Bausch + Lomb, established in 1853, has been at the forefront of many of the visionary innovations in eye health from optical lenses to contact lenses, from eye drugs to surgery. We have over 165 years of experience in delivering ophthalmic products and services globally and our history of innovation continues today as we invent new materials, engineer new technologies, and create pioneering ways to help people see better. Bausch + Lomb is a leading global manufacturer of eye health products.
Our products and services include:
Phacoemulsification and Vitreoretinal Surgical Systems
Intraocular Lenses
Surgical Instruments
Contact Lenses
Contact Lenses Care
Eye Vitamins
Surgical Treatments
Now part of Bausch Health Companies Inc., a multinational, specialty pharmaceutical and medical device company anchored by a collection of world-class products, Bausch + Lomb is even better positioned to continue its relentless pursuit of its mission to help patients across the world to see better, in order to live better. Bausch + Lomb currently delivers ophthalmic products and services to approximately 3,500 customers in the United Kingdom. Our customer base has been essential in enabling Bausch + Lomb to pioneer new technology in this arena and continuously improve our systems in the last ten years. The UK subsidiary comprises of 3 product and service lines:
Cataract and Vitreoretinal Surgery: Our state of the art Phacoemulsification and Vitreoretinal systems are both the building blocks of this service pillar as well as the driving force in technology innovation. Our combined Stellaris Elite™ system is testament to years of R&D and our response to capturing what our customers’ requirements are. We also offer a full suite of products including intraocular lenses and delivery systems featuring the EyeCee® One, enVista®, SofPort® and Akreos ® brands of IOLs.
OTC and Optometry Products: Our contact lens offerings span the entire spectrum of wearing modalities and include such well-known brand names as PureVision®, SofLens®, Boston®, Biotrue®, Ultra® and Optima®. Our lens care products include the ReNu® brand of chemical disinfectants for soft contact lenses as well as the Boston® line of products for cleaning GP contact lenses.
Pharmaceuticals: Our products treat a wide range of eye conditions including glaucoma, eye allergies, conjunctivitis, dry eye and retinal diseases. We offer proprietary and generic medicines available by prescription, over-the-counter eye drops and other medications.
With a performance culture based on “people, attitude and results”, and a business model focused equally on organic growth as it is mergers and acquisitions, the pace of change, excitement and opportunity that it brings will suit any individual with a “get up and go” attitude, strong work ethic and appetite to make real, tangible impact in a constantly evolving environment.
The UK organisation employs today around 150 staff, fostering a “small company” mindset with the comfort of a large financial backer from the wider group. We take pride in a team that is wholly dedicated to working in strong collaboration with each other and sharing knowledge and skills readily in order to further the unified company success.
Resulting from its business operations, the Company acknowledges its obligations towards its customers, employees and the communities in which it works, and has decided to document its policy in relation to labour standards and for this document to be approved by senior management; specifically, by the General Manager.
Bausch + Lomb UK Ltd’s Leadership Team define this policy as relevant to the organization itself, its contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and other parties engaged through the supply chain.
Scope of Policy
In the first instance, Bausch + Lomb UK Ltd. is applying this policy to the products it anticipates supplying into the NHS via the following Framework Agreement:- Surgical Instruments (OJEU Reference 2015/S 006-006246) Reference No: 15896
Specifically, these products are:- Intraocular Lenses, Ophthalmic Packs, Ophthalmic Accessories and Consumables, and Ophthalmic Liquids, Solutions and Gases.
Nature and Scale
The Company commits to periodically review this policy in order to continually improve, taking into consideration changes in legislation, and any other requirements to which the Company subscribes, and in order to ensure the adequacy, suitability and continuing effectiveness of the policy.
Specifically, the policy will be routinely reviewed at the Company’s Leadership Team Meetings.
Minimum Labour Standards
Bausch + Lomb UK Ltd. has identified the following compelling reasons to establish a comprehensive system of Minimum Labour Standards to guide it in its business operations.
ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES — the Company acknowledges its obligations towards its customers, employees and the communities in which it works arising from its business operations and wishes to work and trade in an ethical fashion.
THREAT TO SECURITY OF SUPPLY — the Company has identified that labour standards abuse in supply chains can pose a risk to the security of supply. Any supply chain partners perpetrating abuses face legal enforcement action which may damage business and interfere with their ability to continue to supply.
ADVERSE PUBLICITY AND DAMAGE TO THE COMPANY’S REPUTATION — adverse publicity from the discovery of labour standards abuses in the Company’s supply chain presents reputational and structural risks as follows — (a) income — customers may choose to purchase supplies and services from other providers (b) staff recruitment and retention — staff may choose not to work for a Company associated with any labour standards abuses and this may lead to poor morale in the work place and difficulty in recruitment (c) loss of trust — both with customers and suppliers and also within the wider community.
REDUCED QUALITY OF GOODS AND SERVICES — the Company recognises that there is commonly a link between poor labour standards and poor quality of goods and services. To this end, it is in the interest of the Company to ensure its suppliers reach minimum labour standards targets at all times.
To help it identify a defined set of minimum labour standards, Bausch + Lomb UK Ltd. has particularly referred to the following resources: Social Accountability International’s SA8000 document and the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
These minimum labour standards are:
Child Labour — the Company does not engage in or support the use of child labour. If the company engages any young workers (e.g. on work experience), it will ensure that a suitable risk assessment is carried out and that young persons are not exposed to any hazardous conditions, or in any case work more than 8 hours per day.
Forced & Compulsory Labour — the Company shall not engage in or support the use of forced or compulsory labour, or bonded or involuntary prison labour. Employees are free to leave upon reasonable notice.
Health & Safety — the Company shall provide a safe and healthy workplace environment and shall take effective steps to prevent potential accidents and injury to employees’ health by minimizing, so far as is reasonably practicable, and in co-operation with its employees, the causes of hazards inherent in the workplace. All employees will receive safety and job specific instructions during the course of their employment with the company. Employees shall have access to clean sanitary facilities and drinking water. Responsibility for implementing the Health & Safety element of this policy is assigned to the General Manager and Leadership Team.
Freedom of Association — the freedom of association is respected, and the Company will comply with UK labour relations legislation in this regard.
Discrimination — the Company shall not engage in or support any discriminatory practices in hiring, remuneration, access to training, promotion, termination or retirement based on race, national or social origin, caste, religion, gender, sexual orientation, political affiliations, age or other conditions that could give rise to discrimination. The Company has an Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy which is shown to all new employees at induction.
Disciplinary Practices — the Company shall treat all employees with dignity and respect. The Company shall not engage in or tolerate the use of corporal punishment, mental or physical coercion or verbal abuse of personnel. No harsh or inhumane treatment is allowed.
Working Hours — the Company shall comply with applicable laws and industry standards on working hours and holiday entitlements. The Company’s normal working hours do not exceed 48 hours per week, and overtime hours do not exceed 12 hours per week. The Company ensures all employees have the legal right to be employed in the UK.
Remuneration — the Company shall comply with national laws and regulations with regard to wages and benefits. All work-related activities are carried out on the basis of a recognized employment relationship established according to national law and practice.
The Company also commits to:-
Compliance with relevant local laws in the geographies within which it operates, as well as to any other requirements to which it subscribes
Ensure that all its key contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers are aware of this policy
Make available sufficient resources for the implementation of this policy
The Company will make this policy publicly available and the policy will also be communicated to all Bausch + Lomb UK Ltd. employees in the first instance, and also to all contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers. The Company commits to periodically review this policy in order to continually improve, taking into consideration changes in legislation, and any other requirements to which the Company subscribes, and in order to ensure the adequacy, suitability and continuing effectiveness of the policy. Specifically, the policy will be routinely reviewed at the Company’s Leadership Team Meetings.
Duncan Dow General Manager, UK&I 28th January 2019
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