Aawen Policies

Our Business

Of course our business majors on our design creativity, but we also have to ensure we provide a safe, ethical and sound business environment for ourselves, our staff, our clients and our suppliers.

We take our responsibilities seriously and wherever possible, have an ongoing review of all our policies to ensure they are fully integrated into our working practices and are not just boxes we can tick of a list.

Environmental Policy

Equal Opportunities

Health and Safety Policy

Social Responsibility

Environmental Policy

We know that common business practices can adversely affect the environment, simply through everyday activities such as business travel and disposal of company waste. Aawen Design Studio is committed to minimising the impact we have on the environment.

We have a number of core environmental principles (listed below), which we strive to adhere to and which are in constant review to ensure we act in the best interest of the environment on an ongoing basis and not just as a platitude for public approval. All of our employees are informed of these principles upon commencement of their employment and are encouraged to maintain and enhance them.

• As often as possible, we proof our designs via email to minimise the number of paper proofs we produce. This philosophy is also carried through to our other systems whenever we can to further reduce paper copies.
• We reduce our usage of energy and materials, or we re-use items wherever possible. However, if this is not appropriate we recycle any suitable waste products (such as paper, envelopes and packaging materials, organic waste, ink cartridges, CDs and electrical equipment).
• We encourage our clients to choose environmentally friendly paper for the print projects we manage for them. Whether it be paper from sustainable sources or fully recycled stock, we source and recommend brands that have the highest environmental accreditation. Similarly, for our in-house literature, we always specify that our print suppliers use environmentally friendly paper stocks and vegetable based inks.
• We procure other products and services from sustainable sources wherever commercially viable (preferably on a local basis to help with both the local economy and of course to minimise transport milage and its impact on the carbon economy).
• Improved energy efficiency in the equipment we use is attained wherever possible. We turn off our electrical equipment when not in use rather than leave it on stand-by.
• Water consumption is minimised through careful use.
• In order to decrease exhaust emissions and fuel consumption, employees are encouraged to use public transport or car-share whenever this is possible. Similarly, when off-site meetings are scheduled we actively seek to minimise fuel consumption by holding several meetings within the same geographical area.

Aawen Design Studio aims to work towards the continuous improvement of its environmental management and as such these policies are reviewed and amended on a regular basis.

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Equal Opportunities

Aawen Design Studio is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity in all of its activities, both as an employer and a service provider.

Aawen recognises that individuals/communities may face unlawful and/or unfair discrimination on the grounds of their race or ethnicity, disability, gender, sexual orientation, age, HIV status, language, background, physical or mental impairment, faith or belief, or physical appearance.

We believe that equality for all is a basic human right and oppose all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination.

We value diversity, and are determined to ensure: that we treat all individuals fairly, with dignity and respect; that the opportunities we provide are open to all; that we provide a safe, supportive and welcoming environment- for staff, for clients and for visitors.

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Health and Safety Policy Statement

Our objective at Aawen Design Studio is to provide a safe and healthy place of work for all staff members and to meet all our duties and obligations to our clients.

Our approach to Health & Safety as far as is reasonably practicable will be:

1. To Provide a Safe Place of Work.
2. To provide and maintain safe office equipment.
3. To continue to identify and control hazards.
4. To prevent as far as is reasonably possible, any improper conduct or behaviour likely to put the Safety, Health & Welfare of employees at risk.
5. To consult with staff on all Health & Safety matters.
6. To provide a safe means of entering and leaving the building.
7. To provide a safe system of work practices.
8. To provide appropriate information and training to staff members on a continuous basis, ensuring all employees are competent to do their tasks.
9. To review and revise this policy as necessary at regular intervals.
10. To make Health & Safety a key issue.

A full copy of our Health and Safety policy document can be made available on request.

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Social Responsibility

To align with our ethical standards in employment and environmental issues, Aawen is keenly aware of our wider social responsibility to the local community. To help us achieve our objectives in this area, in 2006 Aawen became an active a member of the Business in the Community "Pro-help Scheme". This scheme was created to allow businesses to contribute their services on a pro bono basis, to benefit community organisations who through lack of funds, would not ordinarily be recipients of these professional business services.

During our association with the Pro-help scheme we have been able to offer creative consultation and practical design services to a variety community organisations who have found our contribution to their development invaluable. Our genuine desire to support these organisations in a businesslike and effective manner has not only resulted in their prosperity, but has rewarded us with great personal satisfaction.

Similarly, we create design work for a number of local Charities and will often provide our services at either a reduced rate or even for free when we are able to do so responsibly.

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