Every individual deserves to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect. We value each person’s unique qualities. We collaborate, encourage contributions, and develop our people through teamwork, exposure and training.
We treat everyone with consideration and equally regardless of religion, race, color, ethnicity, gender, age, nationality, political opinion, union affiliation, family situation, sexual orientation, disability, physical challenges, or other characteristics.
We oppose any form of discrimination or harassment (whether verbal, moral or sexual), intimidation, threats, humiliation and violence.
What does it mean?
Let’s take a closer look at the fundamentals that structure our work environment.
ST’s founding principles:
- Respect, which is the recognition and consideration of others. It involves listening to people and treating them with consideration, politeness and fairness.
- Fair treatment, which means ensuring that all interactions are equitable and grounded in the principles of justice, free from bias and prejudice. It involves treating everyone with impartiality.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), which refers to the principles and practices that ensure all individuals are supported and valued for their unique contributions.
What ST does not tolerate:
- Discrimination, which refers to a different treatment of people based on their characteristics and is prohibited by law. Discrimination can manifest in various forms, including preconceived opinions, exclusion, denial of opportunities, harm and biased decision-making.
- Harassment, which involves a range of unwelcome and offensive behaviors that create an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment. Harassment can take many forms, including verbal, physical and psychological abuse (bullying, "jokes", intimidation, humiliation).
- Sexual harassment, which includes unwanted sexual advance, requests for sexual favors and other conducts of a sexual nature, whether verbal of physical.
Our Do’s
- We conduct ourselves with openness and simplicity, building trusted relationships.
- We foster a safe work environment.
- We encourage open communication, continuous feedback and the sharing of ideas.
- We support diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our work.
- We empower our employees by providing them necessary training, awareness, and resources.
- We aim at continuous learning and improvement.
- We do not tolerate any form of retaliation.
- We listen attentively.
Fostering a respectful work environment
in practice
Because real life is rarely as clear-cut as theory, here are the answers to a few questions you might have
I’ve noticed that several colleagues often leave a teammate out of conversations, dismiss their ideas, and exclude them from all group activities. The atmosphere is becoming tense and unpleasant. What should I do?
Do not ignore this behavior. When colleagues exclude or undermine someone, it can create a toxic work environment that can amount to harassment or discrimination. Such actions harm both the targeted individual and the entire team. Report the behavior to the Ethics Hotline so the situation can be properly assessed. Everyone deserves respect and support at work, and fostering an inclusive, positive atmosphere is a shared responsibility.
A new employee in my team tells offensive jokes about gender, race, politics, or religion at the coffee machine. What should I do?
They are creating an uncomfortable work environment, which is not respecting co-workers nor following our Code of Conduct. Discuss this situation with your manager or HR. Alternatively, report the behavior to the Ethics Hotline.