It has never been more important for businesses to regain trust and show they care about more than just profit.

The Good Business Charter exists for all companies, charities and public sector organisations across all industries and sectors and works through a simple online self-certification process. At a time when people are caring more about who they work for and who they buy from, the Good Business Charter offers a straightforward accreditation which recognises organisations which prioritise and care for their employees, the environment, customers and suppliers whilst also paying their taxes according to the spirit of the law.  The GBC and its members seek to inspire many other businesses to follow suit. 

The Good Business Charter has the support of both the CBI and the TUC, which both have trustee representation on its board. Other partners of the GBC include the Living Wage Foundation and the Prompt Payment Code. The GBC has been set up by a charity called the Good Business Foundation, and accreditation will be free for all companies in the first year.

Chairman of the GBC board, Simon Fox, said:

“The Good Business Charter brings together 10 standards, most of which already exist, but in separate places. We have brought them together to give a coherent overall position for businesses to aspire to. We believe that the GBC has enormous potential to change business practice for good.  We hope that because of its simplicity and cost effectiveness, it will quickly gain support.”

The GBC consists of 10 components, and more details for each of these components can be found on their website: www.goodbusinesscharter.com. As an organisation with under 51 employees:

1. We commit to pay our directly employed and regularly contracted staff the real living wage as defined by the Living Wage Foundation.
2. We commit to only use zero or minimal hours contracts when it is mutually beneficial and accepted by both us and the employee.
3. We will actively support and encourage employee well-being treating those with legitimate sickness in a fair and respectful manner and promote access to impartial support and advice for employees with physical and mental health needs.
4. We commit to having a way where every employee can make suggestions or raise issues with senior management.
5. We commit to have robust measures in place to encourage diversity at key stages of recruitment, selection and retention of employees and to prevent harassment or victimisation in the workplace.
6. We care about the environment and encourage the development of good environmental practice as an organisation, seeking to minimise our impact and commit to improve it.
7. We commit to pay our taxes where applicable, only use tax allowances for the purpose intended, and be transparent in our relationship with HMRC.
8. We have a clear commitment to our stakeholders and prioritise addressing and learning from stakeholder feedback, seeking to put negative issues right.
9. We commit to ethical sourcing of anything we purchase, such as by applying standards set out in the Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code where relevant. 
10. We commit to paying our suppliers promptly, and within at least 30 days.

If you would like more advice regarding the Good Business Charter, please contact us at info@gkaccountingservices.com or call us on 01269 508 081, where we will be more than happy to answer any of your questions. Or alternatively, you can contact Good Business Charter CEO Jennifer Herrera at jherrera@goodbusinesscharter.com. For more information, see their website www.goodbusinesscharter.com.