Corporate Social Responsibility
CORPORATE SOICAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) POLICY STATEMENT
At Alstern Solicitors, the way we lead, work and behave is driven by our core values. These values influence the way we meet client needs while respecting the regulatory requirements and the way we promote ethically sound practices within Alstern. Alstern is committed to integrating responsible and sustainable business practices across our operations. It is our policy to act responsibly in our day-to-day relationships with our customers, partners, employees, and communities.
We are responsible to the public that we serve. Protecting our shared environment is of fundamental importance to Alstern, as it is to our employees. We have modeled our policy after some of the core principals of Advisory Industry, and also we commit and follow the The Code of Regulating Immigration advice from OISC. These principals are embedded in our business, processes and ways of working.
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High ethical standards when conducting business,
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Acts in an environmentally conscientious and responsible manner,
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Respects the privacy and dignity of our employees, partners and clients,
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Promotes a work environment of equal opportunity and never engages in unlawful discrimination,
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Commits to employing a diverse work force,
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Maintains a safe and healthy work environment, and
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Spends time, monies and resources to give back to the community and embraces philanthropy.
This Statement is about how Alstern takes account of its economic, social and environmental impact in the way
we operate as a business. By demonstrating our commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility we aim to align
our business values, purpose and strategy with the needs of our clients, whilst embedding such responsible and
ethical principles into everything we do.
The elements of this Statement cover our approach in working with our clients, employees, partner and
community as well as following the code of conduct from OSIC. These principles include established standards to ensure that working conditions are safe, that employees are treated with respect and dignity, and that business operations are environmentally responsible and conducted ethically.
Organisation Practice
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Organisations and its employees must always act in accordance with UK law.
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Organisations and employees must only act according to, and within, their authorisation.
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Organisations and its employees must not take advantage of a client’s or a prospective client’s vulnerability.
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Organisations and its employees must not mislead their clients or prospective clients.
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Organisations and its employees must always act in their clients’ best interests subject to regulatory and legal requirements.
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Organisations and its employees must, as far as reasonably practicable, satisfy themselves that documents supplied to them in support of an application are genuine.
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Organisations and its employees must treat their clients fairly and without prejudice or bias.
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Organisations must have a written equality and diversity policy that meets current statutory requirements.
Conflict of interest
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An adviser must explain fully and clearly in writing to a client or prospective client any circumstances in which they or their organisation have, or could gain, any interest or advantage in agreeing to act for them. This can include a real or potential conflict of interest. The client or prospective client, having received this information, must be given sufficient time to consider it. They must give their consent in writing before the organisation or that adviser can begin to act or continue to act for them.
Labor Practices
is committed to uphold the rights of our employees, and treat them with dignity and respect. This applies to all
employees including temporary, student, contract, direct and any other type of worker. We have detailed
processes and procedures in place to ensure we are in compliance with all federal, state and local regulations
and laws.
Labor Standards
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All work is voluntary and workers are free to leave work at any time or terminate their employment by following legal contract.
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Child labor is not used in any area. The term “child” refers to any person under the age of 15. The use of legitimate internship or student co-op programs, which comply with all laws and regulations, is supported. Workers under the age of 18 do not perform work that is likely to jeopardize the health or safety of young workers.
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Creation and maintenance of documents and records ensure regulatory compliance and conformity to company requirements along with appropriate confidentiality to protect privacy.
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Alstern's Human Resources conducts a regular review of our processes related to wage and labor practices.
Performance Management
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A key opportunity for Alstern to evaluate employees, measure progress, offer constructive feedback, and provide developmental plans and activities is through annual goal setting and performance reviews. Alstern has an ongoing and annual performance program focused on providing thorough, thoughtful and feedback and goals to increase employee skill set and ability.
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We also make it a point to recognise top performance and productivity both through formal Awards programs and informal recognition
Health and Safety
Alstern recognises that in addition to minimising the incidence of work-related incident and illness, a safe and healthy work environment enhances the quality of and services, consistency of performance and employee retention and morale. We also recognise that ongoing employee input and education is essential to identifying and solving health and safety issues in the workplace.
Environments Issues
Protection of the environment in which we live and operate is part of Alstern's values and principles and we
consider it to be sound business practice. Care for the environment is one of our key responsibilities and an
important part of the way in which we do business. We strive to reduce our energy use, manage our carbon
footprint and decrease our overall environmental impact. We commit our company to:
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Comply with all relevant environmental legislation, regulations and approved codes of practice
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Protect the environment by striving to prevent and minimise our contribution to pollution of land, air, and water
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Seek to keep waste to a minimum and maximise the efficient use of materials and resources
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Develop our management processes to ensure that environmental factors are considered during planning and implementation
The nature of our work as a service provider means that we do not inherently have a high environmental impact
but we will take consideration of environmental issues in the professional services we provide and endeavor to
reduce our environmental impact to an absolute minimum.
Community Involvement
Alstern recognises the importance of community involvement. Our business is dependent upon our
communities for employees and for clients, and our communities are dependent on our business for
employment opportunities and for our services. Alstern will integrate Community Investment considerations into decision-making and business practices, and will assist in local capacity building to develop mutually beneficial relationships with communities.
Summary
The operations and ultimate responsibility for the commitment to our corporate social and environmental
sustainability principles lies with every employee of Alstern. The effectiveness of the Policy Statement will be monitored and reviewed at least annually by the President to ensure the Company’s continuing compliance with any relevant legislation and to meet new business requirements and to identify areas in need of improvement. We will also ensure that all changes will be brought to the attention of employees as necessary.