Purpose and scope
This policy outlines the foundational principles that shape sustainable development at Wequity. It applies to our entire business, including all employees, temporary employees, interns, freelancers and key suppliers. It serves as a baseline, with the understanding that legal provisions and regulations prevailing over this document shall be prioritised.
General principles
These principles form the bedrock of our commitment to sustainability at Wequity:
Conscious scaling
Our aim is to achieve value creation and grow our company in a way that upholds environmental integrity and respects the planetary boundaries. As such, we assess emission increases and other material environmental impacts in all significant business decisions. Additionally, we recognise the importance of considering social implications, ensuring our actions positively contribute to the well-being of our employees and the communities surrounding us. This commitment underscores our dedication to sustainable practices and responsible business conduct.
Trust and transparency
We value transparency and collaboration and strive to build strong relationships based on respect and constructive dialogue both internally and externally. We actively foster open communication, and this commitment guides our interactions and establishes a foundation of trust.
Integrity and compliance
We are committed to conducting our business ethically and responsibly, adhering to national law and EU laws, regulations, and industry standards, as it not only safeguards our reputation but also builds trust with our customers, partners, and communities. Through continuous learning, monitoring, and improvement, we strive to include integrity and compliance into the way we operate as we believe it fosters long-term sustainability and success.
Roles and responsibilities
Wequity is still a small company where all sustainability matters are handled by leadership. Our Board of Directors is responsible for approving the Sustainability Policy, while our leadership team oversees the evolution and execution of our sustainability initiatives. Our employees are expected to read the contents of this policy and be conscious of these matters in their daily activities. As we grow, we will continually assess and enhance our governance structures to ensure they align with the evolving landscape of ethical business practices.
Core sustainability matters at Wequity
In the following section, we outline the key sustainability matters to Wequity. These are areas where we have identified impacts, risks, or opportunities for our company and clarify our stance on them.
Social
Employee wellbeing
Our greatest asset is our people. We prioritise the well-being, growth, and satisfaction of our employees. We also strive to ensure fair wages and provide safe and comfortable working conditions for all. All of our employees are covered comprehensive health care services, including mental health support. We have zero-tolerance for any kind of discrimination or inappropriate treatment.
Diversity, equity and inclusion
We foster an inclusive, diverse, and supportive workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered. This is reflected in our hiring processes, our meeting practices and regular bi-weekly feedback sessions with all our employees. We are transparent and inclusive in our decision-making, our metrics, accounts and board meetings and give our employees as much say as possible.
Work-life balance
Our commitment to a healthy work-life balance ensures that our team members can grow both personally and professionally. At Wequity, we offer flexible remote-working, host weekly sports sessions and host monthly social events, including after-work and dinners.
Environment
Energy consumption
We're committed to reducing energy usage across our operations through efficient technologies and best practices, aiming for sustainability and cost savings. From the moment that we have reached profitability and 1M ARR, we commit to launch an action plan to star closely measuring our energy consumption on an annual basis and assess where we can improve.
Carbon emissions
We're dedicated to minimising our carbon footprint. From the moment that we have reached profitability and 1M ARR, we commit to launch an action plan to by assess emissions annually, staring with covering our own operations (Scope 1 & Scope 2), transitioning to cleaner energy, optimising transportation, and promoting sustainability throughout our supply chain.
Circularity
As a digital business, we don’t process physical goods but we prioritise office recycling to minimise waste, promote sustainability, and contribute to a cleaner environment.
Governance
Cybersecurity
We uphold rigorous cybersecurity standards, including adherence to ISO 27001 protocols, to safeguard sensitive data, protect against cyber threats, and ensure the integrity and confidentiality of information across our organisation.
Anti bribery and corruption
We maintain a zero-tolerance stance against bribery and corruption in all our business dealings and actively work to install a culture of compliance. Any reports of misconduct are addressed by the Co-CEO’s directly.
Business conduct
Integrity and ethical conduct are non-negotiable principles at Wequity. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of business ethics, transparency, and accountability. Our governance practices prioritise fairness, honesty, and compliance with all applicable laws.
In conclusion, sustainability is not just a checkbox for Wequity, it is a guiding principle that shapes our decisions, policies, and partnerships. We believe that by prioritizing our employees, reducing our environmental impact, and upholding ethical business governance, we can contribute to a more sustainable and responsible future for all.
Gabriel Levie & Franck-Victor Laurant, Co-Founders, Wequity