Code of conduct

We commit to acting ethically in our business and to the highest standards of honesty and integrity.

We respect UK laws, including the UK Bribery Act, the UK Modern Slavery Act and other national laws where relevant. We expect suppliers, associates and subcontractors to use appropriate systems to enable and monitor compliance with said laws.

We expect subcontractors to manage the risks in their own business and to work to standards consistent with ours.

Our policies:

Discrimination: We select subcontractors on their qualifications and merit, without discriminating on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

We will not knowingly produce editorial work that contains statements, suggestions or images offensive to public decency. We’ll always consider the potential impact of our work on the groups listed above.

Safety: We believe in safe, fair and freely chosen work and expect others we work and contract with to do the same. We do not tolerate sexual harassment, discrimination and offensive behaviour or using or possessing weapons on our or the client’s premises. In addition:

1. We do not use child labour
2. We pay our subcontractors according to applicable laws
3. We do not expect subcontractors to work more hours than the UK maximum

Drugs: We do not use, possess or distribute illegal drugs or work under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Confidentiality: We respect and treat all information about our business and clients as confidential and forbid the misuse of confidential or inside information for personal gain.

Data: We commit to protecting clients’ and subcontractors’ data under the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Human rights: We won’t work on anything intended to mislead. Nor will we consider work that may cause damage to our reputation, including clients contributing to human rights abuses.

Bribes: Giving, offering or accepting bribes of any sort is forbidden. All contractors must understand this policy by accepting our terms and conditions, for example, or signing a form.

We never offer any personal inducements to secure business. Appropriate entertainment or occasional minor gifts are okay unless a client restricts it. However, we do not accept goods or services of more than nominal value from anyone we work with.

Conflicts of interest: We will not allow personal or family conflicts of interest in our business, suppliers, or subcontractors.

We do not allow business contributions to politicians, political parties or campaign groups, such as providing services of less than market value.

Environment and sustainability: We strive to contribute positively to society and the environment, such as maintaining copywriting and proofreading ethics, respecting human rights and protecting the supply chain and the environment. We endeavour to recycle, reuse and substitute materials.

Subcontractors agree to inform us immediately should they learn of any breaches of the code or our policies or other matters that could harm Harmer Editorial’s reputation, whether directly or by association.

Escalation of conduct concerns: Clients can also raise a conduct concern with the CIEP, of which Alison Harmer is a Professional Member. Complaints about a member’s professional editorial conduct are handled under the CIEP’s Professional Practice Code, which includes a Professional Complaints Code setting out how such complaints are assessed and decided. (Members are also bound by the CIEP’s separate General Code of Conduct.)

Details of the CIEP’s membership codes and how to raise a complaint are on its website, ciep.uk.