values also guide Us in the recruitment process, within which we apply the so-called "equal opportunity policy", focusing on the employee's competencies rather than their origin, race, or political beliefs.
At SKAT Transport, no one should be employed against their will, and even more so, no one should be forced to work.
SKAT Transport supports dialogues between employees and employers, evidenced by the introduction and maintenance of the stay-interview process for years, within which cyclical conversations with employees regarding their job satisfaction and opportunities to express dissatisfaction, desired changes, and their future expectations towards the employer, occur.
We also emphasize the lack of acceptance for any forms of psychological violence, harassment, sexual misconduct, and discrimination.
10. Compensation.
SKAT Transport P.S.A. employs a remuneration policy that considers the competencies of the employee with an individual approach. Salaries at SKAT Transport are paid in accordance with applicable laws, taking into account overtime and benefits owed to the employee. Thus, every employee at SKAT Transport receives a salary that allows them to maintain a satisfactory quality of life. Additionally, SKAT Transport is happy to reward employees for their individual achievements.
At SKAT Transport, it is prohibited to deduct from an employee's salary directly or indirectly any amounts without their consent or in violation of applicable laws. Moreover, every employee is regularly informed by responsible parties in a comprehensible manner about the components affecting the amount of their salary.
At SKAT Transport, an employee's remuneration absolutely meets or exceeds the legal standards defined by the minimum wage, and it should never fall below a level sufficient to maintain a living in the country of employment. Therefore, it is standard that every employee at SKAT Transport receives at least the minimum wage, adjusted to the applicable regulations in this regard.
11. Working time.
At SKAT Transport P.S.A., we strictly observe the statutory working hours of each employee and the minimum period of rest due to the employee. We place emphasis on adhering to the rights and guarantees specified in the Labour Code and specific regulations.
12. Health and safety.
In Our company, we emphasize responsibility for the health and safety of employees. In this regard, we undertake actions aimed at minimizing the risk of endangering the safety of any employee in Our company while ensuring the best possible precautionary measures.
This is reflected not only in regular safety training and first aid training but also in providing each employee with a basic medical package so that every employee has access to immediate medical assistance.
13. Child labour and forced labour.
At SKAT Transport, we strongly condemn the practices of child labour and forced labour. We clearly emphasise that any child labour is prohibited, indicating that no person of school age or under the age of 18 should and is employed by Our company. We declare that SKAT Transport does not force anyone to work against their will.
14. Bullying.
SKAT Transport condemns all actions that take the form of bullying practices. Therefore, we have created an internal anti-bullying policy outlining the procedure in the event that an employee of Our company observes any form of bullying.
15. Discrimination and harassment.
In SKAT Transport, employee competencies take precedence. Therefore, we are pleased when a diversity of employees exists in Our company. We do not accept any form of negative comments or behaviours of a racial or national nature that directly impact the individual employee. In this regard, we regularly carry out awareness-raising actions for employees, emphasising the importance of accepting each individual's uniqueness.
Every employee can be assured that Our company guarantees equal opportunities at all levels of employment. We reiterate that all employees, regardless of gender, worldview, beliefs, sexual orientation, or nationality, are treated equally, with the same right to compensation appropriate to their position, scope of duties, and responsibility.
At the same time, we condemn any manifestations of sexual misconduct. An important factor for Our firm is to create a friendly work environment for employees, as we want Our employees to feel safe and comfortable. Therefore, any manifestations of sexual conduct are not tolerated by Us.
16. Anti-corruption actions.
At SKAT Transport, we adhere to a zero-tolerance policy for any forms of corruption and bribery. Our employees adhere to applicable anti-corruption regulations, which is manifested by a strict ban on offering, promising, or delivering any forms of corruption or bribery, particularly any form of offering financial benefits to illegally influence the decision-making processes of the Recipient, with the intention of jeopardising the Recipient's objectivity in making business decisions.
At the same time, Our employees have been provided with guidelines prohibiting the acceptance of any forms of corruption or bribery, including the expectation of such benefits in exchange for providing a favourable business decision for the other party. Detailed guidelines and rules have been specified in a separate policy of SKAT Transport P.S.A. relating to anti-corruption measures and setting forth the rules for accepting gifts. Whenever an employee has any concerns or suspicions regarding whether a particular behaviour meets the criteria of corrupt conduct, they are obligated to report such an incident to their immediate supervisor.
17. Preventing money laundering.
At SKAT Transport, we operate in accordance with processes aimed at preventing money laundering, by which we understand funds obtained from criminal activity, tax evasion, corruption, fraud, and therefore, carrying out activities serving to conceal illegally obtained funds to make them appear to come from a legal source. Accordingly, to the best of our ability, we verify the origin of funds, cooperating with reputable Suppliers and Business Partners. Financial transactions at SKAT Transport are carried out by highly qualified personnel, in accordance with the law.
If any employee of SKAT Transport perceives any action related to a transaction to be suspicious or inappropriate, even in the slightest degree, or expresses a violation of widely applicable laws, they are obliged to contact their direct supervisor or the Financial Department Manager.
Additionally, involvement in money laundering or any other activities aimed at or facilitating money laundering is strictly prohibited.
18. Gifts.
A common business practice aimed at maintaining business relationships is hospitality and mutual gift-giving on occasions such as holidays or anniversaries. However, at SKAT Transport, we are mindful that some exchanges of this kind may be seen as bribery, and therefore, may be viewed by third parties as an attempt to influence decision-making processes. Consequently, SKAT Transport has implemented a gift policy, which consists of guidelines regarding the giving and receiving of gifts or dealing with gifts that exceed a specified value.