CODE OF CONDUCT

Get the Gallop embodies sustainability, socially responsible and transparent business practices. Get the Gallop´s Code of Conduct is the foundation of Get the Gallop´s approach to ethical, transparent and responsible sourcing.

Get the Gallop AB – Code of Conduct

The Get the Gallop Code of Conduct defines standards for fair, safe and healthy working conditions and environmental responsibility throughout our supply chain. Our Code is based on international regulations set by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

All Suppliers are expected to commit to the Code of Conduct in all production for Get the Gallop. Suppliers must also ensure that their sub-suppliers follow the Code of Conduct. Should we find that the code is not followed, we will agree with the supplier on corrective measures within a reasonable time frame. In case the code would be violated repeatedly, we will terminate the co-operation and cancel existing orders. Supplier premises must at all times be available for the Get the Gallop crew or any third party chosen by Get the Gallop for assessment of compliance to the Code of Conduct.

Suppliers must ensure that national legislations are followed.

1. Contract of employment

There should be a legally binding employment relationship for every worker. All workers, including short term and part time employed workers should get a written contract of employment in the local language, stipulating the employment terms and conditions. The employer has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are aware of their legal rights and obligations.

2. Minimum age and Regulations for Young Workers

Get the Gallop does not accept child labor. The age for employment shall be no less than the age of completion of compulsory school and, in any case, not less than 15 years. We acknowledge that according to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, a person is a child until the age of 18. All legal limitations on the employment of persons below the age of 18 years must be followed. Children in the age of 15-18 shall not perform work which, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to harm their health or physical, mental, spiritual, social or moral development. Young workers shall be given the opportunity to participate in education and training programs.

There shall be no forms of debt bondage, serfdom, forced or compulsory labor, slavery or practices similar to slavery such as the sale and trafficking of children.

· ILO Conventions 138, 182 and 79 and UN Convention on The Rights of the Child

3. No Forced labor Employment shall be freely chosen. There must be no use of forced labor, including bonded or prison labor. These conditions must be met unconditionally for all workers including temporary and contract workers. The employer must not retain their employees´ identity documents.

· ILO Conventions 29 and 105

4. No Discrimination

All employment relationships shall be based on the principle of equal opportunities, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, political affiliation, union membership, nationality, pregnancy or childbirth, social origin or handicaps. There must be no discrimination in recruitment, wage policy, admittance to training programs, employee promotion policy, policies of employment termination and retirement.

· ILO Conventions 100 and 111

5. Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining

The right of all workers to form and join trade unions shall be respected. Workers´ right to negotiate collectively must not be prevented in any way. In those situations, in which the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining are restricted under law, the employer shall facilitate other forms of independent and free association and bargaining for all workers. The employer shall develop and implement effective grievance mechanisms to resolve internal disputes and employee complaints in a respectful and transparent way. Workers’ representatives must not be discriminated against and shall have access to all workplaces necessary to carry out their role.

· ILO Conventions 87, 98, 135 and 154

6. Compensation

Wages and benefits paid for a standard working week must meet at least legal and industry minimum standards. Living wages are a human right. Everyone should receive a wage that covers his or her basic needs. Get the Gallop – strive to fulfill the Living Wage Incubator by Fair Wear Foundation. Get the Gallop is committed to take real action to raise wages, instead of just talking about it. In any case where the minimum standard is not sufficient to cover the workers´ basic needs and allow for discretionary income (some savings), the employer is urged to strive for a living wage. Deductions from wages which are not provided for by national law are not permitted. Overtime must always be compensated at a premium rate. Workers should be informed about how their wages are made up and receive a pay slip with this information. The workers should also be entitled of all legal social benefits, like pension and health benefits. These benefits must be clearly marked on the pay slip.

· ILO Conventions 26 and 131

7. Working hours

There must be no excessive working hours. The regular work week shall not exceed 48 hours or the maximum allowed by the law of the country of manufacture, whichever is less. Employees are allowed at least 24 consecutive hours rest in every seven-day work period. All overtime work shall be consensual. Employers shall not request overtime hours on a regular basis. The sum of regular and overtime hours in a week shall not exceed 60 hours or the maximum allowed by the law of the country of manufacture, whichever is less. All employees shall be entitled to contractual holidays, sick leave and parental leave.

· ILO Convention 1 and 14

8. Safe and healthy working conditions, no harassment or abuse

Get the Gallop requires that suppliers provide safe and healthy workplaces for their employees. The employer shall implement effective regulations and routines to prevent accidents and minimize health risks. The employer shall also ensure to cover any cost related to work incidents. First aid equipment must be easily available, and a sufficient number of personnel shall have been trained in basic first aid. The employer must provide adequate protective equipment where needed and train workers to use it. Evacuation plans should be in place and well known to all workers, evacuation paths must be clearly marked and unblocked and firefighting equipment adequate. Temperature should be tolerable for work environments and ventilation sufficient to remain indoor air fresh from any pollutions from processes. Lighting shall be adequate for all workstations. The employer must ensure free and unrestricted access to clean drinking water. Sanitary facilities should be clean, and workers must have access without unreasonable restrictions. The number of sanitary facilities should be adequate and separated by gender.

Every employee should be treated with respect and dignity. No employee should be subject to any physical, sexual, psychological or verbal harassment or abuse.

· ILO Convention 155 & Recommendation 164

9. Housing conditions

If housing is provided by the employer, buildings must be safe and hygienic. Evacuation plans should be in place and well known to all workers, evacuation paths must be clearly marked and unblocked and firefighting equipment adequate. The living space per worker must meet the minimum legal requirement. Sanitary facilities shall be separated by gender. There must be no restrictions for access to dormitories.

10. Environmental care

Get the Gallop encourages a progressive environmental work. As a minimum, National Environmental legislation and standards in the country of operation must be followed. Get the Gallop prioritized and most used certifications are GOTS, GRS, OCS, Oeko-Tex® standard 100 and FSC. All mentioned certificates demand a higer position than national local regulation.
Waste management and deposit of chemical waste and other hazardous material must be in accordance with national laws. Emission and wastewater management must comply with or exceed local legal requirements. Relevant environmental permits and licenses for the operations must be collected.

11. Animal welfare

Suppliers must respect animal welfare and work progressively towards adopting healthy and humane practices towards animals. All animals shall be treated well and protected from suffering and disease. Animals shall be kept in an environment that allows for them to perform normal patterns of behavior. Get the Gallop only accepts leathers from animals that have been bred for meat production. Material originating from endangered animals according to CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is not allowed

12. Management

The Management shall ensure a well-established and functional anti-corruption policy and handling of any eventual cases of corruption. Get the Gallop does not tolerate any acts of corruption, extortion, embezzlement or bribery

Functional means for two-way communication between management and workers must be installed. The management shall provide equal opportunities and does not discriminate against workers. The management shall provide a system to collect complaints and suggestions from employees. 

There should be an appointed person in managerial position responsible for Social and Environmental compliance and implementation of the Code of Conduct.

DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Disciplinary action may be taken by Get the Gallop in the following circumstances:

- Authorizing or directly participating in actions that violate this Code of Conduct;

- Concealing a violation of this Code of Conduct;

- Refusal to cooperate in the investigation of a violation of the principles or actions specified in this Code of Conduct;

- Failure to detect or report a subordinate’s violation of this Code of Conduct in cases where such failure reflects inadequate supervision or lack of oversight; or

- Retaliating, directly or indirectly, against an individual who reports a violation of this Code of Conduct.

- If appropriate, disciplinary action may include the termination of employment.