Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Is it ethical?
Is it safe?
Is it legal?
Am I doing the right thing?
Is it sustainable?
Whos responsible?
?
Is it secure?
Should I report it?
Behaving the Atkins way:
our code of conduct
4 Behaving the Atkins way: our code of conduct
Contents
Foreword from our CEO 7
Introduction8
Section 1: Doing business the Atkins way 13
a. People15
b. Win work 16
c. Deliver work 17
d. Business operations 17
Uwe Krueger
Chief Executive Officer
Do you need to report an issue or concern? See page 54 for details.
8 Behaving the Atkins way: our code of conduct
Introduction
When you join Atkins, you join a business with a proud heritage.
It is a business that prides itself on the talents and qualities of its
people; qualities that have enabled us to develop lasting and valued
relationships with our clients, and an enviable reputation around
the world.
This code is structured around our four core business processes, and
defines the seven behaviours that wrap around our daily activities.
The diagram below illustrates this relationship, and as you can see, it
places integrity at the heart of what we do.
People
ple Win
Enable a wo
ork
work
B
Build our
sustainab
ble
sustainable s
success
future
Integrity
Business
Busin
ness Delliver
Deliver
operations work
Prrotect
Protect Be saf
fe
safe
information and secure
secure
andd assets
Take personal
responsibility
Section 1:
Doing business the Atkins way
Section 1:
Doing business the Atkins way
At Atkins, our daily activities revolve around four core
business processes:
Take personal
responsibility
a. People
What do we mean by People?
People are central to us achieving our aims as a business.
This includes our colleagues, our clients, our business partners and
others we work with.
We need to attract and retain the very best people to work
for Atkins, motivate people to achieve the best, and develop
individuals and teams to their full potential
We need to inspire confidence among those we work with,
including demonstrating respect for others their cultures,
customs and traditions and fostering open and honest
communication
We need to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone.
Why is it important?
People are at the heart of what we do the services we
provide are built around the skills and expertise of our workforce.
Our culture and the way we work determine whether clients and
partners want to do business with us, and whether talented people
choose a career with Atkins.
b. Win work
What do we mean by Win work?
To be financially successful, Atkins needs to maintain a constant
pipeline of future work. To secure and retain clients, win work
and grow our business, we need to conduct ourselves in a
professional manner.
This includes:
Why is it important?
We need new and continued sources of revenue to continue to be
successful.
c. Deliver work
What do we mean by Deliver work?
Delivering work describes the way we fulfil our commitments
and satisfy the needs of our stakeholders and interested parties
(including clients, colleagues and suppliers), as well as meeting our
own and industry standards.
We must always strive to show how Atkins can add value over and
above the basic requirements of doing a piece of work.
Why is it important?
Were judged by the quality of the work we deliver, as well as
our approach to getting things done. The way we deliver work is
guided by our culture, which reinforces, strengthens and builds our
reputation.
d. Business operations
What do we mean by Business operations?
The term business operations describes how we implement the
right processes and governance to ensure that we efficiently
and effectively fulfil our legal and ethical commitments, and be
commercially successful.
Atkins has developed a comprehensive corporate governance
framework and Business Management System (BMS) for
this purpose.
For details of the framework, please go to page 58 of this code.
Why is it important?
We need to operate in a coordinated and consistent manner,
with simple and streamlined processes that help us achieve our
ultimate goals.
Section 2:
Behaving the Atkins way
Section 2:
Behaving the Atkins way
Having identified the four business processes on which we all focus,
every day, we will now detail the seven behaviours that wrap around
our processes.
Value
Take
Ta people
personal BeWork
safe
and relationships
responsibility ethically
and secure
People Win
Enable
E nable a work
Build ourr
ssustainable
sustainabl
u le success
future
Integrity
Business Deliver
operations work
Protecct
Protect BeWork
safe
informatio
informationon ethically
and secure
a d assets
an
and
Value
Takepeople and
personal
relationships
responsibility
Behaving the Atkins way: our code of conduct 21
Why is it important?
Throughout your career with Atkins, we want you to flourish, to
enjoy your work, to have fun, to progress your career and to
develop your role. A positive working environment is good for all
of us as individuals, good for our teams, and because we all work
better when we have a real sense of belonging, it is good for
business too.
Professional and meaningful relationships with our colleagues,
clients and partners are key to our success.
They make the difference between just doing the work, and doing it
well. It is important for each of us to take the time to understand and
to value the contribution that others make to the work we are doing.
Ask yourself
b. Work ethically
What do we mean by Work ethically?
Working ethically means that we should all:
Obey the law, observe regulations and guidelines and be seen
to do so
Exercise judgement in all our professional relationships and take
steps to avoid situations that could compromise us. For example,
a conflict of interest with someone we know or something we do
outside of work
Avoid giving or receiving any kind of gift or hospitality that
could be seen to influence a business decision. Where any gift or
hospitality is given or received, this should always be signed off by
your line manager or supervisor. If you are unsure or need advice,
contact your local Legal Advisor. For more information go to
tinyurl.com/ko8aubr
Why is it important?
Our reputation is built on trust. Our clients trust us with critical
projects. Our partners trust us with sensitive information. Our
employees trust us with their careers. And if we are to maintain that
reputation, we all need to play our part and demonstrate that we
continue to deserve that trust, every day, in everything we do.
Atkins people are some of the brightest and best. Were good at what
we do, whether were planning, designing and enabling complex client
projects, solving technical challenges, or delivering project excellence.
From the smallest detail behind the scenes to the highest profile client
interactions, we must always be ethical and honest.
Ask yourself
Why is it important?
1
We have fully understood customer requirements,
assessed these as being reasonable and translated
them into a clear basis of design.
2
We have assessed what resources (e.g. key people,
skills, accommodation and tools) are required and
confirmed they are available.
3
We have understood our scope of work within the
project lifecycle and have split this into appropriate
phases. The work breakdown structure and
deliverables for each phase are well defined.
4
We have understood and communicated roles
and responsibilities for our operations and our
customers and any third parties such as a regulator.
6
We have put in place suitable processes to ensure
that our deliverables meet the design requirements.
7
We will capture lessons learned during the project and
feed these back into our design processes.
Ask yourself
Why is it important?
Why is it important?
At Atkins, we value a questioning mind. Our people are forward
looking and proactive by nature, quietly thinking through the issues
and seeing challenges from different angles. It is one of the key
reasons our clients choose to work with us.
We take personal and professional pride in our work and its
outcomes, and we share responsibility for getting the job done right
first time and delivering on our promises.
Ask yourself
Why is it important?
Protecting our information and assets is vitally important to both
us and our clients. From a business perspective it is essential that
information such as financial results, business plans, technical
designs, or personal information is not compromised. Asset
security is equally important and even a small scale security breach
could leave us without access to critical equipment, services or IT
systems for hours or days.
Its imperative that we maintain the trust of our clients, partners and
colleagues by ensuring that we have adequate controls in place to
address confidentiality, integrity and availability of information. In
doing so we protect our reputation.
What steps do you take to protect all information and data you
have access to?
How do you look after the assets (including IT equipment and
premises) you use to do your job?
What could go wrong if information, data or assets were
compromised?
Do you require training in security awareness, systems and tools?
Do you understand the sensitivity of information you hold?
Why is it important?
As one of the worlds leading design, engineering and project
management consultancies, Atkins is privileged to take a lead in
developing and encouraging sustainability on a local and global scale
in the projects we deliver for our clients from water conservation
and flood protection to urban regeneration and transportation
solutions.
Each of us has a responsibility to consider the sustainability of
our own work practices and their effect on society and the
environment, in line with Atkins Sustainability Principles.
Behaving the Atkins way: our code of conduct 39
Section 3:
Putting it into practice
Section 3:
Putting it into practice
Having described the way we approach business activities and the
behaviours we expect from all Atkins people, this section details the
practical application of the behaviours. It lists:
People
Our expectations, your responsibilities
Always: Never:
99 lead by example model and keep copies of sensitive
reinforce the right behaviours information including
at all times information relating to team
99 collaborate and work with members
others to find solutions recruit on the basis of
99 help people to develop to preconceived views
their full potential proceed if there are potential
99 hold people to account conflicts of interest
based on clear expectations compromise security or fail to
99 be forward thinking and report incidents
strategic in managing overlook mistakes,
resources misunderstandings, errors or
99 persuade rather than control faults
peoples responses display or tolerate
99 value your colleagues and unprofessional behaviour
clients. towards anyone.
Win work
Our expectations, your responsibilities
Always: Never:
99 seek to deliver on promises give or receive gifts or
99 be active in building hospitality which compromise
relationships and engaging or appear to compromise
with clients your personal integrity or
99 understand your own limits that of the company
and your teams capabilities proceed if there are potential
and competences when conflicts of interest
bidding defraud or deceive anyone or
99 actively listen to and involve act dishonestly
others, including current and collude with competitors
potential clients take bribes, improper
99 learn from past experience payments or participation in
and endeavour to any kind of corrupt activity
incorporate this into action take on work we are unable
99 seek to understand different to deliver.
perspectives
99 maintain the highest ethical
standards.
Deliver work
Our expectations, your responsibilities
Always: Never:
99 ensure contracts are share client information
honoured e.g. maintain with third parties without
payment terms and deliver permission
on contractual commitments take risks without
99 report concerns, particularly considering the impact and
where significant risk exists outcome
99 take responsibility actively compromise the quality of
challenge what is proposed our services
(e.g. in reviewing designs) accept changes to the scope
99 ensure safety and of work until these have
environmental considerations been fully agreed
are integrated within your hold onto information that
designs should be shared in an open
99 show integrity charge and timely manner
honestly for your services claim for anything we do not
99 be safe and secure Stop, believe we are entitled to
Think and then Act when risk overbook time to a job.
is encountered
99 be diligent in delivering our
commitments on quality and
technical excellence
99 protect our reputation and
get things right first time
99 ensure you are meeting our
Design Principles standard
(best possible solution given
the project constraints).
Business operations
Our expectations, your responsibilities
Always: Never:
99 honour our contractual purchase or receive goods
commitments and comply and services for personal gain
with legal requirements and act outside the confines of
regulations your authority
99 keep accurate, up to date treat company property
records carelessly
99 use and comply with fail to report theft, damage
Atkins security systems and or corruption or suspected
measures breaches of information
99 stop work if you think access or store inappropriate
something is unsafe or may information, data or images
cause harm through or on company
99 be willing to act to protect equipment
the safety and well-being of circumvent company
others processes and systems.
99 know how to respond in an
emergency, and how to alert
others.
Section 4:
Reporting an issue or raising a concern
Section 4:
Reporting an issue or raising a concern
Confidential reporting
If you see something that you feel isnt right, is unethical, illegal,
unsafe or not secure, there are a number of resources that you can
use to report or escalate your concerns.
In the first instance, you should report an issue or concern to your
line manager or supervisor, or to another senior manager.
If you feel that your concern has not been addressed, then you
have the opportunity to raise this confidentially using Safecall, the
confidential whistleblowing phone lines.
What is Safecall?
Safecall is an independent organisation that specialises in providing
a confidential service for individuals to report on any inappropriate
conduct that they may become aware of in their organisations.
Calls are handled locally by a professional team whose job it is
to ensure that concerns are routed quickly, with sensitivity and
in confidence to a member of senior management who will take
responsibility to investigate the issue.
The Safecall numbers are:
Telephone numbers are correct at time of You can also make a report online at
going to press. These numbers are reviewed www.safecall.co.uk/atkins
frequently based on our operations. For the latest
information please check Axis:
tinyurl.com/m2dy5j4
56 Behaving the Atkins way: our code of conduct
Section 5:
Further information
Section 5:
Further information
This code describes the way we behave at
Atkins. It is part of the Atkins corporate
governance framework and is one of a suite of
documents that articulates our vision, ethos,
policies and principles.
Our corporate governance framework
Board
Articles of association Board
Matters reserved to the Board
We ensure that these requirements are defined within the business management
system, with our behaviours defined in Behaving the Atkins way: our code of
conduct.
Uwe Krueger
local legislation.
Chief Executive
February 2014 www.atkinsglobal.com
WS Atkins plc Business Conduct Policy Statement | Issued in 2013, 2014 minor changes made to reflect the introduction of the new Code of Conduct
Atkins Board and businesses are accountable for implementing this policy and we
look to our employees support and professionalism in making it truly effective.
www.atkinsglobal.com
We ensure that these requirements are defined within the business management
system, which has been developed to meet the needs of our clients and our
Uwe Krueger
Uwe Krueger
Chief Executive
February 2014
and civil partnership, pregnancy, parental obligations and
www.atkinsglobal.com
WS Atkins plc Employment Policy Statement | Issued in 2013, 2014 no change
Our clients range across the public, regulated and private sectors. They include
www.atkinsglobal.com
tinyurl.com/kqxawoz
integral part of the culture of Atkins. We aspire to this Atkins businesses are accountable for implementing this policy and we look to
our employees support and professionalism in making it truly effective.
Our vision is for health and safety to be a natural and integral part of the culture
of Atkins. We aspire to this through effective leadership and developing
appropriate behaviours. This means proactively working with colleagues, clients
and our supply chain to ensure that it is fully integrated into our decision
making processes.
Atkins acknowledges its potential to influence change
in occupational health and safety management. We
setting risk-based objectives and targets as part of our overall business
improvement programme;
and services.
We ensure that these requirements are defined within the business
management system, which has been developed to meet the needs of our
clients and our businesses. Businesses have either achieved or are working
towards the British Standard OHSAS 18001:2007 (Occupational Health and
Safety Management Systems), and other sector-specific equivalents, as
appropriate.
Atkins businesses are accountable for implementing this policy and we look to
Uwe Krueger
www.atkinsglobal.com
WS Atkins plc Health & Safety Policy Statement | Issued in 2013, 2014 minor changes to include Be safe and secure and health and wellbeing
services we provide.
preventing pollution; and protecting and improving ecosystems.
Atkins businesses are accountable for implementing this policy and we look to
our employees support and professionalism in making it truly effective.
Atkins businesses are accountable for implementing this policy and we look to
our employees support and professionalism in making it truly effective.
Atkins businesses are accountable for implementing this policy and we look to
our employees support and professionalism in making it truly effective.
tinyurl.com/kf6vcyd
February 2014
www.atkinsglobal.com
WS Atkins plc Supply Chain Policy Statement | Issued in 2013, 2014 minor changes including where appropriate the Supply Partner will have certification
Behaving the Atkins way: our code of conduct 65
Our vision is for security to be a natural and integral part of the culture of
Atkins. We aspire to this through effective leadership and developing
appropriate behaviours. This means proactively working with colleagues, clients
and our supply chain to ensure that it is fully integrated into our decision
making processes. We define securing our business as:
Atkins acknowledges that the security of our staff and assets is critical
to both us and clients. We are committed to the wellbeing of our
Be safe and secure minimising the risk of harm to our staff, contractors and
third parties as a result of physical abuse, verbal abuse and threats to their
health or safety whilst working or travelling;
damage or theft.
We pursue our commitment to securing our business by:
with colleagues, clients and our supply chain to ensure that it is fully
our employees support and professionalism in making it truly effective.
Uwe Krueger
www.atkinsglobal.com