CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND BUSINESS ETHICS
The Code of Ethics establishes the basic ethical rules, the most important human values, relationships and principles of professional conduct and commercial ethics. It is the basic document with which the organizational culture is formed, regulated and confirmed. Its purpose is to clearly define the principles of our work and business ethics, which are key to our activity and are known both to our language specialists and to our cooperation partners. This code governs the standards, principles, values and procedures that should govern conduct. All associates act in accordance with the corporate values set forth therein.
The principles of our activity are: responsibility, reliability and honesty. They are the main values that, along with good faith, loyalty and mutual respect, allow us to be reliable employers, cooperation partners and representatives of our professional field.
We form a long-term partnership for joint activity with employees and contractors – language specialists, clients, suppliers and other partners. The principles of this code of conduct are followed in our daily dealings with them. We build trust in the environment of an ethical, socially and economically responsible organization. We are constantly expanding the range of services in the field of translation and interpretation, as well as in other areas related to the use of the foreign language and the creation of texts. We improve the company’s positioning in the market, implementing competent and timely innovations.
The Code does not cover all possible cases that may arise. We believe that our employees and language specialists, representing the interests of Translation House Skrivanek OOD, will make decisions on matters not covered here, based on the requirements of the law and our three main principles – responsibility, reliability and trust, and if necessary will contact management for instructions.
Our greatest asset is our employees and language specialists, for whom we provide an open, honest and professionally calm working environment based on mutual loyalty and respect for personal space. We create an opportunity to develop competencies, knowledge and skills and increase the organizational culture of employees. Every employee and language specialist is responsible for preserving the working atmosphere, the reputation of the company and the prestige of the employer in society.
We comply with legislation and respect local cultural traditions.
The main business principle of Translation House Skrivanek OOD is compliance with local legislation, which defines the rules for business activity and commercial practice, labor and tax laws, data protection, occupational safety standards. We provide correct and honest information about our financial activities, opposing corruption. We maintain the opinion that unnecessary payments and gifts are unacceptable and we declare ourselves to be a healthy business competitive environment. The making of every business decision is completely free from doubts about conflict of interest. We comply with the rules and standards applicable or customary in the field of translation. Our reputation is built on this commitment. Our prosperity is based on integrity, high quality and honesty. We respect local cultural traditions and observe them, unless they conflict with legislation, in which case it comes first. We thrive in a highly competitive environment and promote our business interests by all reasonable and permissible methods. We provide the highest quality to our customers, complying with the laws of free competition and antitrust legislation. We do not tolerate dishonest approaches that are contrary to good morals and we comply with all anti-corruption laws. We achieve professional success by maintaining stable and balanced relationships with partners and suppliers.
Confidentiality
Translation House Skrivanek OOD processes the information entrusted to the company reasonably and responsibly. Our employees and linguists maintain the confidentiality of all client documents and materials where such information is not publicly available. We do not store information that is not necessary to fulfill the order. We maintain our internal accounting system and our cyber security. Confidential information is a professional asset that we handle only within the scope of our official duties. It also includes our network of business contacts, supplier lists and customer information, contracts, business plans and strategies, marketing of prices and services, non-public financial results and more. Unauthorized disclosure or destruction of confidential data harms our business interests and profitability, and any misuse of it or our know-how will be prosecuted by all legal means. The confidential information of our partners, which has been disclosed to the company as a result of the cooperation, is under care and protection because we strictly follow the confidentiality principles agreed by both parties. We strictly protect the personal data of employees, former employees, job applicants, customers, suppliers and other affected persons. We respect the right to privacy and maintain strict confidentiality of information for all contributors. We are a language solutions company and our main business is providing translation and interpretation. We implement long-term projects and daily accept orders of any nature, but we reserve the right to refuse when the topics are morally unacceptable. Texts that deal with ideas or incitement to the use of weapons, drugs, violent sex, racial, gender, minority discrimination, etc. with an ethically deviant character, are not within the scope of our activity.
We work together
Our organizational model is built on established cultural norms of behavior. Every employee is aware of and has adopted the company’s values, mission and vision, necessary for the realization of the company’s strategy. Our work is judged by how responsive and caring our employees and language specialists are to the quality of customer service. We are an employer with a well-developed social responsibility. Our employees are important partners from whom we demand a high level of responsibility, and in return we share with them the benefits of economic success. We respect each person’s personality and encourage an open and free exchange of opinions and ideas. The fact that employees have different opinions and beliefs helps us to be a creative, successful growing company. Any negative, aggressive or discriminatory attitude towards our employees, language specialists, customers and cooperation partners is unacceptable. We strive to attract, motivate and retain the best and uphold our commitment to providing equal employment opportunities to all. The principle of equality is observed in the development and improvement of their skills if the qualification and quality of their work meet the set requirements. We do not tolerate discrimination based on origin, skin color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical condition and any other personal characteristic.
Misuse of the company’s name or conflict of interest is unacceptable in our professional environment. Financial discipline is based on strict compliance with legal requirements. Transparency and accuracy are our top priority. Financial reporting is subject to strict standards and regular audits. The assets of the company are its property and the tools used in the work process by the employees are entrusted to them with responsibility for protection against damage, loss, misuse, theft, misappropriation or destruction.
Negligence or waste is unacceptable and such actions may be punished in accordance with applicable law. Resources, including intellectual property, are used solely for the benefit of the company.
Quality of services provided
We want our customers to trust us, so we are constantly working to improve our activity, providing quality services and developing in step with the times. We are responsible for and use quality management systems that we regularly review and improve in accordance with the requirements in the field of language services. We do not mislead our customers about the quality we guarantee, and in case of problems, we investigate and make the necessary corrections. For any situation that may negatively affect the performance of the service, the project coordinator or the management of Translation House Skrivanek OOD is immediately informed. Such cases are investigated as a matter of priority by the management and the necessary actions are taken to protect the interests of the client and Translation House Skrivanek OOD. It is the duty of the language specialist to inform the project coordinator if he lacks information or tools to ensure high quality and timeliness of the service. We care about our customers, so their positive feedback and recommendations are an incentive to achieve even better results.
Cooperation with suppliers
Our cooperation with suppliers is part of the long-term development of our business, which is why we choose them with great care. We evaluate and consider their reputation, responsible business activity and our desire to maintain our cooperation in the future. We are open about our partner selection criteria and are ready to provide more information to those who have not met them.
Politics and religion
We cooperate and interact with state institutions and government and as representatives of our professional guild we participate in the discussion of public issues. Translation House Skrivanek OOD does not support any political parties and politicians, religious movements or organizations, neither financially nor in any other way.
Employees and language specialists may express their views only in a personal capacity, without engaging and acting on behalf of the company. The work environment and resources cannot be used as a platform for personal support and must follow the procedure provided for in the legislation. Actions that can be assessed as illegal or suspicious of corruption are not allowed. Skrivanek Translation House Ltd. supports clear, professional and financially justified participation in charitable and cultural events. Any support must be clearly and categorically planned and justified with an assessment of the prospective development of the company as a result of such cooperation and the desired long-term effect on society.
Gifts and additional compensations
Management and language specialists may give and receive symbolic gifts if they are tied to the business interests of Translation House Skrivanek OOD and do not exceed the norms set by legislation.
It is permissible to participate in lunches or dinners related to business activity, or in events such as conferences and seminars, thematically determined by the nature of our activity. Gifts cannot have a monetary value, including vouchers, visits to expensive restaurants and places of entertainment from cooperation partners during the period in which they represent the interests of Translation House Skrivanek OOD. Expensive gifts must be returned to the giver and it must be explained that they are outside the scope of the code of conduct. If the gift cannot be returned, it is given to management, who will redirect it to a charitable cause.
Environmental care
Our professional activity is also in line with our care for the environment. We consider how we as a team and each of our members can make an impact on the responsible use of natural resources. We consider how materials can be reused, sorted, recycled and disposed of, and follow the most rational approach policy we have adopted.
Leadership role at Translation House Skrivanek OOD
The managers represent the interests of Translation House Skrivanek OOD. Only they or persons authorized by them may represent it officially at events or in the public media. Managers also have the additional responsibility of being a model of ethical behavior, maintaining, encouraging and supporting it in the company. The role of managers is to assist and assist employees and language professionals in responding to issues related to ethics, honesty and trust. They may not, under any circumstances, give direct or indirect orders, as well as allow violations of the Code of Conduct. Our managers are required to take the time to review each ethics case, explain the code to new employees, and be available in case of questions or concerns to help provide answers and solutions.