“In Hofseth we believe that our success is built on a foundation of personal and professional integrity. Hofseth understands the challenge of ensuring high social, ethical, and environmental standards within our business and throughout our supply chain and is committed to working close together with our suppliers to make sure that these standards are subject to continues improvement.”
- Roger Hofseth, CEO
Hofseth assumes the responsibility of the areas over which we have control. This means that we have a responsibility toward the local communities and immediate environment in which we operate, as well as towards our employees, customers, suppliers, and society.
Hofseth is aware that the seafood industry is about much more than just seafood. It is about delivery performance, business, social, and environmental responsibility, innovation through developing new products and production methods and about providing quality products to our customers. Our main goal is to develop and maintain a financially sound and prosperous business with respect towards human, nature and environment.
Hofseth engages in voluntary employment of all employees and respects the right of employees to decide to work or not. Hofseth does not use forced labor, whether in the form of prison labor, indentured labor, bonded labor, or otherwise, nor shall Hofseth engage in any form of human trafficking and/or slavery. Employees are free to terminate their employment with Hofseth after reasonable notice.
Hofseth does not engage in or support the use of child labor. Hofseth does not recruit child labor (Child Labor being defined under ILO Conventions as workers under the age of 15, or 14 in certain developing countries). No hazardous work is carried out by anyone under the age of 18. Hofseth maintains formal documentation that verifies the age of each worker. A remediation program is in place if Hofseth finds any form of child labor in its supply chain. Hofseth supports the development of legitimate workplace apprenticeships programs for educational benefit of younger people. However, they will not be exploited or given jobs that are dangerous to their health and safety. Employees under the age of 18 but, above the legal limit for employment are not employed at night or in dangerous conditions.
Hofseth respects the freedom of association and the right for collective bargaining. Hofseth has an open attitude towards the activities of both trade unions and worker organizations. Workers’ representatives are not discriminated against and have access to carry out their representative functions in the workplace.
Hofseth does not and shall not discriminate based on race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring, and firing staff, selection of vendors and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors and clients.
Hofseth is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant based on race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
Hofseth treats all its employees with dignity and respect. No employees are the subject to any physical, sexual, psychological, or verbal harassment or abuse including the use of physical punishment. All disciplinary actions are recorded and fair, proportionate, and fully compliant with local laws and regulations.
Hofseth will provide a safe and hygienic working environment, bearing in mind the prevailing knowledge of the industry and any specific hazards. Adequate steps are taken to prevent accidents and injury to health arising out of, associated with, or occurring during work, by minimizing, as far as is reasonably practicable, the causes of hazards inherent to the working environment. Applicable Health and Safety regulations will be adhered to and complied with at all times, and a working environment which is safe and conducive to good health and safety shall be provided. Employees shall receive regular and recorded health and safety training and such training shall be repeated for new or reassigned employees or as specified in local laws. Hofseth provides access to clean toilet facilities and to potable water, and sanitary facilities for food storage. Hofseth provides furthermore clean and safe employee accommodations – for hired staff from abroad – that meets the basic needs of the employees.
Hofseth pays wages and benefits according to the national legal standards. All employees shall be provided with written and understandable information about their employment conditions in respect to wages before they enter employment and about the particulars of their wages for the pay period concerned each time that they are paid. Overtime is paid at an enhanced rate, at a minimum in compliance with national legislation. Hofseth does not permit deductions of wages as a disciplinary measure and does not make any deductions from wages not provided by national law without the expressed permissions of the employee concerned. Furthermore, Hofseth will comply with national laws on working hours.
Hofseth conducts his businesses in compliance with all applicable environmental laws, rules, and regulations. Waste is minimized within the company and items recycled wherever this is practicable. Effective controls of waste in respect to ground, air and water pollution are adopted. For hazardous materials, emergency response plans are in place. Undue and unnecessary use of materials is avoided and recycled materials are used whenever appropriate. All production and delivery processes, including heating, ventilation, lighting, IT systems and transportation is based on the need to maximize efficient energy use and to minimize harmful emissions. The company respects the regulations on animal welfare and shall actively contribute in production methods which minimize animal suffering.
The manufacturing units of Hofseth are approved in accordance with the HACCP regulations in Norway, the EU and the US as well as in accordance with the BRC/IFS (internationally approved certification). The manufacturing units will allow customer assessments and give access to all information regarding the safety and legality of our products. This means that we shall always have full control of product safety through marking, tracing, control of raw materials and training routines. Through our systems, we shall make sure that the customers receive the product they have ordered and that deviations from this are apparent through our continuous product and hygiene controls. Continuous improvements and sufficient resources shall ensure the quality of this work.
Hofseth strives to provide a workplace free of bribery and corruption by complying with all applicable laws relating to bribery, money laundering and/or corruption as well as prohibiting the exchange of money or anything else of value to or from anyone, including government officials, to influence actions or to obtain an improper advantage. Acquiring advantages through corruption, bribery and similar inappropriate behavior will never be accepted. Employee performance appraisals will be used to control that employees have not violated the company’s code of conduct or felt pressure from customers/suppliers to perform acts which are not in line with our code of conduct.