How we operate

Social responsibility

Fair, honourable business practices — and an unwavering commitment to the health and welfare of every individual who works for or represents VTEK, our clients and the communities we serve.

VTEK Consultants Inc. is a privately held business founded on the principle of fair and honourable business practices — through policies and actions that protect the health and welfare of every person who works for or represents VTEK.

This includes contributing to the protection of our clients, our communities and our environment by minimising or eliminating impact through our designs and the way we conduct business.

We believe in — and uphold — respect, equal opportunity and fair treatment of people, because our people are our most important asset. Our policies and programs are intended to develop and encourage people to grow and use their skills for the betterment of themselves, our clients and our community. To improve quality of life for all and protect our environment is our ultimate objective.

Our business is built on principles that govern our actions and decisions, and is reflected in our Health, Safety and Environment Policy.

A priority

Occupational Health & Safety

The health and safety of our employees and stakeholders is a priority at VTEK, demonstrated by our “Zero Accident” program. VTEK’s Safety Management System, policies and safe-work practices are designed to eliminate the potential for incidents — including the protection of assets through prudent design and sound engineering practice.

Our culture promotes and encourages active participation in every aspect of HSE, so hazards or potential risks are identified and immediately addressed. All potential hazards are mitigated to as low as reasonably practicable.

VTEK provides the necessary training, tools and equipment so every employee has a solid understanding of safety. Rules, regulations, policies, safe-work practices and the right to work are clearly communicated and expected to be followed — starting with extensive orientation and mentorship, and supported at the senior-management level.

Before any work begins, a safety road-map or plan is developed and applied through the Safety Management System. Designs are systematically evaluated to ensure work can be executed safely and assets can be operated safely.

Each employee and stakeholder is expected to take ownership of a safe work culture, supported at every level of VTEK. No business objective is more important than the safety of our employees, clients, community and environment.

Our principles

People & environment

People

Every employee is valuable to VTEK’s success — and to our clients’. The safety, well-being and ability to work in a respectful, meaningful environment free of discrimination is our highest priority.

  • Strictly follow all applicable laws in every jurisdiction VTEK operates in.
  • Respect Human Rights principles and the duty to eliminate any form of discrimination or negative treatment of people.
  • Equal rights and opportunities without discrimination — regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, disability, or a conviction for which you have been granted a pardon.
  • Appropriate and fair compensation that reflects effort and assignment — equal regardless of gender for the same work.
  • Respect the duty to accommodate, working with employees to meet their needs.
  • Promote work–life balance with flexible programs.
  • Develop the skills and competency of every employee through fair and impartial opportunity.
  • Maintain a workplace free of harassment and discrimination.
  • Act with integrity in feedback, coaching and performance evaluations.
  • Support the training and development of employees.
  • Provide opportunities to participate in community and social events.

Environment

We are strongly committed to conserving and protecting the environment through our business practices and our designs. It’s an integral part of how we operate.

  • Minimise waste by evaluating internal operations for maximum efficiency.
  • Minimise toxic emissions by selecting equipment with the smallest environmental footprint.
  • Actively promote recycling internally and amongst clients and suppliers.
  • Source product ranges that minimise the environmental impact of production and distribution.
  • Meet or exceed all environmental legislation.
  • Apply designs and sound engineering practices that reduce environmental impact across the project lifecycle.
  • Buy local — reducing footprint and supporting local economies.
  • Support individual, community and client initiatives to protect our environment.
  • Audit for conformance and seek new opportunities to reduce, recycle and reuse.

Greening our business

Management systems and procedures designed to ensure responsible use of resources, minimise hazardous materials and energy, reduce waste and enable recycling and reuse:

  • Equipment must meet the highest efficiency standards.
  • Recycle used equipment and supplies.
  • Reduce consumption — minimise consumables such as paper.
  • Use e-commerce.
  • Bulk purchasing to reduce packaging.
  • Negotiate with landlords to install efficient equipment.
  • Reduce air travel through online video conferencing.
  • Use local resources to minimise travel impact.
  • Work-from-home policies to reduce air pollution.
  • Audit and measure performance.

VTEK promotes responsible environmental management by training employees, communicating our policy to suppliers and encouraging them to adopt effective environmental practices, and by gathering input from employees, suppliers, stakeholders and clients in meeting our environmental goals.

Our designs go beyond respecting environmental rules, regulations and standards. We challenge ourselves to find more efficient ways to reduce the project lifecycle’s footprint — through efficient designs and energy-efficient products. Environmental risks and impacts are assessed with suitable, sufficient controls to avoid or minimise adverse impact.

VTEK will continually challenge itself to improve environmental performance through design and operating procedure.