Social Responsibility Policies

A Bit of TLC Limited is a small business and, as such, is not required to register or post policies under legislation governing many aspects of daily business practice. However, we find that the simple principles of ‘do unto others as they do unto you’ and ‘common sense’ are very useful guidance for the way in which we conduct our business.

We also take all reasonable steps to keep informed of changes in legislation and to ensure that we are fully compliant.

Diversity

We fervently believe that prejudicial distinctions are wholly unacceptable. We endeavour always to treat, with the same level of courtesy and consideration, everybody and anybody, no matter what the colour of their skin, their race, religion (if any), age, social background, political views, physical ability, gender or sexual orientation. It is not just the law; it is part of decent humanity.

We believe that the very core of our business, in relation to the performing arts in and around London, benefits enormously from the wide diversity of participants on the stage, in the audience and throughout the production process; we are happy to celebrate excellence from all sources and have respect for the dignity of all whom we encounter.

Occasionally we hear unacceptable remarks about casting decisions, and we are prompt to challenge these – in our view excellence is the primary criterion for casting.

Modern Slavery

We strongly believe that slavery of any sort is repugnant. More than 200 years ago Britain was one of the first countries to legislate against slavery and current legislation against Modern Slavery is an important part of that tradition. However, there are estimated to be 50 million people presently in slavery around the world, which is a truly shameful number.

When dealing with any supplier we look at their policy and their reputation. We accept that, at times, this might result in higher financial costs, but we are adamant that there is no place in the modern world for slavery of any sort and we are committed to this approach.

Environmental

Our business has a minimal environmental impact. However, we have opportunities to make choices notably about the use of plastics vs sustainable materials or about the impact of transport.

Where we have such choices, we always reflect on environmental impact as a key criterion even if it results in higher costs. We also pay close attention to the environmental policies of suppliers, especially in transport.

Community

TLC is about community – not just the community of our members or our clients but also about the communities around us and within which we operate.

Since our incorporation we have faced the challenges of Covid and recession, both of which have had a dramatic impact on our wider community. In response (i) in 2020 TLC created a not-for-profit activity as TLC during COVID, with 150 volunteers providing first class food delivered to 500 households in the community and (ii) we manage TLC Live Events as a Foundation CIO (Charity number 1205113) to help teenagers with severe disabilities to gain access to live performances.

Health and Safety

We have a duty of care, set out in legislation for companies with more than five employees, to ensure the health and safety of those employed by us; we also we believe that we have a similar duty of care to our members.

While we do not strictly fall within the terms of legislation, we take our obligations seriously, undertaking reconnaissance visits to new venues and checking on access and assessing risk at any venue to which we intend to transport vulnerable individuals. Given the average age of our membership, attention to health and safety is always a core consideration. We also work with suppliers who are fully insured, observe best practice, have proper regard for the health and safety of their employees and our members and who, in our experience, act responsibly.