Corporate Social Responsibility
APC Overnight: sensitive to our social, environmental and economic impact
APC Overnight is committed to operating in a responsible and sustainable manner. Throughout all aspects of our business operations we will implement measures to understand and manage all core stakeholder relationships so that our business functions in a manner that is effective, efficient and ethical whilst seeking to enhance our social, environmental and economic impact.
This statement outlines our commitment to customers, the environment, our employees and the communities within which we operate.
Customers
Our customers are our priority. Our customer relationships are based on the values of honesty and integrity. We will not engage in unethical advertising, marketing and sales practices. We will listen to customers to enable us to improve our service delivery.
The Environment
We recognise that operating in the transport sector we have a significant part to play in reducing our negative impact on the environment. We carefully plan and model our trunking schedules to achieve route optimisation, best use of our available resources and reduce our Co2 emissons. We use modern aero dynamic fuel efficient vehicles that are regularly maintained and serviced. We are supporting the Department of Transport by participating in a 10 year pilot scheme trialling extended length trailers. The test vehicles are independently monitored over the course of the programme to log carbon emissions and safety records.
We are committed to a waste recycling scheme, this includes shrink wrap, paper, cardboard, scrap metal and ink cartridges. All employees are trained and compliant in actively ensuring recyclable products are discarded appropriately. Unusable wooden pallets are provided to a third party company for chipping and recycling. Our premises are fitted with energy saving light bulbs and sensor lighting to minimise energy usage, in addition we use hand dryers as an environmentally friendly alternative to paper towels.
To view our Environmental Policy click here.
Our Employees
Our business is only as good as our people and we strive to promote staff engagement across all company levels. We ensure staff facilities are maintained to a high standard and offer more than adequate resources to all employees at every level of the business. We actively focus on talent management and are keen on providing career development and progression from within. We encourage two way communication and have regular staff forums where staff representatives have the opportunity to regularly meet with members of the Executive Team. We ensure our employees are involved with company ventures including voting systems and feedback for fundraising and charity schemes.
To view The APC Gender Pay Gap Report 2023 click here.
Community
We are committed to providing opportunities and support to the local and wider community. All recruitment opportunities are made available to the local community by various methods of advertising. Our official charity of the year, selected by our employees, is the Teenage Cancer Trust. Donations provided by fundraising and sponsorship are presented to local units of this charity.
Local schools were invited annually to participate in a competition when designing our recently built state of the art National Sortation Centre. We participate with local schools in providing work experience opportunities, with a planned programme which ensures exposure to the world of work.
Slavery & Human Trafficking Statement for the Financial Year 2022 - 2023
This statement is made in accordance with Section 54, Part 6 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and sets out the steps that The Alternative Parcels Company Limited (“The APC”) has taken to ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in our supply chains.
The APC is an independent parcel company, operating in the UK within the transport and distribution sectors. Our workforce comprises of a combination of employed and agency workers.
The Company does not knowingly enter into business with any organisation, in the UK or abroad, which supports or is involved in slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour and use of human trafficking. We take our responsibilities seriously and monitor the modern slavery risk of our labour suppliers’ and supply chains.
We acknowledge that slavery and human trafficking are concealed, damaging and cruel practices that unfortunately are still present in global society. This Company is alert to its responsibility for recognising and tackling this illegal practice and is committed to providing a workplace and building relationships with suppliers where dignity and respect is provided to all.
The Company promotes equal opportunities for all and is committed to protecting its people by ensuring our work environments are safe, healthy, respectful and free from illegal practices, harassment, and exploitation. The Company has comprehensive employment policies that it regularly reviews and amends to ensure they reflect and integrate with our stance on slavery and human trafficking. Our recruitment and onboarding processes are also reviewed regularly with compliance and audit checks being completed for new joiners.
We have a dedicated Whistleblowing phoneline where colleagues are able to report concerns or issues relating to illegal practice or wrongdoing (including matters relating to labour practices). All reported matters are investigated.
The Company has invested significantly in its security function which plays a proactive role in compliance and risk management. The Company has processes in place, and we provide relevant training for our managers to improve awareness and highlight the principle risks related to modern day slavery and human trafficking within the business and our supply chain.
The Company has continued to ensure that it provides a positive and supportive working environment for its employees and workers. We continue to offer strong communication channels through; electronic messaging, health and safety forums and a dedicated HR help facility that our colleagues can utilise. To enhance and encourage two-way communication between our people and the Company we have implemented a worker retention programme which aims to provide early intervention for employee wellbeing matters.
The Company is committed to the training and development of its people. We have invested in a digital training solution that is accessible by employees and agency workers and have developed and disseminated learning content on slavery and human trafficking, whistleblowing, bribery, bullying and harassment and equality, diversity and inclusion. We have a team of trained mental health first aiders and have increased our level of communication and awareness building on topics associated with slavery and human trafficking.
This statement was reviewed in March 2023.