Vitality suppliers

We expect our suppliers to only seek competitive advantage in a legal manner, in a way that does not seek to prevent, restrict or distort competition within the common market or a substantial part of it. This includes not sharing information (including pricing information) or agreements with competitors, customers, suppliers or other third parties in any way that could be deemed as anti-competitive.

We expect our suppliers, and anyone acting on their behalf, to avoid any conflicts of interest that may adversely influence their business relationship with us. Where a conflict does arise suppliers must inform us as soon as possible.

We expect our suppliers to not offer any form of gift or hospitality to a Vitality employee for the purposes of influencing any business decision. All of our suppliers must conduct themselves to the highest ethical standards and comply with relevant legislation on bribery, corruption and prohibited business practice, particularly the UK Bribery Act, 2010.

We expect our suppliers to take appropriate measures to prevent themselves from being used as a channel for financial crime. This includes taking steps to protect against fraud, money laundering, terrorist financing, or any other form of financial crime.

We expect our suppliers to be prepared for any disruptions to their business (e.g. natural disasters, terrorism, software viruses, illness, pandemic, infectious diseases). This includes having documented business continuity plans which are regularly tested for effectiveness.

We expect our suppliers to take all possible measures to protect Vitality personal data when accessing, transferring, processing or storing it. This includes observing all local legislation at all times. Where an issue regarding Vitality’s personal data does arise the supplier must inform us as soon as possible. We expect our suppliers to retain business records pertaining to our relationship for the required amount of time, as set out in local legislation. Records should accurately reflect all business transactions. We expect our suppliers to return or safely dispose of any data at the end of our relationship.

We expect our suppliers to operate to the highest standards when it comes to looking after their employees.

Freedom of Association: We expect our suppliers to maintain constructive relationships with their employees. This includes observing local legislation regarding collective representation.

Diversity and equality: We expect our suppliers to treat, reward, and protect all of their employees equally regardless of race, colour, gender, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, age, or disability.

Workplace: We expect our suppliers to provide a working environment free from harassment, verbal, visual, physical abuse or any behaviour that creates an intimidating, offensive or hostile workplace.

Pay and benefits: We expect our suppliers to observe local regulations on pay and benefits. At a minimum this must be sufficient to meet basic needs of employees and their families.

Working hours: We expect our suppliers to observe local regulations on working hours. This includes ensuring that employees receive entitlement to annual leave and are permitted to at least one non-working day per seven days on average.

Forced or involuntary labour: We expect our suppliers to only employ people who have freely chosen to work, in line with the Modern Slavery Act, 2015. Therefore our suppliers must not engage in any form of human trafficking or forced, involuntary or debt bonded labour.

Child labour: We expect suppliers to avoid at all times the use of child labour. All local regulations regarding child labour must be observed. No person under the age of 15 (or where it is higher, the local mandatory school leaving age) must be employed. We expect suppliers who employ juveniles (individuals younger than 18 but higher than the legal minimum age) to observe the ILO Minimum Age Convention No. 138. This ensures that juveniles do not undertake work that may put their health, safety, or morals at risk. It is also expected that juveniles will not work overtime or at night.

Referencing: We expect our suppliers to undertake reasonable measures to ensure their employees have a legal right to work in that country.

We expect our suppliers to maintain a safe and hygienic working environment that ensures the health, safety and welfare of their people, visitors and contractors. This would be delivered through a formal health and safety management system such as Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS) 18001. We also expect our suppliers to commit to good environmental practices, such as seeking energy efficiency and reducing waste. This should be delivered via an environmental management system that meets the standards set out in ISO 14001.

We expect our suppliers to treat any information shared during our relationship to remain confidential and never used for personal or commercial gain.

We expect our suppliers to not make any form of public announcement or statement to the government, media or investors without our prior written consent (except where required by law or regulation). This also extends to any use of the Vitality brand.

We expect our suppliers to recognise their responsibilities to the communities in which they operate their businesses. We encourage our suppliers to contribute to the social and economic development of these communities.

We expect our suppliers to communicate this Code to their employees and to ensure it is fully understood. This includes providing any necessary training to its employees to ensure full adherence to this Code. We expect our suppliers to communicate and enforce this Code with any subcontractors and business partners who have responsibilities for fulfilling your contract with us.

We expect our suppliers to monitor their own compliance with the Code. This includes maintaining documentation that shows your compliance to this Code. If you know of any actual or potential breaches please report them as soon as possible to sourcing@vitality.co.uk. Vitality also reserves the right, upon reasonable notice, to check your compliance with this Code. Failure to adhere to this Code is considered a material breach of contract and may result in termination of your contract.