Code of Conduct
Approved by NoHo Partners’ Board of Directors in February 2023
NoHo Partners’ Code of Conduct defines how we operate as a company and in relation to our customers, partners and society. These ethical guidelines are based on our values, the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and the laws and guidelines concerning our operations.
The Code of Conduct is approved by NoHo Partners’ Board of Directors and is publicly available. We require all our employees, partners and companies we cooperate with to follow these guidelines. Through onboarding for new employees and regular training, we ensure that all employees have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the guidelines and, if they wish, get more information about the content.
Our values are people, entrepreneurship, quality, profitability and sustainability. For us, quality is essential in everything we do. This means that the customer feels that they are getting value for money. Quality always originates from the people in all roles, from waiters in the front-end to kitchen and back-office personnel. Financial and operational efficiency are our competitive advantages. Our success relies on the entrepreneurial attitude that is based on our core idea of the partner model. Our vision is to be a leading restaurant company in Northern Europe and grow into this role taking care of the people and the environment.
PEOPLE
We care about people and treat each other with respect.
People are our greatest asset. We are a reliable employer and take care of our employer obligations in accordance with valid laws and regulations as minimum. We behave respectfully towards each other in all work situations as well as a customer in NoHo restaurants, or when using other services offered as personnel benefits.
We are committed to promoting equality and inclusion in all our operations. We do not accept any kind of discrimination based on age, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, race, religion, political belief or any other criterion that violates the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. All employees have the right to a safe and diverse work environment, where everyone can do their job as well as possible, without fear of being the target of any kind of bullying or harassment.
Our goal is an accident-free workplace. We offer safety training and provide instructions for occupational health and safety. Each workplace has a designated person whose task it is to take care of sharing relevant information, training and reporting. Each employee is also obliged to report any unsafe working conditions, so that preventive measures can be taken.
We respect the privacy of our employees, customers and partners and do not, in any circumstances, talk about them in an identifiable way. We handle personal information appropriately and in compliance with privacy laws and regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We use the information in our possession only for the purpose for which it was originally collected and protect the collected data from misuse.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
We encourage an entrepreneurial attitude in all activities.
We have a unique operating model that emphasizes entrepreneurship, where strong local operators and brands come together in partnership and enable our financial success. We require employees, partners and collaborators to act honestly and responsibly and in compliance with competition legislation. We act in accordance with the company’s interests, and do not let family relationships or friendships influence any decision-making.
All illegal activities such as money laundering, bribery, extortion, tax evasion, or embezzlement are strictly prohibited. When noticing or suspecting any kind of illegal activity, every employee has a duty to report it.
In the hospitality industry, food, drink, restaurant and event experiences are at the core of the business. In our work, it is customary to offer and receive food and drink products and services as a part of business relationships. This type of moderate hospitality is permitted, provided that local, existing laws are followed.
We take care of the company’s equipment and supplies and only use them to promote employers’ operations. We handle the work-related data and confidential information in an appropriate manner and never use the information for personal gain. We do not forward any confidential work-related information inside or outside the company without permission.
We follow the company’s disclosure policy and uniform principles regarding the confidentiality and correctness of information in all communication channels, social media included. The CEO of NoHo Partners is the official spokesperson of the company and only he/she, or any other person delegated by him/her, may give statements on behalf of NoHo Partners.
QUALITY
Quality is essential in everything we do.
Restaurant operations are strictly regulated and monitored. We comply with all laws related to product safety and hygiene, and perform measurements and inspections regularly. Each NoHo Partners restaurant has a self-monitoring plan that we require to be followed. We use the guidelines and tools of Finnish Hospitality Association MaRa in the self-monitoring process.
We offer high-quality products from safe raw materials and whose origin can be traced. We take our customers’ food and drink allergies seriously and always take them into account when requested.
PROFITABILITY
In accordance with our strategy, we strive for profitable business growth.
Our operations are based on free and open competition in accordance with competition legislation. This benefits all parties. We follow good governance, operate transparently and do not enter into agreements that limit competitions, acquisitions or cause distortions in the market position.
NoHo Partners’ shares are listed on Nasdaq in Helsinki. We communicate the company’s business appropriately and according to the disclosure policy. The insider guidelines regarding NoHo Partners apply to all employees. The misuse or sharing of insider information to outsiders is illegal and strictly prohibited.
SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability is a shared issue that requires everyone’s commitment.
Sustainability is at the core of our growth strategy. We focus on sustainable procurement, mitigating environmental impact, responsibility towards people and good governance. We have a model for sustainability management which is divided into strategic, tactical and operational levels. Each level defines the role of NoHo employees on how to implement sustainability in their work. We measure the impact of our sustainability and report the results regularly.
COMPLIANCE WITH ETHICAL GUIDELINES AND REPORTING
Violations of the Code of Conduct can damage our company’s reputation and hinder us from acting in accordance with our values. All employees are obliged to report in case they notice or suspect Code of Conduct violations or other illegal activities. This can be done by directly contacting the Supervisor, Head of the Unit or Group’s Human Resources Director. We also offer a Whistleblowing channel for both internal and external stakeholders through which the reporting can be submitted anonymously.
We handle all reports confidentially and appropriately and if necessary, take the required measures. We have zero tolerance for retaliation of any kind against individuals who raise concerns, report misconduct or assist in investigations of potential violations. A person who files a report in good faith will not face any sanctions by NoHo Partners, even if the report is later found to be incorrect.
Failure to comply with this Code of Conduct may result in actions, such as termination of employment, other sanctions or legal actions.