CORPORATE
AND DIVISION STRATEGIC PLANNING
STRATEGIC
PLANNING AT HUL
VISION OF HUL
HUL's
vision is to continuously innovate technologies to further reduce water
consumption and further increase conservation in its operations.
Simultaneously, HUL sites will progressively help communities, wherever
required, to develop watersheds.
MISSION OF HUL
Unilever's
mission is to add Vitality to life. We meet everyday needs for nutrition,
hygiene, and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good
and get more out of life.
CORPORATE PUPROSE
Unilever's
mission is to add Vitality to life. We meet everyday needs for nutrition;
hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good and
get more out of life.
Our
deep roots in local cultures and markets around the world give us our strong
relationship with consumers and are the foundation for our future growth. We
will bring our wealth of knowledge and international expertise to the service
of local consumers - a truly multi-local multinational.
Our long-term success requires a total commitment to exceptional standards of
performance and productivity, to working together effectively, and to a
willingness to embrace new ideas and learn continuously.
To
succeed also requires, we believe, the highest standards of corporate behaviour
towards everyone we work with, the communities we touch, and the environment on
which we have an impact.
This
is our road to sustainable, profitable growth, creating long-term value for our
shareholders, our people, and our business partners.
VALUES AT HUL
Unilever
has earned a reputation for conducting its business with integrity and with
respect for the interests of those our activities can affect. This reputation
is an asset, just as real as our people and brands.
Our first priority is to be a successful business and that means investing for
growth and balancing short term and long term interests. It also means caring
about our consumers, employees and shareholders, our business partners and the
world in which we live.
To succeed requires the highest standards of behavior from all of us. The
general principles contained in this Code set out those standards. More
detailed guidance tailored to the needs of different countries and companies
will build on these principles as appropriate, but will not include any
standards less rigorous than those contained in this Code.
We want this Code to be more than a collection of high sounding statements. It
must have practical value in our day to day business and each one of us must
follow these principles in the spirit as well as the letter.
Standard
of Conduct
We conduct our operations with honesty, integrity and openness, and with
respect for the human rights and interests of our employees.
We shall similarly respect the legitimate interests of those with whom we have
relationships.
Employees
Unilever
is committed to diversity in a working environment where there is mutual trust
and respect and where everyone feels responsible for the performance and
reputation of our company.
We will recruit, employ and promote employees on the sole basis of the
qualifications and abilities needed for the work to be performed.
We are committed to safe and healthy working conditions for all employees. We
will not use any form of forced, compulsory or child labour.
We are committed to working with employees to develop and enhance each individual's
skills and capabilities.
We respect the dignity of the individual and the right of employees to freedom
of association.
We will maintain good communications with employees through company based
information and consultation procedures.
Consumers
Unilever
is committed to providing branded products and services which consistently
offer value in terms of price and quality, and which are safe for their
intended use. Products and services will be accurately and properly labeled,
advertised and communicated.
Shareholders
Unilever
will conduct its operations in accordance with internationally accepted
principles of good corporate governance. We will provide timely, regular and
reliable information on our activities, structure, financial situation and
performance to all shareholders.
Business
Partners
Unilever
is committed to establishing mutually beneficial relations with our suppliers,
customers and business partners.
In our business dealings we expect our business partners to adhere to business
principles consistent with our own.
Community Involvement
Unilever
strives to be a trusted corporate citizen and, as an integral part of society,
to fulfill our responsibilities to the societies and communities in which we
operate.
Public
Activities
Unilever
companies are encouraged to promote and defend their legitimate business
interests.
Unilever will co-operate with governments and other organizations, both
directly and through bodies such as trade associations, in the development of proposed
legislation and other regulations which may affect legitimate business
interests.
Unilever neither supports political parties nor contributes to the funds of
groups whose activities are calculated to promote party interests.
The
Environment
Unilever
is committed to making continuous improvements in the management of our
environmental impact and to the longer-term goal of developing a sustainable
business.
Unilever will work in partnership with others to promote environmental care,
increase understanding of environmental issues and disseminate good practice.
Innovation
In
our scientific innovation to meet consumer needs we will respect the concerns
of our consumers and of society. We will work on the basis of sound science
applying rigorous standards of product safety.
Competition
Unilever
believes in vigorous yet fair competition and supports the development of
appropriate competition laws. Unilever companies and employees will conduct
their operations in accordance with the principles of fair competition and all
applicable regulations.
Business
Integrity
Unilever
does not give or receive whether directly or indirectly bribes or other
improper advantages for business or financial gain. No employee may offer give
or receive any gift or payment which is, or may be construed as being, a bribe.
Any demand for, or offer of, a bribe must be rejected immediately and reported
to management.
Unilever accounting records and supporting documents must accurately describe
and reflect the nature of the underlying transactions. No undisclosed or
unrecorded account, fund or asset will be established or maintained.
Conflicts
of Interests
All
Unilever employees are expected to avoid personal activities and financial
interests which could conflict with their responsibilities to the company.
Unilever employees must not seek gain for themselves or others through misuse
of their positions.
Compliance – Monitoring – Reporting
Compliance
with these principles is an essential element in our business success. The
Unilever Board is responsible for ensuring these principles are applied
throughout Unilever.
The Group Chief Executive is responsible for implementing these principles and
is supported in this by the Corporate Code Committee comprising the General
Counsel, the Joint Secretaries, the Chief Auditor, the SVP HR, the SVP
Communications and the Corporate Code Officer, who presents quarterly reports
to the Unilever Executive.
Day to day responsibility is delegated to all senior management of the regions,
categories, functions and operating companies. They are responsible for
implementing these principles, if necessary through more detailed guidance
tailored to local needs, and are supported in this by Regional Code Committees
comprising the Regional General Counsel together with representatives from all
relevant functions and categories.
Assurance of compliance is given and monitored each year. Compliance with the
Code is subject to review by the Board supported by the Corporate
Responsibility and Reputation Committee and for financial and accounting issues
the Audit Committee.
Any breaches of the Code must be reported in accordance with the procedures
specified by the General Counsel. The Board of Unilever will not criticise
management for any loss of business resulting from adherence to these
principles and other mandatory policies and instructions.
The Board of Unilever expects employees to bring to their attention, or to that
of senior management, any breach or suspected breach of these principles.
Provision has been made for employees to be able to report in confidence and no
employee will suffer as a consequence of doing so.
