Other Policies
COVID - 19
IDS is committed to the highest standards of Health and Safety to ensure we are COVID secure. We regularly update our procedures and are in full compliance with UK Government guidelines.
Control measures already implemented;
- Risk assessments – evaluation of risk levels and incorporating control measures
- Safe systems of work – safe method of working; this includes one way systems, compartmentalised packing stations, floor signage and even a personal waist kit bag containing a hand sanitiser and stationery.
- Hygiene etiquette – education on the importance of hand washing and personal hygiene
- Information posters – guidance on COVID19 awareness
- Hand sanitising stations – installed at all entrance and exits
- Hygiene screens – compartmentalised pods to maximise personal protection
- One-way systems – to minimise contact between team members
- Personal protective equipment – if safe distancing cannot be achieved, face masks and disposable gloves are used.
- Independent audit – external auditors have reviewed and documented report.
In addition to these comprehensive arrangements we continue to react in accordance with the latest COVID-19 UK Government guidance.
Our Showroom will re-open on 12th April by appointment only with a limit of 1 visitor or 2 from the same household, no overnight stays will be possible. A Virtual Showroom facility is currently available to enable you to safely browse from your own location, please contact us for details.
On behalf of the business and team we thank you for your continued custom and support during these times and look forward to welcoming you back to our even safer business.
Corporate & Social Responsibility
Behaving Responsibly
IDS has a long tradition of doing the right things for the right reasons. Since Anne started the business over 35 years ago, she has sought to do business in the correct and proper way.
Doing business the right way means more than being fair with your customers and staff, it means being a good citizen, behaving in an ethical manner in all aspects of the world we live in.
We at IDS believe we operate in a very principled way, and would like to share some of our initiatives with you.
Ethical Business
Honesty and respect
We believe in dealing in an open and honest manner with our customers and staff. We treat everyone we come into contact with in a respectful manner.
Ethical sourcing
IDS seeks to be an ethical organisation which only uses suppliers of the highest reputation and quality standards. If any allegations are made against a supplier in relation to the unfair or illegal treatment of workers, IDS shall investigate the allegation and work with that supplier in resolving any issues.
Our Commitment to Privacy
At IDS, we are committed to protecting your privacy. We welcome the changes to the data protection laws which we believe will bring about positive changes for organisations and individuals. We have been updating our policies and procedures to bring them in line with the new General Data Protection Regulation.
We will only use your information in line with our Privacy Policy. So for example, we use the information we collect about you to process orders and to inform you about developments. When you order, we need to know your name, email address, delivery address, credit or debit card details which allows us to process and fulfil your orders and to notify you of your order status. We also ask for your telephone number, this lets us contact you urgently if there is a problem with your order.
The law requires us to keep your data safe and secure and all data provided to IDS is treated with the utmost sensitivity. Data is coded using advanced techniques and is transferred via a maximum safety connection (SSL). Any account information provided can only be read by IDS authorised computer terminals and staff.
We may use your shopping history to help us advise you about merchandise that might interest you. We may also use the information we collect to occasionally notify you about important functionality changes to the website and special offers we think you will find valuable. If you would rather not receive this information, please send an email to e-mail(?) and you can also unsubscribe at any time using the links at the bottom of the emails we send you.
We only share your personal information with companies who provide services to us. For example when taking address details from you we do not pass these to third party companies other than for the purposes of delivery via carriers. We never share your email address or any telephone numbers given to us with third parties for marketing purposes.
If you would like to see our Privacy Policy, it is available here(link). It gives you important information about how we use your personal data, who we may share it with and your rights.
Environmental Sustainability
Commitment to Environmental Management
The Proprietors of IDS have resolved that environmental responsibility is important to them and their business. The business and its senior managers and employees will therefore promote that responsibility and develop sustainable practices throughout the business.
Our Policy is to:
Wholly support and comply with or exceed the requirements of current environmental legislation and codes of practice.
Minimise our waste and then re-use or recycle as much of it as possible.
Minimise energy and water usage in our buildings, vehicles and processes in order to conserve supplies and minimise our consumption of natural resources especially where they are non-renewable.
Operate and maintain company vehicles with due regard to environmental issues as far as reasonably practical and encourage the use of alternate means of transport and car sharing as appropriate.
Apply the principles of continuous improvement in respect of air, water, noise and light pollution from our premises and reduce any impacts from our operations on the environment and local community.
As far as possible purchase products and services that do the least damage to the environment and encourage others to do the same.
Assess the environmental impacts of any new processes or products we intend to introduce in advance.
Ensure that all employees and outside contractors understand our environmental policy and conform to the high standards it requires.
Address complaints about any breach of an environmental policy promptly and to the satisfaction of all concerned.
Update our environmental policy annually in consultation with staff, associates and customers.
Ensure that our policy is available to the public.
Use of Recycled Material and Recycling
We are very aware of our impact on the environment and aim to keep waste to a minimum in both the products we sell, and the products we use.
We also have in place a strict recycling policy in the office, with separate bins around the building for different recyclable materials, from paper to ink cartridges and batteries.
Paper
We use recycled or sustainable (PEFC or FSC) paper for all our corporate stationery, and monitor its usage to ensure our waste is reduced.
All paper or card we purchase should be recyclable or biodegradable.
We recycle all of our office paper, shredding all confidential documents. All non-confidential paper is recycled by the local council.
Packaging
Our cardboard boxes are 100% recycled. The tape we use is paper rather than plastic to aid in recycling by our customers.
All cardboard packaging we receive is flattened and recycled by Devon Contract Waste.
IT Equipment
We recycle all of our ink toner cartridges in special bins around the building.
All non-repairable electrical and electronic appliances are disposed of via Devon Contract Waste in accordance with WEEE regulations.
Data Cleansing
Currently, we mail one catalogue a year and several printed marketing pieces. Through more efficient data management we have been able to reduce the amount of wasted catalogues, and marketing literature. As our customers become more comfortable shopping on the internet, our ability to reduce paper increases and we monitor how we use this medium carefully.
Energy and Water
Our offices are heated and cooled by a centrally controlled system set on a summer/winter schedule. Any changes to the settings have to be approved by the Health and Safety Co-ordinator.
We ask all team members with access to computers to switch off their machines when not in use. All machines are checked prior to the building being locked up at night.
All staff are responsible for turning off lights that are not on motion sensors. All small electrical appliances are monitored and switched off accordingly.
Transport
We have a green transport policy in place and encourage the use of public transport, car pools, cycling and walking where possible. This includes a pool bicycle for staff usage, and all information is on notice boards in the staff room and on the company intranet.
Our company vehicles are regularly serviced and are checked for fuel efficiency, catalytic converter efficiency, emissions and battery life.
Community and Charity
Charity and Sponsorship
Each year the staff of IDS are asked to nominate a charity to support. At various stages throughout the year fund raising takes place and at the end of the year a presentation is made to that particular charity.
For 2010/2011 our chosen charity was The Brain and Spine Foundation.
For 2011/2012 our chosen charity was ShelterBox. www.shelterbox.org
For 2012/2013 our chosen charity was Children's Hospice Southwest - www.chsw.org.uk
For 2013/2014 our chosen charity was the Dance Teachers' Benevolent Fund - http://dtbf.co.uk
For 2014/2015 our chosen charity was Macmillan - www.macmillan.org.uk
For 2015/2016 our chosen charity was Chicks - www.chicks.org.uk
In addition, IDS work with Animals In Distress by providing them with excess stock to sell on. This helps us reduce our waste, and Animals in Distress raise funds for the work they do.
Supporting the Community
The team at IDS are involved in many efforts to support local education, business and charity.
IDS Founder Anne Walker continues to play an active part in many groups dedicated to improving the knowledge of business leaders in the UK, and South West in particular. She is also involved on a personal level mentoring several young entrepreneurs. She has recently been recognised for her mentoring efforts, being named a Modern Muse by Everywoman, for actively supporting several young women in their business ventures.
For further information on our Corporate & Social Responsibility Statement contact Alex Leonini (HR Manager).