Our Global Commitment
Astute People Recruitment Limited (Astute) engages with a wide variety of people, including our employees, clients, candidates, suppliers, and the wider community. We integrate ethical recruitment practices across our business to ensure positive social impact.
It is important to us that we behave in a socially responsible manner while maintaining the highest quality standards. We understand social and environmental concerns, and our goal is to operate in a way that consistently adds value.
Stakeholder Expectations
Our business values and operations must meet the expectations of our stakeholders. This is why we continually review how Astute operates to maximise our effectiveness and ensure transparency.
Open Dialogue
We take feedback from our stakeholders very seriously and maintain open dialogue. This helps us fulfil our requirements, communicate our strategies openly, and ensure 'buy in' from all parties.
Sustainable Development
We hold a continual commitment to sustainable development, always looking for ways to improve our processes and minimise our footprint for the future.
Our Team In Action: CSR Events
Investing in Our People & Workplace
Our employees are our key assets. For this reason, we feel it is vital to offer a supportive, rewarding, and inclusive environment.
Employee Development & Wellbeing
Every member of staff receives a structured training and development programme. We monitor staff on a continual basis, identifying strengths and weaknesses to develop a programme that addresses key areas.
We encourage our employees to gain appropriate industry-related qualifications, often with financial assistance from the company.
We believe in building an enjoyable working environment that includes the opportunity for working flexible hours around a set of core hours. We also offer numerous benefits, ensuring our people's wellbeing is first and foremost part of our core values. Astute rewards employees for playing a part in the growth and ultimate success of the company, while maintaining a healthy work/life balance.
Health and Safety
Astute enforces a health and safety policy, ensuring that we identify and manage risk and consult with our employees on any issues which may affect their welfare.
We have invested in several employees to become First Aid and Mental Health First Aid trained and provide and maintain a safe office environment. All electrical equipment is routinely PAT tested.
Our employees understand the need to work in a safe manner to help prevent accidents and maintain healthy working conditions.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
Astute is an equal opportunities employer, supporting the principles of the Equal Opportunities Act 1976 and the Sex Discrimination Act 1975. We operate a diversity policy to ensure all candidates seek employment on an equal standing.
- We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer.
- Astute People has earned the prestigious Women in the Workplace Accreditation!
- We are actively trying to shine a light on Women in STEM to encourage the next generation of talent to consider careers in the sectors we recruit into.
We are committed to ensuring that no candidate will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, creed, disability, HIV status, sexual orientation, gender, marital or parental status, political belief, social or economic class or any other reason which Astute deems unjustifiable.
Our Community Impact & Partnerships
The Armed Forces Covenant
As a Portsmouth-based business with a strong connection to the military, Astute works closely with the armed forces. We are proud to be part of the Armed Forces Covenant pledge.
Local Support & Education
We actively support our local community and continue to be involved in several initiatives and events supporting local charities. We have taken part in numerous fundraising events, providing much needed funds and gifts for wards across our local hospital and the NHS.
As part of our commitment to education, Astute also works very closely with local schools, colleges, and universities to further develop future career opportunities by offering:
- Work experience placements
- Mock interviews
- CV writing lectures
- Career workshops
Environmental Responsibility & Energy Efficiency
Sustainable Operations & Waste Reduction
Astute is committed to operating in an environmentally friendly manner. We aim to minimise our consumption of natural resources and energy, while consuming material goods in moderation.
We work to reduce the creation of waste by adopting improved operating practices, such as running a virtually paperless office, submitting invoices electronically, and asking candidates to submit their CVs in electronic format.
Where we do create waste, we aim to recycle where possible. Astute has a range of recycling bins for various materials, and all waste is disposed of in a safe and responsible manner.
Our staff are trained and educated on key environmental factors, which is particularly important as we work with organisations in the environmental, power generation, renewables, and waste sectors.
Energy Conservation & Travel
We appreciate the need to operate in an energy efficient manner, especially as we work closely with several companies within the power generation and renewables sector.
We attempt to reduce our energy consumption by:
- Turning down the water heating system.
- Turning off lights when they are not being used.
- Unplugging mobile phones as soon as they have finished charging.
To reduce emissions, several employees share lifts to and from work and on client visits. Astute also offers a 'Cycle to Work' scheme to promote a healthier journey and reduce environmental pollution.
Related CSR Blogs & Coverage
Dive deeper into our specific commitments with these related articles: