Spectris believes in the fundamental rights of people in all parts of the world and is committed to adopting internationally recognised human rights standards wherever it operates.

Policy
The company's human rights policy, which can be viewed at www.spectris.com, is consistent with the Principles of Human Rights, as set out in the International Labour Organization's Core Conventions, and includes policies on non-discrimination, harassment, pay and forced labour. The policy is reviewed periodically and any updates are communicated to the operating companies. The Chief Executive has overall responsibility for human rights.

Spectris takes its commitments to human rights seriously and our operating companies are required to ensure that all employees are aware of the policy and understand it. In most of the operating companies, new employees are provided with an employee handbook which includes sections on employee responsibilities with regard to equal opportunities, non-discrimination, harassment, bullying, disciplinary practices, etc, and new employees must sign to say that they have read and understood this.

In Asia, the General Manager is responsible for ensuring that the highest ethical standards are maintained in all of our Asia-based operations. Spectris has a number of sales offices in China and also owns a factory which supplies high quality weighing components. This comprises a modern facility located in a business park along with other western companies. The factory employs skilled workers, adopts employment conditions consistent with best local practice, and pays wages that are higher than average for the area.

Spectris considers human rights as part of its due diligence process for acquisitions, ensuring that the core labour rights, including non-discrimination, equal opportunities and freedom of association, of the company to be acquired are taken into account.

Reporting
The Managing Director and Finance Director of each operating company are required to certify, on an annual basis, compliance with all Spectris policies. Any non-compliance is investigated by local human resources managers or by Spectris management or the internal audit function if it is serious. Pay practices are monitored to ensure they are non-discriminatory.

Circumstances may also come to light via the company's Whistleblowing policy, via which employees may report to the business's management team or any Board member, via a confidential email address, any concerns they may have over unethical business practices or conduct, dangers to health and safety, or breach of company policies. Any such disclosures are appropriately investigated. In addition, Spectris is committed to protecting the career and reputation of employees who report wrongdoing in accordance with established procedures, so long as their disclosures are delivered in good faith and seek to safeguard the best interests of the group.

Some individual operating companies also have their own Whistleblowing processes whereby employees can anonymously report concerns over discrimination, harassment etc.

Training
In the US, awareness training on harassment and discrimination is carried out, with companies providing regular refresher training on harassment and non-discrimination to all employees. In some companies there are worldwide programmes on corporate values and desired behaviour, with employees being measured against these values in their annual performance appraisals.