SODEXHO ALLIANCE Act as a corporate citizen Report 2005-2006

Vision and strategy Profi le Overview of our initiatives Overall performance
Our clients Our customers Our employees Our suppliers Our shareholders Host countries
Our Code of Ethical Conduct for suppliers
in North America
In North America, our suppliers comply with a Code of Conduct
based on ILO (International Labor Organization) standards.
At our request, suppliers sign a code of conduct covering
the following areas:
• Child Labor – Suppliers are prohibited from using workers
under the legal age of employment in any country or local
jurisdiction where the supplier performs work for Sodexho.
If the minimum age of employment is not defi ned, the
minimum age of employment shall be 15 years of age.
• Forced Labor – Sodexho will not tolerate the use of
indentured, slave, bonded or other forced involuntary labor by
its suppliers.
• Wages And Benefi ts - Suppliers shall not pay less than the
minimum wage in accordance with local laws or the prevailing
market, whichever is higher.
• Working Hours – Suppliers shall maintain reasonable
employee work hours in compliance with local standards and
applicable national laws of the countries and regions in which
the supplier does business.
• Health And Safety Guidelines – Suppliers must share
Sodexho’s commitment to providing a safe and healthy
workplace, in compliance with local laws.
• Freedom Of Association – Employees of suppliers shall be
free to join organizations of their own choice. Employees shall
not be subject to intimidation.
ZOOM ON THE CODE OF ETHICS FOR THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT, FRANCE
By signing the French subsidiary’s
Code of Ethics, Purchasing
Department teams have committed
to complying with Sodexho’s ethical
principles and Corporate Citizenship
values. The Code defi nes principles
that must be respected when
dealing with suppliers, with
the goal of maintaining equitable,
long-term relations with partners.
LOYALTY
“Sodexho shares with its partners
a number of common objectives
based on mutual trust, which
supports loyal relationships among
the various stakeholders.”
Confi dentiality: All information
received from suppliers must
remain confi dential, just as Sodexho
insists on the same confi dentiality
for the data it provides to its
partners. Buyers have an obligation
50
to confi dentiality and discretion
with regard to a supplier’s
capabilities and expertise.
Environment: Buyers represent
Sodexho and act in the Group’s
name. Consequently, they recognize
their own responsibility with regard
to the Group’s image, reputation,
principles and policies, and in
particular its ethical principles and
sustainable development
commitments.
Commitment: Buyers must comply
with commitments made to
suppliers and, if necessary, remind
others within the organization of
these commitments and the
importance of respecting them.
Buyers must be as consistent as
possible with all company
stakeholders who are in contact
with the supplier.
• Non-Discrimination – Suppliers shall not discriminate
against employees in hiring, promotion, salary, performance
appraisal or any other term or condition of work, on the basis
of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation,
religion, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law.
• Disciplinary Practices/Coercion – Everyone shall be
treated with dignity. Suppliers shall not infl ict or threaten
to infl ict corporal punishment or any other forms of physical,
sexual, psychological or verbal abuse or harassment on any
employees.
• Environmental Guidelines – Sodexho will actively seek
suppliers that share our commitment to environmental
protection, energy conservation, recycling and proper
disposal of waste, as well as environmental restoration.
• Community Involvement – Sodexho seeks partnerships with
suppliers that work with local governments and communities
to improve the educational, cultural, economic and social
wellbeing of the communities.
• Ethical Standards – Sodexho seeks to identify and work with
suppliers that aspire to conduct all of their business according
to a set of ethical standards not incompatible with our own.
• Confl icts Of Interest – Suppliers may not give Sodexho
employees a gift with a value in excess of US$100 and may
not bribe foreign offi cials or any other parties to benefi t the
Company, its employees or its business.
• Communication – Suppliers are encouraged to take
appropriate steps to ensure that the provisions of the Code
are communicated to their employees and throughout their
own supply chain.