Number 1 in ethics

Rezidor strongly believes in Responsible Business: we operate in a way that is respectful of human rights, socially equitable and environmentally sustainable. Our company-wide Responsible Business programme is one of the longest-standing and most comprehensive in the industry. In 2010, we were named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies.

A group-wide Responsible Business programme

As a company with Scandinavian roots, Rezidor was one of the first international hotel groups to develop its own company-wide Responsible Business programme. Our first environmental policy dates back to 1989 – today, we work with a comprehensive and industry-leading system comprising three main pillars: taking responsibility for the health and safety of employees and guests, respecting social and ethical issues in the company as well as the community, and reducing our negative impact on the environment.

We continue to focus on resource effiency with regard to energy, water and waste and mandatory Responsible Business training for all employees has allowed us to maintain our strong environmental performance in 2010. Almost half of our hotels have been awarded an eco-label in recognition of their green efforts.

Our employees undertake a dedicated Responsible Business training programme and have the opportunity to volunteer in their communities. Hotels also raise funds for local causes and our official corporate charity organisation, World Childhood Foundation, which is dedicated to helping street children, sexually abused or exploited children, and children trafficked for sexual purposes.

Code of Business Ethics

Rezidor has long been committed to maintaining a high standard of business ethics, honesty and integrity, and every employee is introduced to the company’s ethical culture and Code of Business Ethics through the induction programme and the Living Responsible Business training programme. Our Code of Business Ethics contains rules and guidelines for our conduct and responsibilities vis-à-vis colleagues, customers, guests, suppliers, shareholders and the authorities.  It is also reflected in the “Always Care” motto of our Safety and Security programme, TRIC=S, now widely acknowledged as best practice for corporate security management.

A safe and secure place to work and stay

TRIC=S stands for Threat Assessment + Risk Mitigation + Incident Response Capability + Crisis Management Preparedness = Safe, Secure Hotels. Developed within Rezidor and providing bespoke safety and security services and solutions for our hotels and offices, TRIC=S includes monitoring in all countries where we have a presence; regular information and briefings for employees; and detailed rules, procedures and tools for any incident that may occur. Overseen and continually developed by an experienced corporate safety and security management team, TRIC=S is considered to be an industry-leading initiative and has gained international respect. Consistent with the global alignment of their core brands, Rezidor and Carlson signed an agreement in November 2010 to extend their cooperation to include the area of corporate safety and security.

An award-winning company

In 2010, we were named one of the world’s most ethical companies by the Ethisphere Institute think-tank. Ethisphere honoured Rezidor with this prestigious award after reviewing thousands of nominations from companies in more than 100 countries and 36 industries. The award committee, which consists of lawyers, professors, government officials and organisation leaders, helped create the methodology for the awards and reviewed seven distinct categories: Corporate Citizenship and Responsibility; Corporate Governance; Innovation that Contributes to the Public Well-Being; Industry Leadership; Executive Leadership; Legal, Regulatory and Reputation Track Record; and Internal Systems and Ethics/Compliance Programme.

A bevy of firsts

Rezidor was one of the first international hotel groups to join the United Nations’ Global Compact, in early 2009. The Global Compact is a policy initiative for businesses that are committed to aligning their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. We were also the first international hotel group to offer guests the possibility to offset the carbon emissions associated with their stay.