Values & Commitment

Honest, appreciative and team-oriented

We are a team - the whole catworkx group. We encourage independence and an autonomous way of working within the catworkx Group. Managers are role models and have internalized the core values of catworkx. They are encouraged to enable employees to recognize, accept and solve tasks on the basis of their own competence and experience and to take responsibility for them to the appropriate extent. The line manager always remains a reliable point of contact for questions or in the event of escalation. Flat hierarchies and a minimum of internal organizational boundaries illustrate the idea of a common team spirit that should encompass the entire catworkx group of companies. We reflect on our work results and give constructive feedback as a team. We value fair dealings with one another, in which mistakes are seen as an opportunity for improvement. This includes, on the one hand, constantly questioning and improving the way in which feedback is given and, on the other hand, taking a self-critical look at our own behavior and distancing ourselves from ourselves. At the same time, we reflect on the basic values of catworkx in all our day-to-day work and use them as a guide when making decisions. A motivating working atmosphere characterized by commitment, mutual openness and appreciation is important to us. This is reflected, among other things, in trust, respect, goodwill and commitment to a sense of community and a working environment free of discrimination and fear. In this context, the catworkx managing directors as employers have a special duty of care for the employees. We take any signs of overstepping boundaries and abuse of power seriously, address this behavior clearly and openly and actively intervene if we witness assaults or other inappropriate behavior.  

Highly professional, collaborative and committed

We create added value - for the customer and for us. We are a technically and methodically competent partner and reliable contact for our customers. We are committed to our customers, reflect their interests and create intelligent solutions with added value. On the one hand, this means exploiting the strength of catworkx and offering our customers individual services that go far beyond the standard. On the other hand, catworkx will increasingly focus on expanding reproducible products and processes for enterprise customers. We strive for a business relationship at eye level with the greatest possible seriousness, communicate clearly and bindingly and promise nothing that we cannot deliver. On the one hand, we achieve this by speaking with one voice to our customers and remaining well coordinated as a team. On the other hand, we always focus on good quality and cost-effective solutions for the customer, even if this means saying a justified "no" to customer requirements. When addressing customers, we are always results-oriented and committed, we are authentic, but always remain appreciative, thoughtful and objective.  In concrete terms, this means that we make verifiable, reliable statements to our customers, communicate analysis results and decision-making paths transparently and provide the customer with viable arguments. We are listeners and expert advisors, maintaining the necessary professional distance to actively support them in their decision-making process. At the same time, this also means being flexible and agile in dealing with alternative concepts.   

Open internal culture

We are constantly learning and developing. We facilitate the exchange of knowledge, which is supported by suitable tools and environments, and create the framework conditions that are important for learning independent of time and location. Managers should always provide targeted impetus and encourage employees to work together on new ideas for products and services. In this way, we strengthen our professionalism in technical terms and continue to expand our methodological expertise. We maintain what has proven to be successful. Nevertheless, we encourage employees and managers to question products and processes and to express appropriate criticism in both directions in order to achieve an open exchange of opinions. This willingness to embrace new ideas enables us to respond to current market needs at an early stage and to adapt our service portfolio as required and with regard to the economic and social situation.

Data protection

We respect and protect data and information at all times. Our customers, employees and business partners expect us to handle their information and personal data with care. We guarantee the confidentiality, integrity, availability and authenticity of this data at every stage of information processing in the interests of the persons concerned and also of catworkx. A breach of data protection laws can have serious consequences under criminal law for catworkx and every employee personally. In order to achieve this goal, not only must legal regulations for the protection of personal data be complied with, but suitable technical and organizational measures must also be implemented. We are aware of the risks associated with technical systems and communication technologies and take the necessary care when processing personal data. To this end, we have established a data protection management system and work together with an external data protection officer, among others, who can be contacted at any time in the event of questions and/or uncertainties. Further details are set out in the catworkx data protection policy.  

Handling confidential information and trade secrets

We always treat data and information confidentially. The practiced transparency of information at catworkx and the associated information knowledge of every employee requires a high level of trust. We rely on information to carry out our tasks and must also share it with colleagues. If we come into contact with personal data of colleagues, customers or service providers in this context, we always treat it confidentially.  Confidentiality must be maintained with regard to official matters, such as details concerning the organization and set-up of the company, even after termination of the employment relationship, provided that the information in question has not become public knowledge. Among them the following are included:

• Data from customers and customer projects
• Personal information from colleagues
• Information on business transactions
• Information on internal accounting figures
• Information on transactions from third-party companies

All records, copies, business documents and photocopies of official or business transactions relating to official activities must be protected from unauthorized access. Employees in personnel management or with system administrator rights in particular must be acutely aware of their responsibility. Violations of these obligations may constitute breaches of employment law obligations and therefore have consequences under employment law. Breaches of confidentiality, including under Section 42 BDSG (new) and other criminal provisions, can be punished with imprisonment or fines. The disclosure of business or trade secrets is also punishable by law (§17 UWG). Telecommunications data is subject to telecommunications secrecy (§ 88 TKG). A breach of telecommunications secrecy is punishable by law (§ 206 StGB). All employees have signed the regulations in the "Obligation of confidentiality".  

Company assets

We treat company property and catworkx assets with care and responsibility. We are all responsible for treating the work equipment provided by the company carefully and with care, as we would our own property. We exploit the catworkx IT infrastructure to carry out our tasks and ensure that these systems and hardware are protected against internal and external misuse. Further details are defined in the catworkx IT guideline.

Health promotion and prevention

We take care of our health. Promoting the health and well-being of our employees is a matter close to our hearts. This includes incentives for a healthy lifestyle in everyday working life and the implementation of a health-promoting workplace, with appropriate scope for a good work-life balance.  

Sustainability

Sustainability and the careful use of resources is our goal. We strive to integrate the concept of sustainability into all areas of our day-to-day work:

• We invest in long-term, stable relationships with our customers and business partners. Promoting a reliable, trusting partnership helps to create sustainable solutions and added value.
• Each of our employees already makes a contribution to the common good within the scope of their personal circumstances, within their own individual framework. As a Pledge 1% member, we also encourage all employees to get involved in charitable and social projects, whether as a volunteer, with a donation or in the form of professional or technical support. More details about Pledge 1% can be found here.
• We make many small contributions to the careful use of resources, such as offering company bicycles or company cars with hybrid drives. We like to work remotely. However, as we do not want to do without personal contact with our customers and partners, employees are spread across various locations, we try to reduce our travel activities wherever possible, promote local proximity to our customers and operate more sustainably.
• Every catworkx employee is important and contributes significantly to the success and growth of catworkx.  For this reason, we invest a great deal in ensuring that catworkx employees remain with the company over the long term. Many employees have been with the company for many years, and every new employee is trained and deployed flexibly and according to their strengths, as well as receiving further training and support. In the event of personal changes, employees are supported individually in order to find sustainable solutions. It is important to the catworkx management to live up to its social responsibility.

The catworkx management and all employees undertake to comply with the fundamental principles and rights in the world of work, in particular compliance with the laws on the elimination of child labor and the protection of children and young people, equal opportunities and equal treatment, occupational health and safety and maternity protection.  

Attitude to corruption and bribery

Honest out of conviction. The quality of our products and services speaks for itself. We reject any form of undue advantage, as this is not an acceptable means of achieving our corporate goals. We do not promise or give any payments or valuable gifts in order to induce employees of companies or (foreign) authorities to give us an unjustified business advantage or to harm others. We do not tolerate any form of abuse of power intended to influence the behavior of a recipient in order to gain a personal advantage.

Gifts, invitations and travel

We reject the acceptance of benefits. When accepting gifts and other benefits, every employee must ask themselves to what extent these are customary in the business and correspond to the personal status or rank of the giver and the recipient.  In some cultures, gifts are customary and show mutual appreciation between business partners. However, if we assume that gifts or other benefits are associated with obligations and expectations that go beyond a business partnership, it is safer to refuse them and report this incident to a manager as inappropriate behavior.  Invitations that are overly generous or inappropriate and/or do not have a clear and legitimate business purpose are also not permitted.  We may not solicit gifts, hospitality, entertainment or anything else of value to us and/or our family members and/or friends from service providers and business partners; asking others for such favors is inappropriate.   

Dealing with service providers

Act as you would like to be treated yourself. When we interact with service providers, we treat them professionally and work together in an open and honest manner. This is particularly evident in transparent communication, direct feedback and efforts to resolve potential conflicts in a constructive manner. In principle, we pursue a handshake mentality, which means that when working with business partners, we do not promise anything that we cannot keep. This approach prohibits unethical behavior, such as undue influence, the agreement of side agreements that are not contractually stipulated and have not been approved, and the toleration of a conflict of interest. When selecting service providers, we proceed as impartially as possible and select the partner that is best suited to the assignment. Objective criteria for a decision for or against a service provider are the quality offered, the price, the service, the reliability and availability as well as the technical performance and contract fulfillment. In addition, the fulfillment of data protection requirements also plays a major role in the extent to which we want to work with a service provider. For these purposes, there are appropriate contract templates to help with the decision-making process.  

Dealing with market competitors

Fair dealings with our market partners are important to us. At trade fairs and events, we frequently meet employees from our competitors. We also do not act independently of our competitors in our marketing communications, for example on social media channels. We respect them and take note of their performance. A careful approach to statements about our competitors and their products and services is therefore essential. Whenever we use information to advertise our products and services or to compare them with those of our competitors, strict limits apply, which are regulated in the law against unfair competition (e.g. §4 and §6 UWG). Further legal conditions can be found in §§185, §186 and §187 StGB and §823 BGB. Likewise, when applying for and hiring new employees, catworkx adheres to not violating their confidentiality obligations, especially if they were previously employed by a competitor.  

Conflicts of interest

Company interests take precedence over personal interests. At catworkx, business decisions are always made in the interests of the company. This means that we avoid actions, relationships or situations that may lead to an actual or potential conflict of interest, or if such an impression is created. We speak of a conflict of interest when our personal interests and the interests of catworkx are not aligned and when our judgment in our day-to-day work or loyalty to catworkx may be called into question. If such a conflict of interest exists, this is not yet an offense; the decisive factor is dealing with it openly and transparently.  

Reputation of catworkx in public

We preserve and protect the reputation of catworkx at all times. Every employee has a significant influence on the reputation of catworkx through their appearance, behavior and actions - each of us represents the company internally and externally. In our dealings with customers, business partners and the public, we influence their trust in our products and services. We protect the reputation of catworkx not only in a corporate context, even when we speak as private individuals, we make sure that our appearance does not damage the reputation of catworkx or a catworkx location.