Social responsibility

An attractive employer and partner
The Group’s employees are one of Synsam’s most important assets. Being able to attract, develop and retain employees is a critical factor for success. Motivated employees with the right qualifications and insight into the needs of our customers are crucial to Synsam’s continued development as the leading optical retail chain in the Nordic region. As an employer, Synsam also has a responsibility to uphold fair social conditions throughout its entire supply chain. Synsam aims be the most attractive company in the optical retail sector. The Group endeavours to provide a safe, stimulating and inclusive workplace, and Synsam maintains a close dialogue with its suppliers to safeguard good social conditions.

Motivated and skilled employees
Synsam takes an active approach to designing and refining its work approach in order to achieve a good work environment for its employees, with skills development, health, diversity and equal treatment receiving priority. The Group has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment. The Group’s objective is for at least 85 percent of employees to be motivated and proud, and to share the company’s values, by 2026. The result was 91 percent according to an employee survey conducted in 2022.

Supply and development of skills
Today, Synsam has approximately 900 licensed opticians. There is a shortage of opticians, and they perform an important social function by relieving the burden on the health service. Due to an ageing population and increased use of screens from an early age, the demand for opticians will likely continue to grow, and the role will become more crucial to society over time. Synsam is working actively to encourage more people to train as opticians, but also to retain the opticians we have. Ensuring that our opticians are motivated and have a good work environment is an important part of this effort.

Safe workplaces throughout the value chain
Synsam is a member of the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI). The BSCI initiative helps the Group ensure that responsibility is taken throughout the entire supply chain. It is based on 11 principles that include the prohibition of child labour, forced labour and corruption. The principles also include requirements for safety and reasonable working hours. The Group’s membership in BSCI means that regular inspections are performed at the Synsam’s production units. Full-day inspections were performed by independent auditors during the year to ensure compliance with BSCI’s requirements. No serious deviations were reported. In addition to the BSCI principles, Synsam also requires all carriers and freight forwarders to have collective agreements for their employees.

Anti-corruption
Synsam has a strict zero-tolerance policy against corruption. There is zero-tolerance for bribery, corruption and other forms of unethical behaviour in business relationships. The Group’s anti-corruption policy governs, among other things, the giving and receiving of benefits or gifts, and the rules governing agents and other intermediaries. Synsam informs its employees about the policy on an annual basis. No attempts at or suspicions of corruption or bribery among employees were recorded in 2022.

Whistleblower policy
Synsam has a whistleblower policy that is available both internally and externally. The policy was developed in line with Synsam’s core values and Code of Conduct. Synsam believes it is important that any wrongdoing or suspicion of wrongdoing that takes place within the organisation is reported, investigated and addressed as quickly as possible. No cases were reported in 2022.

Read more about our social responsibility in Synsam Groups Annual and Sustainability Report 2022