Corporate Responsibility
Ipsos MORI is committed to its corporate responsibilities, through our 'Ipsos MORI in the Wider World' programme. We focus on reducing our environmental impact and contributing to local communities, so making a positive contribution to the wider world. We have a Wider World Committee in each of our major sites (made up of staff volunteers) to drive local action and communicate our activities internally and externally.
Our efforts focus on the following areas:
Waste and recycling
Recyclable material is extracted from our office waste, and none of the remaining waste goes to landfill. Recycling points are available on all floors of our main offices. Our unwanted PCs are donated to be reconditioned and used by charities, used laser cartridges are also recycled for charity and copier toner bottles are turned into refuse sacks. Our plastic waste is used to create water butts, compost bins and drainpipes.
We launched a staff awareness campaign in July 2007 to encourage people to reduce the amount they print, recycle waste paper and cups, check whether clients need hard copy reports before printing, etc. Information on this is also included in training for new staff.
We use 9Lives 100% recycled paper for questionnaire and internal printing. This has an added benefit: for each tonne of paper we purchase, the German Manufacturer (Steinbeis Vision) will purchase two tonnes of London landfill waste. Last year as a result of our purchases, 67.2 tonnes of London waste that would otherwise have gone to landfill was instead recycled, composted or (as a last resort) incinerated. We are advised by London Remade, and we are currently piloting a range of recycled stationery products, aiming to mainstream these products in 2008. We have signed up to the Mayor's Green Procurement Code for London, abiding by its standards for the purchasing of environmentally-friendly goods.
Energy and water use
We purchase energy on a green energy tariff for one of our main offices, and we are looking to increase the proportion of our energy that comes from renewable sources.
We use energy-efficient light bulbs wherever possible, all photocopiers have timers to switch them off when not in use and all PCs are compliant with the relevant standard for energy efficiency. When refurbishment takes place, we install efficient heating and hot water systems and cisterns which minimise water use wherever possible.
Our staff awareness campaign encourages people to turn off their PCs and monitors at night, turn off office lights, etc. Information on this is also included in training for new staff.
Transport
Interest-free loans for public transport season tickets and bicycles are available to staff. Employee car parking is not subsidised.
Ipsos MORI provides facilities for cyclists where possible, and we are aiming to improve these facilities in our major sites by 2008.
Staff are encouraged to use public transport for business travel where possible.
Community contribution
All permanent employees receive up to two days paid time to volunteer for community activities, either participating in centrally organised Ipsos MORI team challenge days, or undertaking their own community activities.
In our matched giving scheme, the company will match the amount raised for charity among Ipsos MORI staff, up to £200 each time.
We have established links with local schools in one of our major sites, and are looking to make links with schools elsewhere, so that staff volunteers can help local primary and secondary school children with everything from reading and maths skills, to presentation skills and learning about local businesses.
Responsible research practices
Ipsos MORI prides itself on the high standards of professionalism and integrity shown in the research it conducts. We abide by all the relevant industry guidelines and codes of conduct, and have high levels of quality accreditation in place. This ensures we treat our respondents fairly, and give the highest standards of service to our clients.
The integrity of our work is particularly important when our research findings are published. Much of our research, particularly our work in the Social Research Institute in Public Affairs [link], has a potenitally beneficial social impact and we have a responsibility to ensure that our research findings entering the public domain are credible and accurate. All our research which is released is double-checked by a senior director from our 'Polls for Publication' panel, to ensure that the findings and their interpretation is accurate and unbiased.
Our company values outline how we expect people to behave towards one another within Ipsos MORI, and these include integrity (our words are true and our actions and motives are in keeping with our values) and partnership (we value our differences and respect each other as individuals).