CSR
ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
A strong environmental performance is key to maintaining our reputation as a leading independent oil & gas company.
At Harlequin, we have specific requirements and recommendations governing how we identify and manage the potentially damaging environmental and social impacts/risks of all our projects. Systems and practices which form the foundation of our operations include:
- Identify and assess potential environmental impacts in the early stages of a project or acquisition;
- Take necessary action to mitigate impacts throughout our operations; and
- Leave a limited footprint, in line with local regulations.
OUR APPROACH
We strive to understand and manage the sensitivities of the environments in which we operate as well as our responsibilities to them, throughout the lifecycle of our operations. We are committed to making a positive contribution towards the protection of the environment and aim to minimise any adverse effects emanating from our operations. We aim to contribute positively to global sustainability through our operations, the development of our fields, the adoption of new technologies and the conduct of our relationships with all stakeholders.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
A strong health and safety record is one of our key business drivers and also forms part of our Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) by which we measure our success.
Effective safety performance across our operations depends on the right behaviour and attitude. This requires setting the right expectations for all employees and contractors – we require that everyone behaves in a safe manner and follows all applicable safety rules:
Empowering employees to intervene to stop a task if they believe it to be unsafe or intervene if a colleague's behaviour could lead to harm;
Accountability – requiring employees to be accountable by taking responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others;
Leadership – managers and supervisors are expected to lead by example and demonstrate their personal commitment to safety; and
Safety management systems being implemented at all sites, both operational and administrative.
OUR APPROACH
We are very proud of our health and safety performance and believe it assists in making us a partner of choice. Safeguarding the people working for Harlequin and ensuring that all of our operations are designed and managed to high international standards is at the core of how we operate. Our goal in this area is zero injuries and fatalities across all areas of our operations and minimal operational health issues.
All sites are covered by safety management systems with supervisors/managers responsible for overall safety measures. We also ensure these principles are adopted and implemented by our contractors as well.
We do, however, appreciate that no organisation is immune to emergencies. Due to the potential consequences that these can have, we recognise the importance of being prepared for such an unfortunate incident. We continually review crisis management systems to ensure that our processes match our needs and requirements. Harlequin is proactive not reactive!
COMMUNITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
It is important to Harlequin that relationships with neighbours and local communities are conducted sensitively and with mutual respect.
Harlequin recognises that active and enduring partnerships are a central and fundamental element of our business. We therefore aim to promote the sharing of economic benefit created by our activities through the conduct of our community relationships.
The support of host communities, governments and other stakeholders is crucial in the achievement of our long-term business objectives.
We strive to work together with local communities to generate mutual benefits and shared progressiveness – some of which will stem from required health and education initiatives.
To ensure that we maintain symbiotic relationships with local communities and governments we:
Promote sharing of economic benefits created by our activities through the conduct of community relationships;
Enter into long-term sustainable community projects requested by local communities;
Seek to ensure access to land is secured using approaches that are sensitive to local concerns and values;
Generate socio-economic benefits that address long-term local needs; and
Provide opportunities for local suppliers.
OUR APPROACH
We view stakeholder engagement as an integral part of our business model. The success of projects in the different parts of the world is dependent on relationships with governments, local authorities and local communities.
A natural part of a new project development involves consultation with local communities as well as government authorities, to identify ways in which our expertise can be best applied. Our licence to operate in any area is dependent on being viewed as a positive force by those most directly affected by our operations. Therefore, it is in our interest to consult stakeholders and find ways to be a trusted and useful partner – a partner of choice!
It is our intention to improve conditions in the wider vicinity of our operations by investing in sustainable projects where local communities have a sense of ownership – thus increasing their long-term effects.
Harlequin is dedicated to recruiting, motivating and retaining employees with a diverse range of skills. We believe that our competitive advantage is derived as much from our people as from our asset base and attractive and growing business opportunities.
Ensuring that relationships between our employees are cohesive, safe and effective is important to how we expect all our employees to respect different cultures, traditions and employment practices across our business areas. We share common goals with our employees and contractors and are committed to good corporate values and responsible behaviour. We recognise achievement and create opportunities for individuals at all levels of our businesses. In dealing with our employees, we act in compliance with national regulatory requirements and our obligations under relevant national and international laws.
To ensure successful recruitment, motivation and retention in a challenging, international market, we aim for:
A competitive approach to remuneration with packages reviewed regularly;
Learning and development programmes that enhance employees' careers;
A commitment to diversity;
A focus on recruitment from within host countries and communities – where certain skill sets are available; and
Workplaces which motivate and engage employees at all levels, and are free from discrimination and harassment of any kind.
At Harlequin, we value all employees for their contribution to our business. Opportunities for advancement are equal and not influenced by considerations other than performance and aptitude. Employees are provided with the opportunity to develop their potential and, where appropriate, to further their careers within the Group.
Staff are motivated to develop within a flexible framework and are encouraged to provide feedback on their expectations. Local sourcing is important to our business practices and we aim to contract services to local firms where possible.
It is our responsibility to train all workers to provide better access to job opportunities in the long term. We emphasise transferable skills and a broad range of learning, as well as the basic aim of developing a knowledgeable, productive and happy workforce.
BUSINESS CONDUCT
Harlequin uphold the highest standards of business conduct across all of our operations.
We are resolutely opposed to bribery and corruption in all forms and do not participate in, or finance, party politics. Failure to comply with the highest standards of corporate conduct, which is expected by our diverse stakeholders, will impact on our reputation and ability to be viewed as a partner of choice. Good corporate conduct makes sound business sense.