Ethical principles

We comply with the laws, regulations and requirements applicable to our operations, as well as Helen’s internal policies and guidelines. We act honestly, with integrity and without discrimination within the Helen Group and in our relationships with customers, authorities, partners and other stakeholders. We exercise appropriate due diligence and seek to identify, mitigate and manage any potential adverse impacts of our operations. 

What does this mean for Helen? 

• We comply with the commitments and requirements applicable to our operations. We keep up to date with applicable legislation and regulatory requirements. 

• We require all our employees and business partners to comply with applicable laws and requirements. 

• We communicate openly and honestly about our operations. 

What does this mean for employees? 

• I am familiar with the rules and regulations relevant to my work and comply with them. 

• I comply with Helen’s policies, principles and guidelines. 

• I act honestly and with integrity. 

• If I am unsure about the appropriate course of action, I seek advice from my manager, Human Resources or a Helen Group legal counsel. 

Within the Helen Group, we respect internationally recognised human and labour rights, including those set out in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, as well as the rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining that apply to everyone. 

What does this mean for Helen? 

• We respect human and labour rights in all our operations and seek to promote their realisation within our sphere of influence. 

• We treat employees, customers, partners and other stakeholders equally, fairly and impartially. 

• We do not tolerate discrimination. 

• We require our contractual partners to ensure respect for human and labour rights. 

• We do not tolerate child labour, forced labour or labour exploitation. 

What does this mean for employees? 

• I respect the human and labour rights of all Helen employees and other individuals belonging to our stakeholder groups. 

• I do not discriminate against anyone on the basis of gender, age, origin, nationality, language, religion, belief, opinion, political activity, trade union activity, family relationships, health, disability, sexual orientation or any other reason related to the individual. 

• I intervene in cases of discriminatory or inappropriate treatment and report any misconduct I observe through the designated reporting channels. 

We comply with applicable competition laws, regulations and binding requirements, and expect our competitors and business partners to do the same. We recognise that practices that distort competition undermine the efficiency of our business operations. We actively combat the shadow economy. Fair and open competition is in the interests of all market participants. 

What does this mean for Helen? 

• We price our products and services independently and on a non-discriminatory basis. 

• We do not enter into agreements that restrict competition or abuse a dominant market position. 

• We use competitive tendering for the products and services we procure whenever possible and where a competitive market exists. 

• We do not tolerate the shadow economy in any form. We verify that our service providers are registered in the Trade Register, Prepayment Register, Employer Register and VAT Register. We ensure that companies have paid their taxes and statutory pension insurance contributions, complied with the applicable collective agreements or the key terms and conditions of employment in the sector, and arranged occupational health care. In cooperation with our suppliers, we also monitor compliance with the agreed requirements by subcontractors. 

• We provide our personnel with regular training on competition law. 

What does this mean for employees? 

• I do not disclose confidential information concerning Helen or Helen’s customers to third parties. 

• I do not discuss or agree on sales prices, discounts, margins, terms of sale or other confidential matters with competitors. 

• I do not discuss or agree on power plant operating schedules, maintenance programmes or outages with competitors. 

• I do not provide competitors with, or receive from competitors, estimates concerning future market price developments. 

• If a competitor proposes discussing confidential matters, I decline to respond or comment and immediately report the matter to a Helen legal counsel. 

• I do not discuss a customer’s request for quotation or terms of delivery with competitors. 

• I help prevent misconduct by verifying customers’ identities with sufficient certainty. I ensure that customers’ personal data is appropriately protected. 

• I intervene immediately if I notice that a person at a worksite does not have an identification card bearing their tax number. 

A conflict of interest may arise, for example, in the following situations: 

• An employee has a personal relationship with an individual, or a significant interest in a company, that does business with Helen. 

• An employee’s close relative is a supplier, customer or competitor of Helen, or works for such a company. 

• An employee is employed by a company that competes with Helen. 

• An employee has a personal relationship with their manager or subordinate. 

What does this mean for Helen? 

• We do not tolerate bribery in any form. We do not accept from or offer to stakeholders any personal benefits, gifts or similar items that go beyond customary hospitality. 

• We do not provide direct or indirect financial support to political parties, political organisations or individual politicians. 

• We do not use any intermediary, representative or other third party to carry out activities that are contrary to Helen’s ethical principles. 

• We do not offer, give or accept bribes or other similar benefits intended to influence business decisions or obtain preferential treatment. 

What does this mean for employees? 

• I always act in Helen’s best interests. I do not disparage my employer or publicly portray my employer in a negative light, for example on social media. 

• I report any actual or suspected conflicts of interest to my manager or a Helen Group legal counsel. 

• I do not accept or offer any gifts, hospitality, meals, travel or favours that could be considered excessive, that could be intended to influence decision-making, or that could otherwise be perceived as inappropriate. 

• I always consider the following first: 

• • Why is the gift being given? 

• • Will I feel under an obligation after accepting the gift? 

• • Can I openly tell my colleagues about the gift? 

• • How would accepting or giving the gift appear to an outside observer? 

• I do not attend paid events organised by political parties or politicians on behalf of Helen. 

• I notify Helen of any secondary employment and, where required, obtain permission for such employment. 

• I recuse myself from decision-making if the other party to the decision is a close relative or someone with whom I otherwise have a close personal relationship. 

In our business operations, we take into account climate change mitigation, the protection of air, water and soil, the use of natural resources, the circular economy and biodiversity. We are building a flexible energy system together with our customers and partners. 

Sustainable development 

We contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and seek to reduce the environmental impacts of our operations. 

What does this mean for Helen? 

• We are committed to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions throughout the entire life cycle in line with the Science Based Targets initiative’s 1.5°C target. 

• We invest in low-emission energy and make progress towards our emissions targets. 

• We identify, avoid and minimise adverse environmental impacts in our own operations and throughout our value chain. We require our suppliers to adhere to the same principles. 

• In our work on biodiversity, our long-term objective is to achieve a net positive impact, meaning that, overall, our operations have more positive than negative impacts on nature. We are currently updating our biodiversity strategy. 

• We communicate our objectives and measures as accurately as possible and direct readers to more detailed information. 

What does this mean for employees? 

• I understand the environmental impacts associated with my work and comply with applicable laws and regulations. 

• I communicate honestly about environmental impacts to customers, partners and other stakeholders. 

• I carry out measurements and reporting accurately and diligently. 

• I immediately report any suspected environmental non-compliance. 

• I keep the working environment clean and sort waste appropriately. 

• I take environmental impacts into account in procurement and comply with Helen’s procurement guidelines. 

Well-being and safety at work 

All Helen Group employees are entitled to fair treatment and equal and equitable opportunities. We do not tolerate discrimination, bullying, or the misuse of alcohol, drugs or other intoxicating substances. We respect each other’s privacy and the confidentiality of personal data. 

We promote well-being and health at work. A strong safety culture guides the Helen Group’s business operations. We ensure that all safety measures are up to date and continuously develop our safety culture. 

What does this mean for Helen? 

• We treat all employees equally and fairly. 

• We actively work to prevent all forms of discrimination. 

• We do not tolerate bullying or psychological violence. 

• We comply with the principles of our substance abuse policy. 

• Every Helen employee has the right to work without putting their health at risk. Our goal is zero accidents. 

• We comply with our Equality and Non-Discrimination Plan, which is updated annually. We assess the state of equality and non-discrimination annually. 

• When recruiting employees, we select the person best suited for the position regardless of nationality, ethnic origin, gender, age, political views, religious beliefs or sexual orientation. 

What does this mean for employees? 

Discrimination 

• I do not discriminate against anyone. 

• I intervene in cases of bullying and psychological violence. I tell the person engaging in such conduct that I do not accept their behaviour and ask them to stop. If the behaviour continues, I report the matter to my manager or their manager. 

Well-being at work 

• I take care of my own well-being and health at work. 

• I develop my professional skills and competence. 

• I contribute to developing my work and my workplace community. 

• I contribute to a positive working atmosphere and encourage others. 

• I also pay attention to the well-being of my colleagues. 

Occupational safety 

• I comply with the non-negotiable occupational safety rules. 

• I anticipate and avoid unnecessary risks. 

• I always use the required personal protective equipment. 

• I complete the occupational safety online course. 

• I report safety observations. 

Privacy and confidentiality of personal data 

• I lock my computer when I am not using it. 

• I use secure printing whenever I print documents containing personal data.