Building on Integrity & Respect
Ethics & Compliance
Schnitzer’s independent Ethics and Compliance function is governed by its charter, through which our Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer follows direct reporting lines to both the CEO and the Board of Directors through its Audit Committee. Our Ethics and Compliance programs go beyond ensuring compliance with the law to establishing and maintaining the framework for how we treat one another and our stakeholders. By integrating ethically sound behaviors, we set an expectation of personal and organizational responsibility and build trust.
Maintaining a positive workplace and conducting business according to our Core Values of Safety, Sustainability, and Integrity require a common set of ethical rules, which we present in our Code of Conduct. The Code applies to all employees and leaders, including the Board of Directors, meant to further communicate the ways our shared values are reflected in our ethical standards and expectations for how we operate every day.
We also maintain a Supplier Code of Conduct to communicate ethical guidelines and establish parameters governing our relationships with those in our supply chain.
Our Codes of Conduct drive our culture of integrity, ethical decision-making, and accountability.
Building a Speak Up Culture
This year, Schnitzer’s Ethics Program launched an outreach and communication initiative titled, “Speak Up, Listen Up, Follow Up.”
- SPEAK UP—Creating an environment where employees feel comfortable raising concerns
- LISTEN UP—Preparing managers to receive and manage potential concerns from employees
- FOLLOW UP—Helping managers appropriately navigate an investigation and maintain employee trust
This initiative supports multiple existing channels for reporting potential concerns, including a third-party, confidential, multilingual misconduct reporting system, through which employees may choose to remain anonymous. In fiscal 2022, 100% of reported cases were investigated and resolved.
Schnitzer’s VP & Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, Callie Pappas, was named a 2022 Business Ethics Leadership Alliance (BELA) Emeritus, an award honoring those who have provided enduring and inspirational advocacy on compliance and ethics.
Schnitzer was recognized by Ethisphere as one of the 2022 World’s Most Ethical Companies®. This is the eighth consecutive year in which Schnitzer has earned its place among Ethisphere’s honorees, solidifying its position among a distinguished group of companies that continue to serve as the driving force behind supporting communities, building capable and empowered workforces, and fostering corporate cultures focused on ethics and a strong sense of purpose.1
1 “World’s Most Ethical Companies” and “Ethisphere” names and marks are registered trademarks of Ethisphere LLC.
Anticorruption
An essential part of operating ethically is ensuring we follow anticorruption and anti-bribery laws and regulations. In addition to our Code of Conduct, we maintain a comprehensive Anticorruption Policy that requires meticulous recordkeeping and prohibits bribery, money laundering, facilitation payments, and engaging with terrorists or other sanctioned entities.
Our Anticorruption Policy is bolstered by an expansive set of internal controls, training, and third-party monitoring, all of which help employees understand the importance of compliance and our shared responsibilities to ensure accountability. Our International Anticorruption Council, chaired by the Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer and consisting of senior leaders in operations, finance, legal, sales, procurement, IT, and internal audit, monitors the oversight and execution of Schnitzer’s Anticorruption Program.
At Schnitzer we believe that achieving sustainable
business success is synonymous with maintaining
ethical business practices.”
—Callie Pappas, VP & Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer
Human Rights
As a business engaged in commercial transactions throughout the world and with Integrity as a Core Value, we take our responsibilities seriously to respect human rights and uphold our commitment to operating responsibly and sustainably. Schnitzer’s Human Rights Policy reinforces our commitment to upholding the internationally recognized human rights standards as set forth in the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. We believe it is our responsibility, and pursuant our supplier Code of Conduct the responsibility of those we do business with, to comply with relevant legislation and minimum standards and to respect universal rights.
We oppose the use of child or forced labor and human trafficking and advocate for safe and healthy working conditions and a workplace free from violence, harassment, intimidation, and retaliation. We educate our managers and employees to identify, prevent, and report potential human rights abuses. We promote the right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment through our business practices and support the long-term health, safety, and wellness of all employees. We oppose corruption in all forms by proactively developing and maintaining programs and policies.
