Joist Software - Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Policy

1. Introduction

At Joist Software, we believe that responsible business practices are fundamental to our long-term success and to the well-being of the communities in which we operate. This Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy outlines our commitment to conducting our business ethically and sustainably, considering our impact on our employees, customers, the environment, and society at large.

We are dedicated to integrating CSR into our core business strategy and operations, ensuring that our actions align with our values and contribute positively to the world around us. This policy serves as a guiding framework for our decisions and activities.

2. Our Commitment

Joist Software is committed to:

• Operating our business with integrity, transparency, and accountability.
• Minimising our environmental footprint and promoting sustainable practices.
• Fostering a positive, inclusive, and safe working environment for all our employees.
• Contributing positively to our local and wider communities.
• Ensuring ethical conduct in all our dealings with customers, suppliers, and partners.

3. Key Areas of Focus

3.1. Environment

Joist Software recognises its responsibility to protect the environment and mitigate its environmental impact. We are committed to:

• Resource Efficiency: Striving to reduce our consumption of energy, water, and other natural resources through efficient operations and technological solutions.
• Waste Management: Implementing effective waste reduction, reuse, and recycling programmes within our offices.
• Carbon Footprint: Investigating and implementing measures to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, including encouraging sustainable commuting options and optimising energy usage in our data centres (where applicable).
• Sustainable Sourcing: Prioritising suppliers who demonstrate a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability.
• Digital Responsibility: Promoting the use of digital solutions to reduce paper consumption and travel, aligning with our software development focus.

3.2. Workplace

Our employees are our most valuable asset. Joist Software is committed to creating a supportive, equitable, and engaging workplace by:

• Health and Safety: Providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, adhering to all relevant health and safety regulations.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Promoting a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion where all individuals are respected, valued, and have equal opportunities for growth, regardless of their background, gender, race, ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic.
• Employee Development: Investing in the training and development of our employees, providing opportunities for skill enhancement and career progression.
• Fair Employment Practices: Adhering to all labour laws, offering fair wages, benefits, and working conditions, and upholding human rights.
• Work-Life Balance: Supporting a healthy work-life balance for our employees.

3.3. Community

Joist Software aims to be a responsible corporate citizen, contributing positively to the communities in which we operate. We will achieve this by:

• Local Engagement: Seeking opportunities to engage with local communities and support local initiatives.
• Charitable Giving: Considering donations to charitable organisations aligned with our values or identified by our employees.
• Volunteering: Encouraging and supporting employee participation in volunteering activities during work hours or outside of them.
• Knowledge Sharing: Exploring opportunities to share our expertise in software and technology with educational institutions or non-profit organisations.

3.4. Marketplace and Customers

Our relationships with customers and partners are built on trust and ethical conduct. Joist Software is committed to:

• Ethical Business Practices: Conducting all business activities with the highest standards of integrity, honesty, and fairness, free from corruption, bribery, or anti-competitive behaviour.
• Customer Satisfaction: Providing high-quality software products and services that meet our customers' needs and expectations, ensuring prompt and effective customer support.
• Data Privacy and Security: Protecting customer and stakeholder data with the utmost care, adhering to all relevant data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) and best practices.
• Responsible Marketing: Ensuring that all marketing and advertising is truthful, clear, and not misleading.

3.5. Supply Chain

Joist Software is committed to working with suppliers and partners who share our commitment to ethical and responsible practices. We will:

• Due Diligence: Conduct due diligence on key suppliers to ensure they adhere to ethical labour practices, environmental standards, and legal compliance.
• Transparency: Encourage transparency within our supply chain.

4. Implementation and Monitoring

This CSR policy will be implemented throughout all levels of Joist Software. We will:

• Communicate this policy to all employees and relevant stakeholders.
• Integrate CSR considerations into our business decision-making processes.
• Assign responsibility for specific CSR initiatives to appropriate departments or individuals.
• Monitor our performance against the commitments outlined in this policy, using relevant metrics where appropriate.
• Encourage feedback from employees, customers, and stakeholders on our CSR performance.