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Corporate Responsibility


Frequently Asked Questions

Rentokil Initial receives many requests for information regarding matters relating to health, safety, the environment and Corporate Responsibility. While we are committed to public communication, we are anxious to streamline our approach to the provision of such information and avoid spending excessive amounts of time completing questionnaires. We have therefore developed this ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section of the web site, which seeks to address many of the common questions in this area, or refer you to other relevant parts of this web site where this information is available. We hope that organisations seeking information in this area will use this section as a primary port of call before contacting the company. We have no wish to discourage feedback, comments and enquiries from interested parties. If you would like to contact us, the relevant contact details are available.

This page answers questions on the topics listed below. Click a topic to jump to the answer.

Main Activities

Rentokil Initial is one of the largest business service companies in the world, with over 78,000 employees providing a range of support services. Our business operates in several areas including: Pest Control, Facilities Management, Tropical Plants, Washroom Services, Textiles and Parcels Delivery.

Geographical Reach

The company has operations in over 50 countries around the world, in Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and Africa. Please consult our company directory for a full list of countries.

CR Responsibilities

The board as a whole is responsible for ensuring that social and ethical considerations form part of the management function at all levels and Doug Flynn, Chief Executive, is the main board director with responsibility for CR matters. He reviews CR practice and performance with the board every six months, or more frequently if necessary.

CR Policies

The company has a wide range of CR policies, available for download in the ‘Environment’, ‘Health and Safety’ and ‘People’ sections. These govern our relations with key stakeholders such as employees, customers, suppliers and the community, and are reviewed on an annual basis. The company does not have a specific Human Rights Policy, but we believe that key areas relating to human rights that are relevant to our business are covered by existing policies. The company respects the rights of employees to belong to a trade union and participate in trade union activities (see policy on ‘Fundamental Rights of Employees’).

CR Procedures

The company has a range of well-established CR systems and procedures (described in the ‘Introduction’ section) which are supported by management reviews, training and performance management objectives. In the last few years, the company has also developed procedures which businesses are required to adopt and/or central standards which businesses are required to meet.

Environmental Procedures
Please refer to the ‘Environment’ section of the web site. One of the Environmental Good Practice Procedures covers supplier selection, and ensures that prioritised suppliers have effective environmental policies in place.
Health & Safety Procedures
Please refer to the ‘Health & Safety’ section of the web site.
Employee Procedures
Please refer to the ‘People’ section of the web site. Procedures to facilitate whistleblowing are included in one of the Employment Good Practice Guides. The guides include measures to avoid discrimination on the basis of gender, ethnic origin, religion, age, disability and sexual orientation.
Customer/Supplier Procedures
Please refer to the ‘People’ section of the web site.

Statistics

The company collects central statistics on the implementation of its CR standards and procedures worldwide, health and safety accident data in the UK, as well as water usage and carbon dioxide emissions within major European businesses. See 2006 Annual Review for latest information.

Targets

The company sets targets relating to the implementation of its CR standards and procedures. Targets for improvement in specific impact areas are set by individual businesses, but are not currently aggregated centrally.

External Auditing

Our CR performance at a company level is not currently externally audited, although our performance is externally assessed through our participation in indexes such as the Corporate Responsibility Index, and individual businesses have external accreditation with a variety of organisations (e.g. Investors in People, ISO).

Stakeholder Engagement

The company has identified its key stakeholders across all its businesses and enters into regular dialogue with shareholders, government, investor representatives, analysts and employees. Senior executives have made speeches internally advocating the group’s CR Policies or the values contained in them. Communication also takes place with customers, suppliers and community groups.

Memberships/Endorsements/Standards

Rentokil Initial is a member of Business in the Community. In addition, many of our businesses have accreditation from external organisations. About half of all UK operations (by staff number) meet ISO 9000 or TQM standards.

Public Reporting

The company believes that the Internet is the most appropriate vehicle for communication with external stakeholders, and has set up this dedicated web site for that purpose. The CR Review 2006 is now available for download in the ‘Reports and Achievements’ section of this web site. Commentary on Corporate Governance and CR are included in the 2006 Annual Report available for download in PDF or HTML option from the Investor Centre.

Community Involvement

Rentokil Initial’s activities and structure are such that our footprint or impact on the community is relatively modest. The company has adopted a policy on Community Involvement, and operates a staff matched-giving scheme to encourage employee involvement in charities. Specific community initiatives are left up to the individual businesses, although a supplemental central programme is in development. Please refer to the ‘People’ section of the web site for further details.

Political Donations

Rentokil Initial does not make contributions to political parties in the UK or elsewhere.

Corporate Governance

Please consult the Corporate Governance section in the 2006 Annual Report available for download in PDF from the Investor Centre.



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