Each brand has a well-defined identity, with a specific values which are reflected in the product offering, features and design, as well as in appropriate communication mechanics.
We remain convinced that our balanced business model, combining profitable growth and a resolutely responsible approach, creates value for all and plays a full part in our contribution to better living in households around the world.
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2023 Half-year sales and results
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9-month 2023 sales and financial data
To formalize our ethical policy and values at international level, in 2012 we drafted a code of ethics;
Over the last 10 years, Groupe SEB has more than doubled in size, acquiring several companies (including EMSA and WMF in 2016 and Wilbur Curtis in 2018), and has become an increasingly international group. It now has close to 34,000 employees around the world, with around two-thirds of its workforce located outside of Europe. Since a common culture and a shared set of values are essential to a successful ethical approach, Groupe SEB has structured and formalized its policy in the form of a Code of Ethics, which was drafted in 2012. Translated into the Group’s 11 main languages, it has been distributed to all employees worldwide and is now available online on the Group’s intranet. This document addresses 18 key areas, including child labor, anti-corruption measures, non-discrimination, environmental protection and the prevention of conflicts of interest.
The implementation of the Code of Ethics in 2012 was backed up with close to 10,000 hours of training. In 2018, the Group launched a new wave of training to ensure that every employee understood the key concepts and knows how to act when faced with an ethical dilemma. At year-end 2019, 90% of 11,436 connected employees had taken the online training program, available in ten languages on the iGrow@SEB HR online platform. It consists of 6 modules designed in an interactive and fun manner. They comprise a theoretical component followed by a quiz and a case study where the employee is faced with an ethical issue. In order to make it as real-world as possible, this training was developed jointly by various Group departments: Sustainable Development, Training, Human Resources, Quality Standards & Environment, Audit and Internal Control, Purchasing, Legal, Health and Safety. This is included in the mandatory training for new employees. For employees without online access, classroom-based training began in 2019 and will be rolled out worldwide in 2020. Coordinated by the Human Resource managers and site managers, it focuses on areas considered priority and on specific cases tailored to local circumstances.
As part of the measures introduced to ensure that the Code of Ethics’ commitments are properly applied, in 2012 the Group set up a whistleblowing system so that any employee or person from outside the Group can report situations that violate the Code. It was also communicated to suppliers through the Responsible Purchasing Charter. The whistleblower process sets out the various steps for whistleblowers to follow to exercise their right, the people to be contacted, the information to be provided, the way in which reports are handled, the confidentiality rules and protection for whistleblowers, assuming they act in a selfless manner and in good faith. It is explained in the training on the Code of Ethics and made available to employees on the Group’s intranet.
Our growth and success are underpinned by strong values, held by each of our employees and deeply rooted in our history.