Karin is passionate about sustainability
Working actively with sustainability issues has long been a matter of course for Infotiv. Part of the company's self-image and an important factor in attracting both customers and employees. We have interviewed Karin Åberg, Quality and Environmental Manager at Infotiv, to get a deeper insight into how the company works with sustainability, both in terms of people, environment and economy.
Infotiv is today a well-established player in technology development and technology information that has many of Sweden's leading technology development companies on its customer list. During the last decade, much has changed in the business world. Although good profitability is still important, other areas have been given high priority when the market's major players choose their subcontractors. Sound values, a healthy workforce and a holistic approach to quality, environmental and sustainability issues can be crucial to being chosen as both a supplier and an employer.
One person who lives and breathes these issues on a daily basis at Infotiv is Karin Åberg, who is responsible for quality and environment at Infotiv. She has been working remotely for many years from the villa in Lidköping, where she lives with her partner and two children, and when we interview her, like so much else in Karin's professional life, it is via Teams.
- Sustainability has been and will continue to be a major and important issue for us at Infotiv.
Of course, we work with environmental and climate sustainability, but social sustainability is also very important, that we have a sustainable workplace so that people who work with us feel good.
Code of Conduct important in a globalized world
Infotiv's customers also work very actively with their sustainability issues, says Karin.
- For many years, we have been required to be certified under ISO 9001 and 14001. But now there are also broader requirements, where we as a company need to have control over our supply chain. This is linked to the fact that our world is becoming increasingly globalized. In Sweden, we may take many basic labor law conditions for granted, but there are countries where people are sometimes forced to work under circumstances that we cannot accept here.
- We are now working on a Code of Conduct for our supply chain, where we set basic requirements for what our suppliers need to live up to. This may involve labor law issues at a basic level: no slavery, no child labor, no corruption. It is a good way to raise awareness of the issue, so that more companies realize that they must be able to show that they are fair companies, with healthy working conditions, good environmental thinking and sound economic thinking," says Karin.
- The fact that we are doing this really feels like proof that the issues are important to Infotiv. Not only because it is important for people and the environment, but also important from an economic perspective, so that our customers get what they want. In my assignment, I mainly have contact with the company management, and for them it is really obvious that these issues are important, which also means that it is fun and meaningful to work with sustainability here at Infotiv.
A caring company
Karin has been part of the team at Infotiv for over ten years, and the fact that she works remotely does not in any way prevent her from having a central role at Infotiv, with several important responsibilities on her plate. The main focus of her job is quality and environmental responsibilities, but she also has health and safety and coordinating IT responsibilities. She coordinates the work on the regular ISO audits and ensures that the operating system is up to date. Karin seems to enjoy her multifaceted role and the opportunity to work remotely. I ask her to put into words how it feels to work at Infotiv.
- We have our signature "Warm heart and sharp mind" and I think that warm heart - the spirit of Infotiv - is clear. You care about each other. I think Infotiv is a caring company, says Karin after a moment's reflection.
- Another strength is that there is a great willingness to help and be generous with their knowledge. If you need to discuss an idea, you can contact anyone.
Systematic work on health and safety at work
Infotiv conducts systematic work environment management and has a safety committee, an equality group and, in Gothenburg, a union safety representative.
- We have also recently updated both our work environment policy and equality policy. All to clarify what we do to achieve a good working environment and to ensure that there is no discrimination or harassment. We also work actively to ensure that employees actually report incidents when they occur. That they actually contact their manager, the HR manager or the safety committee," says Karin.
Homeworking opens up opportunities and makes demands
As I said, Karin herself works remotely and many people talk about how working from home will become more common in the future. How does Karin view this development?
- During the pandemic, everyone has taken a giant leap in terms of digitization and this is something we will benefit greatly from in the future. A big difference now compared to before the pandemic is that it is very easy to book team meetings. No one feels uncomfortable with it anymore, remote meetings have become normal. This development also means that it's easier to work from home for those who want to.
- At the same time, increased home working puts new demands on us as a company. The more flexible we become in terms of where we work, the more creative we need to be at Infotiv in terms of looking after our employees' health and trying to prevent problems before they occur. It's not just about what we and our employees want. What will the regulations look like? How do you do the annual safety audit in the office to check the physical work environment when employees largely work at home? What do we ourselves think is reasonable, and what will society's requirements be?
Telework also an environmental issue
Karin points out that homework can also be linked to environmental issues.
- It's great if we can do things remotely to a greater extent. And when we have to meet physically, can we walk or cycle? Can we use public transport? Can we skip the plane and take the train instead? One of the points in our environmental policy is that we should use digital meetings and choose the travel options that have the least impact on the environment," Karin concludes.
When the Teams meeting with Karin is closed and the interview is over, a very positive feeling lingers for a long time. Her ability to see opportunities and think positively regardless of the topic - and always with concern for her fellow human beings - creates the impression that Karin herself is an excellent example of how to live and breathe the motto "Warm heart and sharp mind".
