Guidelines for Employees, Managers, and Shareholders

We expect all staff to act responsibly, respectfully and with integrity. Our staff play an active role in shaping GUTcert and, within their respective areas of responsibility, are accountable for quality, sustainability and effective collaboration.

A working environment based on trust, motivation, commitment and good health are essential for good performance and the company’s long-term success. Our credibility in the outside world stems from our behaviour within the organisation.

The Quality of our collective actions

Quality-conscious, efficient and value-driven practices characterise our day-to-day work. We adhere to our quality standards and continuously develop our services, processes and working methods in order to meet the growing demands of our customers and stakeholders. The reliability and high quality of our work form the basis for the trust placed in us.

Integrity and Compliance

We act with integrity, independence, responsibility and trust at all times, and make decisions transparently and in accordance with our ethical principles – towards our customers and business partners, and within the company.

Established processes and clear lines of responsibility ensure that we reliably meet our legal, regulatory and internal requirements. Every single one of us plays a part in embedding compliance and quality in our day-to-day work.

Open Internal Culture of Error Reporting and Suggestion Process

An open culture of error and learning is a key factor in our success. We address mistakes, challenges and uncertainties early on and constructively, so that we can develop solutions together and learn from them. Our focus is on continuous improvement, not on apportioning blame.

Ideas, suggestions and proposals for improvement are expressly welcome. We foster a culture in which staff and managers contribute to the continuous development of processes, collaboration and performance.

Respect in our interactions with one another

We treat one another, as well as our customers and business partners, with respect, appreciation and openness. We listen, encourage constructive dialogue and regard different experiences, perspectives and opinions as the foundation for successful collaboration.

Respect for Human Rights and Labor Rights

Human and employee rights are an integral part of our corporate culture. We promote a working environment characterised by respect, appreciation and equal opportunities.

Bullying, harassment, discrimination and any form of disregard for the principles of labour law have no place in our organisation. We take a consistent, zero-tolerance approach to such behaviour and are committed to ensuring a safe, fair and respectful working environment.

Occupational Safety and Health

Safety, health and wellbeing at work are essential to us. Employees and managers take responsibility for their own health whilst also contributing to a safe and health-promoting working environment.

We act with safety in mind at all times, look out for one another and work together to ensure compliance with occupational health and safety standards.

Information Security and Data Protection

The responsible handling of information and intangible assets is an essential part of our corporate culture. We protect information, data, know-how and other intangible assets, regardless of whether they belong to our company, our customers, business partners or other third parties.

Employees and managers share responsibility for ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information. In doing so, we consistently adhere to the applicable legal and regulatory requirements as well as our internal policies and guidelines.

Protecting the Company's Assets and Reputation

Protecting our assets and resources is our shared responsibility. We use the company’s tangible and intangible assets carefully, economically and exclusively for their intended purposes. It is the responsibility of us all to protect them from loss, damage, theft, misuse and unauthorised access. Any identified risks or incidents must be reported immediately.

Every employee and every manager contributes to our company’s reputation through their behaviour and communication. We communicate responsibly, respectfully and professionally, both in the workplace and when using social media. In doing so, we protect confidential information, comply with applicable guidelines and thereby strengthen trust in our companies.

Environmental and Climate Protection

Environmental and climate protection have always been in our blood. By regularly assessing the key sustainability aspects of our business activities, we identify areas for action and implement targeted measures to prevent, reduce and, where necessary, offset our environmental impact. Through sustainable and resource-efficient behaviour, each and every one of us makes an important contribution to achieving our goals.

Social Commitment

As a responsible company, we aim to contribute to the sustainable development of society. We support social, charitable and community initiatives to the best of our ability through donations, sponsorship and other forms of engagement.

In particular, we encourage social engagement amongst our staff and managers and welcome their commitment to social, community and sustainability issues. Together, we make a positive contribution to the community and fulfil our social responsibility.