Code of Conduct

We pursue only legal business objectives and practices and maintain business relationships only with reputable partners.

We treat our business partners and customers fairly and with respect. We respect different legal, economic, social and cultural backgrounds and the special circumstances of the countries and regions in which Alexander Schuh GmbH operates. In doing so, Alexander Schuh GmbH respects the laws and regulations of the countries and regions in which business activities take place.

We always base our business activities on universally held ethical values and principles, including integrity and respect for human dignity. The Alexander Schuh GmbH relies on free and fair world trade.

We act in accordance with the applicable import and export control regulations and comply with the legal requirements for the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing. We also refuse to conduct business in a way that enables or facilitates money laundering, tax evasion or terrorist financing by suppliers, customers or other third parties.

Alexander Schuh GmbH advocates free and fair competition. We do not tolerate any anti-competitive agreements and ensure that the company acts in accordance with the applicable antitrust laws. Alexander Schuh GmbH rejects competitive advantages gained through unfair business practices.

Alexander Schuh GmbH respects the personal rights of its employees, business partners and customers and, when handling personal information, complies with the applicable legal and official requirements for the processing of personal data and for information security.

Alexander Schuh GmbH protects the business secrets and other confidential information of its business partners and customers from unauthorized access, use and disclosure, at least in accordance with the relevant legal provisions for the protection of business secrets.

Alexander Schuh GmbH respects the intellectual property of its business partners, customers and other third parties and takes care to ensure that sufficient precautions are taken to protect intellectual property rights when exchanging know-how and technologies.

As far as products and services from Alexander Schuh GmbH affect the interests of consumers, appropriate measures are taken to ensure the safety and quality of the products or services. Alexander Schuh GmbH ensures that the products or services meet the relevant legal consumer protection requirements.

As part of its information and distribution activities, Alexander Schuh GmbH takes consumer interests into account by applying the legal requirements for fair business, marketing and advertising practices and consumer education.

The protection and preservation of natural resources concerns and obliges us all. With this in mind, Alexander Schuh GmbH carries out its business activities in an ecologically responsible manner and is committed to the goal of a climate-neutral future.

Alexander Schuh GmbH observes the principles for the protection of animals and biological diversity and aligns its business activities accordingly. The keeping and use of animals must meet the applicable legal animal protection requirements and be species-appropriate. The Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species is the guiding principle here.

Human dignity is inviolable. Therefore, Alexander Schuh GmbH respects the internationally recognized human rights as set forth in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The Alexander Schuh GmbH is guided by the internationally recognized labor standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO), as listed below in the Code of Conduct.

In all its business activities, Alexander Schuh GmbH endeavors neither to cause nor to contribute to human rights violations. Alexander Schuh GmbH expects the same of its business partners. As far as necessary and possible, Alexander Schuh GmbH supports its suppliers in this.

The Alexander Schuh GmbH treats its employees with respect. The Alexander Schuh GmbH rejects any form of unlawful punishment, abuse, harassment, intimidation or other unworthy treatment of employees.

Alexander Schuh GmbH applies the applicable labor law to all employment relationships and expects the same from its contractual partners. At the beginning of the employment relationship, employees are to be provided with comprehensible information about the essential working conditions, including their rights and obligations, working hours, remuneration and payment and billing modalities.

Alexander Schuh GmbH respects and protects the right of employees to terminate their employment relationship in compliance with the applicable notice period.

The Alexander Schuh GmbH does not tolerate child labor and observes the applicable legal minimum age for taking up work. In any case, the Alexander Schuh GmbH does not employ any persons under the age at which compulsory schooling ends according to the law of the place of employment, or under the age of 15. Internships are organized in accordance with legal requirements.

Alexander Schuh GmbH expects its contractual partners to have appropriate means of determining age in order to prevent child labor. Should child labor be detected, all necessary measures must be taken immediately that focus on the well-being, protection and development of the child.

The rights of young workers must be observed for persons under the age of 18; they may only be employed if it is ensured that the working and employment conditions do not endanger their health, safety or morals and are not harmful to their development.

Alexander Schuh GmbH rejects forced or compulsory labor in any form. This also applies to any form of bonded labour, serfdom, slavery or slave-like practices, human trafficking and extends to all forms of involuntary labor and services that are incompatible with internationally recognized labor and social standards.

Alexander Schuh GmbH applies the statutory or – where applicable – collective agreement provisions when remunerating work performance. Alexander Schuh GmbH ensures that the payment made to employees in the company is not below the applicable statutory minimum wage, or the minimum wage set in the collective agreement or the industry-wide minimum wage. In countries or regions without a statutory or collectively agreed wage framework, Alexander Schuh GmbH ensures that the wages paid for a regular full-time working week are sufficient to meet the basic needs of the employees.

The Alexander Schuh GmbH does not tolerate any legally unauthorised deductions from wages, including deductions as a disciplinary measure.

Alexander Schuh GmbH applies the statutory or applicable collective bargaining provisions regarding working hours, including overtime, rest breaks and vacation. Alexander Schuh GmbH ensures that:

Alexander Schuh GmbH respects the rights of employees to freedom of association and freedom of assembly, as well as the right to collective bargaining and wage negotiations, insofar as this is legally permissible and possible in the respective country of employment. If this is not permissible, Alexander Schuh GmbH seeks appropriate compromises for its employees.

Alexander Schuh GmbH values the diversity of its employees and promotes a working environment that enables inclusion. Therefore, Alexander Schuh GmbH is committed to equal opportunities and rejects any form of discrimination and unequal treatment based on national and ethnic origin, social background, health status, disability, sexual orientation, age, gender, political opinion, religion or belief. The Alexander Schuh GmbH lives by the principle of equal pay for male and female workers for work of equal value.

Alexander Schuh GmbH observes national and international occupational health and safety standards. Alexander Schuh GmbH ensures a safe and healthy working environment (avoiding accidents, injuries and work-related illnesses) in order to maintain the safety and health of its employees and third parties.