Our policies: transparency, conduct, and standards

Code of conduct

We are committed to providing the people who work, volunteer and engage with us with an environment which is safe, inclusive and collaborative.

Our code of conduct ensures that all of our people understand the behaviour expected of them. This includes upholding the highest ethical, professional and quality standards in the support we provide to people in crisis.

When British Red Cross people work internationally as part of the international Red Cross Red Crescent Movement (including when on secondment), the standards set out in the IFRC and ICRC Codes of conduct will apply. This is in addition to the British Red Cross Code of conduct.

Complaints, concerns and feedback policy

It sets out the standards we have when responding to a complaint, concern or feedback about our work.

This includes the behaviour of our staff, volunteers or those working on our behalf.

Conflicts of interest policy

This policy helps staff, volunteers and board members understand conflicts of interest, including:

• where they might happen
• how they can be avoided
• how to manage them when identified.

Confidentiality policy

This policy sets out our commitment to the confidentiality of personal and business information.

It also states our responsibilities regarding their disclosure.

Data protection policy

It sets out how we meet our legal obligations under the Data Protection Act 1998. 

This includes ensuring that we safely and securely process the information that service users and supporters share with us, especially sensitive information.

Dignity at Work policy

We recognise that, both as an employer and service provider, we have a duty to ensure there is an open and honest working environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Environmental sustainability policy

This policy outlines our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint and embedding sustainability in everything we do. It sets out how we will lower our carbon emissions, promote greener practices, and ensure that environmental considerations are part of our daily decisions, services, and operations.

Equity, diversity and inclusion policy

It sets out our approach to equity, diversity and inclusion, and what we will do to create a safe and inclusive organisation that learns and grows.  

This supports us to proactively dismantle barriers, eliminate discrimination, and create equity for our people and those we serve. Find out more about how we implement our equity and diversity policy.

Ethical policy

This policy sets out the ethical standards for our organisation to make sure that we take a consistent ethical approach across all of our operations.

Fraud, bribery and corruption policy

This policy sets out our approach to countering fraud, bribery and corruption. It promotes an anti-fraud culture and outlines everyone's responsibility in preventing acts of fraud at the British Red Cross.

Health and safety policy

It meets our requirements under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which requires that our policy for health and safety comprises a number of parts.

This policy sets out our high-level commitment to safeguarding the health, safety and welfare of our people, as well as those who use our services and visit our premises.

Information governance policy

The information governance policy is the primary policy under which all other information governance policies, procedures and guidance relating to the management of information and data come under. 

The information classification policy outlines the information classification scheme we have in place as well as our information handling standards. 

Political and other affiliations policy

Our staff and volunteers must not have a high public profile in the public sphere or other fields which might reflect adversely on our organisation or the Fundamental Principles.

This policy provides clear advice to our people to ensure that we uphold the Fundamental Principles. 

Raising a concern procedure

Our policy sets out the process and our policies around raising concerns in the workplace and resolving them quickly and effectively.

This also includes information about external bodies and advice on confidentiality and whistle-blowers.

Reserves policy

It ensures our work is protected from the risk of disruption at short notice due to a lack of funds, while ensuring we do not retain income for longer than required.

The reserves policy is kept under regular review and reserves levels are adjusted as perceptions of risk and other factors change.

Safeguarding policy

It sets out the expectation that all our people understand how to prevent and respond to concerns of abuse, exploitation, and harm to children, adults, and communities who come into contact with us or our partners. This includes abuse or harm perpetrated by our people.

Social media policy

The policy sets out how British Red Cross people should engage with social media, including corporate and personal channels. It also shows our people their responsibilities when using social media. 

Transparency and accountability policy

This policy describes how we publish information about our structure and operations. It gives people the chance to evaluate how we’re performing in delivering services to people in crisis.

It also details how we will respond to requests for information.

Travel and expenses policy

It outlines the process employees are expected to follow when making arrangements to travel on official business, as well as the process for reimbursement of official travel costs.