Governance
To ensure that JLA operates as efficiently and safely as possible, we adhere to a number of governance policies, which set out responsibilities from board and stakeholder levels and outline expectations of staff across the wider business.
Bribery and corruption
At JLA, we comply with the UK Bribery Act 2010 and similar laws in countries where we conduct business (e.g. the US Foreign and Corrupt Practices Act – FCPA).
We make it clear to our employees that they are never to engage in bribery or any form of unethical inducement or payment. Such behaviour is illegal and could result in substantial fines and potentially dismissal.
We expect all of our employees to act in the company’s best interests at all times and to avoid any activities which conflict, or appear to conflict, with the interests of the company, adversely affecting our reputation or our relations with others.
Customer service
We strive to treat our customers fairly and professionally in order to deliver high-quality customer service based on trust and credibility. We work with our customers to ensure that they understand how to use our products and services safely and responsibly.
All JLA employees have a responsibility to:
- Understand the individual needs of our customers and be helpful, friendly and polite
- Try to resolve queries and complaints in a way that satisfies our customers
- Complete anything we promise to do for a customer
We strive to anticipate our customers’ needs and promptly correct any mistakes we make. We aim to give value for money and provide efficient and effective products and services.
Data protection and confidentiality
We respect the confidentiality of information relating to identified or identifiable individuals and businesses and set out in our Business Principles that confidential information should only be accessed by those who have a genuine business reason for using it.
All confidential information is shredded before it is disposed of and we ensure our people are aware of their Data Protection responsibilities.
DBS
A number of our contracts are with customers where there may be contact with vulnerable adults or children. We have a duty of care to protect these groups of people and this obligation extends to our employees.
Because of this, we assess each role to determine if a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check is necessary. We will use a DBS check (obtained from Disclosure Scotland via SVS) only where this is considered proportionate and relevant to the particular position or type of regulated work. This is based on a thorough risk assessment of the position or work and having considered the relevant legislation which determines whether or not a Standard or Enhanced Disclosure under the 1997 Act or a Scheme Record under the 2007 is applicable.
Where a DBS check is applicable, employees complete the Standard check on commencement of employment with us – we do not undertake the Enhanced check, as none of our roles meet the criteria for this level. All relevant employees will be subject to subsequent DBS checks (or equivalent) every 3 years.
JLA is an equal opportunities employer. We comply with the Code, as well as the 1997 and 2007 Acts regarding the treatment of individuals who are subject to Disclosure Scotland checks. We undertake not to discriminate unfairly against the subject of a disclosure on the basis of conviction or other information revealed.
Supplier relations
We aim to apply our business principles to our suppliers, encouraging them to uphold responsible business practices. By setting high standards and working closely with suppliers to tackle social and environmental impacts, we provide reassurance to our customers and build on our reputation as a responsible business.
We spend millions of pounds annually with our suppliers, and they provide us with a range of products from laundry and warewashing equipment to fleet vehicles and IT products. We also buy services ranging from office support functions to cleaning and security.
The nature of our supply chain is changing as we implement our strategy to support customers and as our business evolves towards a low-carbon society. We respond to these changes through communicating our standards to suppliers, monitoring their compliance and working with them to improve performance. We are also engaging with suppliers to understand how best to reduce carbon emissions throughout our supply chain.
The nature of our supply chain is changing as we implement our strategy to support customers and as our business evolves towards a low carbon society. We respond to these changes through communicating our standards to suppliers, monitoring their compliance and working with them to improve performance. We are also engaging with suppliers to understand how best to reduce carbon emissions throughout our supply chain.
