Our CSR Policy and Net Zero Pledge | Learn More Here

Net Zero Pledge

 

Arrow County Supplies - Carbon Reduction Plan 2023-24

 

People

Our staff are our most important asset. We support all employees in their career, with training and development plans forming part of our annual appraisal process to support career progression, and training and resource provided as required to support staff in their role.

Avoiding Exploitative Employment

We ensure fair employment practices and avoid exploitative employment practices through:

  • Paying at least the Living Wage to all employees.

  • Offering fair and equal pay, relevant Health and Safety training and working rights to all employees (including temporary staff).

  • Reviewing any warehouse agency staff monthly to ensure no inappropriate use of “umbrella” companies and ongoing requirements are considered for permanent headcount.

  • Using recruitment agencies demonstrating high-quality standards (e.g. The Recruitment & Employment Confederation).

  • Performing full Right-to-Work and DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks.

  • Abiding by the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

  • Probationary Process for all employees with agreed objectives and role-specific processes and procedures (ISO9001 accredited).

  • No staff employed on a zero-hours contract.

  • Offering flexi-time and consideration of career break requests to help employees manage a healthy work/life balance.

  • Flexible working including ‘family friendly’ leave and pay policies.

 

Improving Staff Diversity

Arrow’s Equality and Diversity Policy supports an ongoing commitment to equal opportunities and value diversity, with staff selected and working free from discrimination, victimisation and harassment. We ensure this by:

  • Conducting regular workforce audits to review equality metrics, taking action as necessary.

  • Building equality considerations into recruitment, training and development and measuring success within selection, training attainment, pay and promotion.

  • All conditions of employment, employee benefits and services apply to all employees irrespective of any protected characteristics.

  • Making reasonable adjustments to the working environment for staff with disabilities and health conditions (e.g. special headsets for staff with hearing difficulties).

  • Proactively using graduate and apprenticeship recruitment schemes and providing work experience opportunities.

 

Employee Representation

We place a high value on all staff “having their say” and regularly seek feedback on all activities of the business. We ensure this through:

  • Regular “Employee Insight” anonymised questionnaires were sent to all staff to evaluate engagement and wellbeing.

  • Role-specific reward and recognition systems linked to targets and performance.

  • Regular engagement through communication channels - e.g. email briefings on technical, operational and business issues and weekly updates to the Company Noticeboards for business, personnel and recruitment topics.

  • “Arrow Value” cards – we actively encourage staff to reward others, recognising and praising good behaviour reflective of the Arrow Values.

  • Quarterly “Company Updates”, where all Arrow staff are invited to hear about the key projects across the business.

  • ‘The Circle’ employee group, providing employee perspective and voice at senior management level..

  • Company whistleblowing policy, allowing employees to raise any concerns confidentially and without fear of repercussion.

 

Staff Training

It is important to us that we nurture talent and fulfil an individual’s potential through a “Best Practice” approach. Ways in which we ensure our workforce is happy at work and their skills are maximised include:

  • The Arrow Training Matrix: All staff have access to training and development opportunities and are actively encouraged to discuss training needs at regular 1-2-1 review meetings. The objective setting around training and development forms a large part of the Annual Appraisal process.

  • Encouraging staff with over 12 months’ service to request a support (as funds and/or time), to help them increase their skillset and expertise, furthering their role potential.

  • Actively encouraging our staff to move within the business to maximise their skills and experience where a desire and business need coexist.

  • Providing departmental training, using specialist external training providers

 

Employee Code of Conduct

The Arrow Code of Conduct applies to all employees working at Arrow. It summarizes key policies, standards and procedures, ensuring all staff adhere to the expected Arrow standards. We ensure all staff fully understand and agree to this code of conduct prior to commencing employment with the company, and an explanation of the code of conduct is a mandatory part of our new starter induction process. Additionally, all employees are provided with a hard copy ‘handbook’ to ensure ongoing compliance throughout the duration of their employment.