Introduction
IT8 is a specialist IT recruitment agency committed to conducting its business in a socially, environmentally, and economically responsible manner. As a UK-based company, we recognise our obligation to contribute to a sustainable future by integrating ethical practices into every aspect of our operations. This policy outlines our commitment to reducing our environmental impact, upholding the highest social standards, and ensuring long-term business resilience.
Our Principles
Our sustainability policy is built on the three pillars of sustainability:
- Environmental: We will minimise our ecological footprint through conscious resource management and eco-friendly practices.
- Social: We will champion ethical recruitment, diversity, and the well-being of our employees, candidates, and communities.
- Economic: We will maintain an ethical and transparent business model that promotes sustainable growth and long-term viability.
1. Environmental Responsibility
Our primary goal is to minimise our environmental impact by adopting paperless and energy-efficient practices.
- Paperless Operations: We are committed to a fully digital workflow. All contracts, candidate CVs, and client communication will be managed via secure digital platforms. We will use e-signatures and cloud-based storage to eliminate the need for printing and physical document storage.
- Energy Efficiency: We will actively seek to reduce our energy consumption by:
- Using energy-efficient hardware and lighting in our offices.
- Encouraging a "switch off" policy for all electronic devices when not in use.
- Opting for a green energy supplier where possible.
- Waste Management: We adhere to the "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" principle. We will provide recycling facilities for all office waste and ensure the proper, certified disposal of electronic waste (WEEE) in line with UK regulations.
- Sustainable Travel: We will promote virtual meetings and interviews as our default method of communication to reduce carbon emissions from travel. We encourage our employees to use sustainable commuting options, such as cycling or public transport.
2. Social Responsibility
We believe our business has a responsibility to foster a fair and inclusive environment both internally and within the recruitment industry.
- Ethical Recruitment: We are committed to fair and transparent recruitment practices that are free from discrimination. We will treat all candidates and clients with dignity and respect, ensuring that hiring decisions are based solely on merit, skills, and qualifications. We will not accept any discriminatory hiring instructions from clients.
- Diversity and Inclusion: We actively promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Our goal is to connect clients with a diverse pool of talent, challenging unconscious biases and creating a more representative workforce in the IT sector.
- Employee Well-being: We are dedicated to creating a supportive and positive work environment for our team. We offer flexible working arrangements, support mental health initiatives, and foster a culture of open communication and mutual respect.
- Community Engagement: We aim to support our local community through voluntary work, partnerships with local tech initiatives, or pro-bono recruitment for charitable organisations.
3. Economic Responsibility
Our commitment to sustainability extends to our financial and operational integrity.
- Ethical Supply Chain: We will vet our suppliers and partners to ensure they share our commitment to ethical labor practices and environmental responsibility. We will prioritise working with local, sustainable suppliers wherever possible.
- Business Integrity: We operate with complete transparency in our fees and services. We are committed to building long-term, trustworthy relationships with our clients and candidates, ensuring a stable and ethical business model.
Implementation and Review
The Managing Director is responsible for the implementation of this policy. This document will be communicated to all employees, and its principles will be integrated into our company culture and training.
We will review this policy annually to track our progress, set new measurable targets, and ensure our practices remain compliant with current UK legislation and best practice standards. We are committed to continuous improvement in our sustainability performance.