Quick links

CSR Logo

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Tom Farnhill (Prospect Trade Union) commenting on VLA’s CSR activities said:

“It was refreshing to come across an organisation that appeared to take the CSR and responsible procurement agendas seriously. I know some organisations who just don’t 'get' CSR and need to be dragged kicking and screaming to the table to talk about it. VLA clearly understands the benefits of developing more ethical procurement and CSR policies for its reputation, for the international workers who supply VLA with goods and services and for the recipients of VLA’s advice and expertise in the developing world."

What does CSR mean?

VLA is committed to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) which describes the positive impact a company has on its wider community.

There is no standard definition of CSR, but it is commonly described as:

  • The continual commitment from an organisation to behave ethically.
  • To contribute to economic development.
  • Working to improve the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as the local community and society at large.

VLA & CSR

The VLA's Strategic & Corporate Plan 2009/10 to 2013/14, ensures that we interact with our wider stakeholders such as suppliers, interest groups, the local community and society in general. This includes our environmental impact as well as the communication of science that has implications for the public.

CSR is the responsibility of all staff so VLA and Prospect Trade Union work together to ensure that employees and their trade union representatives are involved in drawing up, carrying out and monitoring our CSR activities and related policies.

Some examples of VLA's commitment to CSR:

Environment & sustainable development

During the past 20 years there has been a growing concern about society's impact on natural resources and the environment.  This has led to various government legislation and policies on sustainable development.

VLA is committed to delivering its services in the most sustainable way possible to minimise the impact of our operations on the environment. This includes:

  • Consignment stocks (Vendor Managed Inventory)- stocks held at VLA but owned and managed by the supplier thus reducing deliveries.
  • Appointment of locally based suppliers.
  • Appointment of suppliers that are UK manufactures.
  • Collection and recycling of scientific equipment and consumables such as pipette tips.

We use an Environmental Management system to help identify and manage the environmental risks.

Further information can be found in our Sustainable Development Action Plan which highlights our work in supporting Defra’s sustainable development plan.

Also see Defra's ethical procurement policy on the Defra website.

VLA’s restaurant provider (foodhouse) looks to support the environment and local businesses by sourcing its food and ingredients locally, thus helping to lower our carbon footprint. Other foodhouse CSR activities include:

  • Growing over 60 herbs and various vegetables for soups and other meals in the restaurant.
  • Providing a variety of Fair Trade products such as tea and coffee.
  • Supporting and supplying just deli water bottles who donate 4p for every sale of bottled water to the “Wells for India Project.” 
    For further information see the Wells for India leaflet (pdf).
  • Thermo mugs instead of paper cups. Customers using the mugs also receive a discount on tea and coffee.
  • Ensuring food packaging is 100% recyclable and 95% biodegradable.
  • Using recyclable glass bottles and reusable zork corks for all hospitality on the Weybridge site.
  • Using free range eggs.

Science community

As a national and international reference laboratory for several animal diseases we also recognise our responsibilities to the academic, scientific and international communities. Some of our scientific work contributes to the UN's Millennium Development Goals. Recent studies include:

We remain committed to the Government's Science and Society Programme.  We aim to play our part in helping promote greater public engagement and confidence in science and increase the number of young people taking up science as a career. We are currently reviewing how we interact with local secondary schools and are hoping to develop the relationship by providing support on how science is taught.

Local community

As an employer and public sector organisation we understand the important role we play in supporting the local community in which we operate. We seek to do this by:

  • Avoiding disruption to the community such as noise, emissions and transport congestion.
  • Investing in the community to support local issues.
  • Understanding the impact of what VLA does in terms of human and animal rights issues.

Ethical use of animal

We have our own Ethics Committee that reviews all of VLA's animal use for scientific purposes.  There is an external lay member of the committee, recruited from the local community, who brings an independent view.

We are bound by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, which is administered by the Home Office.  The Act applies the 3 Rs* to all cases (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement). For further information, see the following pages animal use at VLA.

Funding and local charity work

Examples include:

  • Traffic lights outside the Weybridge site to help with transport congestion.
  • Support for the Midsummer Event at Heathervale, Surrey.
  • Support for the new café building attached to the local church at the Weybridge site. We also donated used office equipment to the local youth club “The Hub” in Chertsey.
  • Raising money for charities from suppler exhibitions, staff surveys and book events.

CSR & employees

VLA recognises that its staff is its greatest assets and is constantly examining how it can invest in its colleagues and their families. Examples include:

  • Encouraging and supporting a healthy work-life balance (for example, flexible working hours, special leave).
  • Promoting equality and diversity, and addressing harassment and bullying.
  • Training, personal development and maintaining Investors in People status.
  • Holding and responding to Have Your Say staff engagement surveys.
  • Providing childcare facilities such as an on-site Nursery, Playscheme, Nursery Allowance and a Salary Sacrifice (Childcare) Scheme.
  • Providing childcare facilities such as an on-site Nursery, Playscheme, Nursery Allowance and a Salary Sacrifice (Childcare) Scheme.
  • Providing health and welfare support.
  • Supporting and maintaining effective management of health and safety.
  • One day paid leave available per year for unpaid voluntary activity.
  • Bicycle user group which encourages staff to consider cycling to work.
  • Interest free bicycle loan scheme.

Fund Raising Events

The VLA fully supports fundraising work and events and encourages staff to advertise their involvement. Areas include:

  • Cake sales
  • Sponsored walks/runs/bike rides
  • Book sales
  • McMillan coffee mornings
  • Local charities
  • Voluntary work

Charity Donations

Colleagues have the opportunity to make charitable donations by using the Give As You Earn Scheme operated at VLA.  This allows direct pre-tax deductions through payroll and the charity receives the donation plus the tax that would have been paid on that amount.