1. Preamble
Since its foundation in 1969, PTA IT-Beratung has established a Code of Conduct as part of its corporate and organizational development. This Code of Conduct will continue to provide all employees at all branches, locations and work environments with a clear understanding of nationally and internationally recognized environmental, labor and social standards.
It is the declared goal of PTA and its shareholders that all activities and services contributing to the business success of PTA are based on these values and that all employees, managers and stakeholders are aware of these fundamentally important values and guidelines, live them and act accordingly.
These principles and values guide PTA’s actions in dealing with its business partners (in the sense of customers, suppliers and partner companies), other interested parties and all affiliated companies within the PTA Group. They are to be consistently implemented in the collaboration as far as it is within the PTA’s sphere of influence. PTA reserves the right to review its business partners’ compliance with the Code of Conduct in order to intervene if necessary or to offer to assist them in meeting the requirements set forth in this Code of Conduct.
2. Data protection, confidentiality, secrecy
Protecting and guaranteeing the confidentiality of our customers’ data forms the basis for a trusting cooperation.
As a general rule, all PTA employees have signed an explicit confidentiality agreement. This shall give rise to the obligation to protect and keep secret any confidential, personal and internal company information and, in particular, business and trade secrets which become known to PTA in the course of its activities for PTA or for a customer of PTA.
Confidential data includes in particular all contractual performance results such as program and source codes, documentation, data, data extracts and databases, surfaces, samples, drafts as well as drawings.
In particular, all employees have undertaken not to make this information, which has become accessible in the course of their work, directly or indirectly available to third parties – i.e. non-participating contractual partners (*) – or to use it in any other way.
In addition to this protection of company and business secrets, the management as well as the employees commit themselves to the DSGVO-compliant protection of personal data with the help of current technical and organizational measures.
The only exception to the above obligations is the disclosure of data and other information on the basis of statutory provisions or court or official orders. In such cases, disclosure must be notified to the respective other party in writing without delay, stating the content and scope.
(*) Involved contractual partners are usually the customer and the PTA.
3. Environmental, labor and social standards
PTA and all business partners are committed to conducting business in an ethical, legal and responsible manner and to aligning their business activities with the following values:
- Recognizing human rights and ensuring appropriate working conditions for all employees
- Minimizing the impact on the environment
- Use of high ethical and moral business standards
4. Human rights & working environment & employees
PTA expects all business partners to recognize, support and ensure compliance with the “United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights” (UDHR).
PTA and all business partners ensure that the working environment (machinery, equipment, work processes, etc.) does not endanger the physical integrity or health of people.
The workplace and its surroundings must have suitable emergency exits, sanitary facilities, fire protection, lighting, office equipment. In addition, care must be taken to protect non-smokers.
It goes without saying that child labor or forced labor are an absolute taboo for PTA as well as for our business partners and would lead to the immediate termination of the cooperation.
Neither PTA nor its business partners will permit discriminatory actions that could harm tolerance and acceptance for the diversity of all people (for example, skin color, gender, religious belief, political opinion, age, national, social or ethnic origin, family obligations) and cause exclusion, insult or other negative effects.
All business partners guarantee not to pay salaries or wages below the respective legally valid minimum wage regulations. This also includes fair compensation for overtime and adherence to required recovery times for breaks and vacation, so as not to endanger the safety and health of employees.
5. Environment
PTA is certified according to DIN EN ISO 9001. In the sense of the CIP (continuous improvement process) required herein, it is also a concern of the PTA to tap existing energy saving potentials and to promote energy-saving behaviors.
It is the principle for PTA and its business partners to observe all applicable laws and regulations for the protection of the environment within the scope of their business activities.
When handling waste or even any hazardous materials, ensure their safe handling, reuse or disposal. Processes to reduce waste and sustainable use of resources must always be promoted.
PTA and its business partners confirm that all products delivered for PTA are compliant with the EU Directive 2011/65 RoHS and the Ordinance on Electrical Substances (ElektroStoffV). The products and packaging comply with the REACh Regulation of the European Council (EC) No. 1907/2006. They are not included in the affected list and are free of prohibited substances according to the regulation. Otherwise, a list of affected products indicating the restriction is attached. In addition, the WEEE Directive (Waste of Electrical and Electronical Equipment – EU Directive 2012/19/EU) is observed. Furthermore, it is confirmed that the respective raw material suppliers do not import any materials such as gold, tantalum, tin, tungsten ore from conflict regions, for example the Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, and in accordance with the Dodd-Frank-Act Abs. 1502 act.
6. Ethical and moral business standards
PTA requires itself and its business partners to comply with applicable legal requirements at the national and international level in all business activities and to observe applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws and regulations in all its business activities.
Within the framework of its organization and management culture, the PTA has established guidelines that control the handling of gifts, invitations or the granting of other benefits within the company.
7. Language, equality & diversity
Since language has a very great influence on cooperation, we would like to express our point of view and our self-image at this point, without demanding binding standards.
PTA’s culture has always been and will always be gender-responsive, equal opportunity, and generally non-discriminatory. Any sign or incident that violates the above principles will be investigated, counteracted if necessary and sanctioned.
In this context, gender equality in the sense of equal opportunities and also securing the future is an explicit self-image of our corporate policy.
The freedom of personality of each person and employee is protected. But freedom of opinion and an open culture of discussion, debate and error are also key features of our company.
Consequently, we give all employees the freedom to choose his/her language, taking into account our non-discriminatory and gender-neutral culture. We recommend adapting the language in line with social changes in our communication and writing habits.
In concrete terms, this means that we all aim to be sensitive to this when addressing people in lectures, presentations and texts,
- Making gender visible (in the sense of colleague or just colleague:in),
- Ensure symmetry in the sense of balance as well as
- to use gender-neutral designations in case of doubt.
But this also means showing mutual tolerance and composure as the maxim of our actions. Thus, the collegial and tolerant cooperation of our company has been an essential success factor since its foundation.
8. Give hints and consequences
All business partners and employees of the group of companies have the opportunity to submit or make known reports of grievances – anonymously if desired – online, in writing or in a personal meeting.
It goes without saying that the confidentiality of the whistleblower is protected. Responsible for receiving and following up is the official complaints office as well as the management.
Anonymous tips can be given internally via this form(click here) or generally accessible via this link on the homepage(give tips).
In the event of a recognized violation of this Code of Conduct, PTA reserves the right to address the business partner, issue a warning and set a reasonable deadline for remedial action.
If the business partner allows the deadline to expire without taking remedial action or if there are repeated violations, the contractual relationship may be terminated without notice.
Further rights, in particular a possible claim for damages, shall remain unaffected.
> Note: All personal designations are to be understood as gender-neutral in case of doubt. <
