CHAPTER 2

Getting Started

Expectations & Code of Conduct

As Stone Tile employees, there are certain expectations of you. We expect all employees to be available to work during regular work hours as described in this manual. From time to time, you may be asked to work overtime or to adjust your hours of work to meet the needs of Stone Tile or a particular project. Provided the request is not too onerous we expect that you will attempt to accommodate these requests. We also expect that you always keep the best interest of Stone Tile at heart when dealing with the public, our customers, suppliers or contractors. We expect, and insist as a condition of employment, that you follow all safety rules and regulations.

All employees are expected to maintain a code of conduct that reflects the highest standards of personal and professional integrity and to comply with all applicable laws when dealing with individuals both within and outside of our company.

We place a high value on every employee in Stone Tile. Your contribution to our overall goals will never be taken for granted.

In return for your contribution, you receive:

Your Paycheque
Health & Dental Care Benefits
Paid Statutory Holidays
Annual Vacation
Paid Sick Days
Paid Float Days
Training
Competitive Bonus Programs

Personal Appearance & Dress Code

Dress, grooming and personal cleanliness standards contribute to the morale of all employees and affect the business image Stone Tile presents to customers and visitors. During business hours, employees are expected to present a clean and neat appearance and to dress in a manner appropriate to the nature and duties of their work and reflective of good taste.

Employees who appear for work inappropriately dressed will be sent home by their Manager and directed to return to work in appropriate attire. Under such circumstances, employees will not be compensated for the time away from work and may also be subject to a verbal disciplinary warning. Subsequent offences will result in further disciplinary action.

Office Team Casual Dress clothing should be pressed and never wrinkled. Torn, dirty, or frayed clothing is not acceptable. All seams must be finished and clothing must be free of frays and tears. Overall appearance should remain clean, professional and polished. A list of allowable and non-allowable clothing options include:

General Rules for Production, Facilities, Warehouse, Samples, & Maintenance Team Members:

All uniforms/clothing provided by Stone Tile are to be used for work-related purposes only. Avoid wearing uniforms during off-work hours, in places that would not represent a positive image of Stone Tile.
Clothing must never interfere with the safe operation of equipment.
Dangling or loose jewelry must not be worn when operating machinery.
Long hair must be tied back when operating machinery.
All required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be used where required.

Grooming & Hygiene

Stone Tile encourages all employees to maintain a daily personal hygiene program. Hair, teeth, and fingernails should be clean. Shoes should be polished, deodorant should be used and breath should be fresh.

Use of fragrances should also be avoided or kept to a minimum as the use of perfume; colognes or scented products can be deemed offensive or may aggravate allergies. If your perfume, cologne or scented product is negatively impacting other employees who have sensitivities, you may be requested to refrain from wearing or using fragrances in the workplace.

Conflict of Interest

Stone Tile employees shall refrain from knowingly engaging in any outside matters of financial interest incompatible with the impartial objective and effective performance of their employment duties. They shall not realize personal gain in any form which would improperly influence the conduct of their Stone Tile duties. Employees shall not knowingly use Stone Tile’s property, funds, position or power for personal gain. Employees shall also inform their manager or Human Resources in writing of any potential or foreseeable conflicts.

Conflict Resolution

Conflict in the workplace can be incredibly destructive to good teamwork. Open communication and respect for fellow employees are the first step to creating a cohesive work atmosphere. To calm situations down, it helps to take a positive approach to conflict resolution, where discussion is courteous and non-confrontational, and the focus is on issues rather than on individuals. If this is done, then, as long as people listen carefully and explore facts, issues and possible solutions properly, conflict can often be resolved effectively.

Accessible Employment Policy (AODA) – Ontario

Intent

Stone Tile International Inc. provides accessible employment in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and its associated regulations. This policy sets out the company’s commitment to standards for accessible employment. It does not apply to volunteers or other individuals who are not paid.

Statement of Commitment

Stone Tile International Inc. is committed to providing an accessible environment for all clients, employees, job applicants, suppliers, and visitors who may enter our premises, access our information, or use our services. As an organization, we respect and comply with the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and its associated regulations. We strive to provide an accessible and welcoming environment for everyone by identifying and removing barriers in our workplace and ensuring that new barriers are not created. The company ensures that persons with disabilities are provided with equal opportunities. We are committed to meeting the needs of individuals with disabilities in a timely and integrative manner that respects their dignity and independence.

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Definitions

Accessible formats: Includes but not limited to large print, recorded audio and electronic formats, and other formats usable by persons with disabilities.

Communication supports: Includes but not limited to captioning, alternative and augmentative communication supports, plain language, and other supports that facilitate effective communication.

Redeployment: The reassignment of an employee to another department or job in the company as an alternative to layoff when their job or department has been eliminated by the company.

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Guidelines

Employment

Accommodations are available from the beginning of the recruitment process. Information regarding the availability of accommodations is included in all job postings. Applicants selected to participate in an assessment or the selection process are informed that accommodations are available upon request. Where an accommodation is requested, the company consults with the applicant and provides or arranges for suitable accommodation that meets their individual needs. Successful applicants are made aware of the company’s policies for accommodating employees with disabilities when an offer of employment is made.

Accessible Workplace Information

Stone Tile International Inc. ensures that new employees are aware of the policies and supports available for employees with disabilities as soon as reasonably possible after beginning employment and all employees are informed of any updates to existing policies. The company has the following policies to support employees with disabilities:

Accessible Employment Policy
Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Poli
Statement of Commitment to Accessibility Memo

These policies are available on the Stone Tile Digital Employee Handbook for employees to reference. Any changes to existing policies and procedures are communicated to employees promptly.

The company provides employees (including coop students and contract staff) with training on the accessibility standards set out in the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation, the Human Rights Code, and the company’s accessibility policies, including any updates to these policies. Training is provided as soon as reasonably practicable, and the contents of the training provided are relevant to the employee’s duties and responsibilities.

Upon request, the company provides or arranges for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for employees with disabilities regarding information needed to perform their job and other information that is generally available to all employees in the workplace. Individualized workplace emergency response information is also provided to an employee with a disability where necessary. An employee who requires workplace information in an accessible format or with communication support should contact the Director of People & Culture, Courtney Milne at cmilne@stone-tile.com or 416-515-9000 Ext 3237. The company will consult with the employee making the request to determine the best way to provide the accessible format or communication support.

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Individual Accommodations

Stone Tile International Inc. creates and documents individual accommodation plans for employees with disabilities upon request. An employee with a disability who requires an individual accommodation plan should inform the Director of People & Culture. These plans include:

Information regarding accessible formats and communication supports, where requested;
Individualized workplace emergency response information, where necessary; and
Details of any other accommodation provided.

Where an employee is absent from work due to a disability and requires accommodation to return to work, the company will develop and document individual return-to-work processes.

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Performance Management and Career Development

The accessibility needs of employees with disabilities are considered in all aspects of the employment relationship, including during performance management processes, career development or advancement opportunities, and in the event of redeployment. Individual accommodation plans are consulted, where they exist, as part of this process.

AODA Accessible Standards for Customer Service Policy

Intent

This policy is intended to meet the requirements of Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (O. Reg. 191/11) under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and applies to the provision of goods and services to the public or other third parties, not to the goods themselves.

Stone Tile International Inc. is committed to providing an accessible environment for all clients, employees, job applicants, suppliers, and visitors who may enter our premises, access our information, or use our services. As an organization, we respect and comply with the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and its associated regulations. We strive to provide an accessible and welcoming environment for everyone by identifying and removing barriers in our workplace and ensuring that new barriers are not created. All goods and services provided by Stone Tile shall follow the principles of dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity.

Definitions

Assistive Device

A technical aid, communication device or other instrument that is used to maintain or improve the functional abilities of people with disabilities. Personal assistive devices are typically devices that customers bring with them such as a wheelchair, walker or a personal oxygen tank that might assist in hearing, seeing, communicating, moving, breathing, remembering and/or reading.

Disability

The term disability as defined by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and the Ontario Human Rights Code, refers to:

Any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical co-ordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device;
A condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability;
A learning disability, or dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language;
A mental disorder; or
An injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.

Guide Dog

A highly trained working dog that has been trained at one of the facilities listed in Ontario Regulation 58 under the Blind Persons' Rights Act, to provide mobility, safety and increased independence for people who are blind.

Service Animal

As reflected in Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (O. Reg. 191/11), an animal is a service animal for a person with a disability if:

It is readily apparent that the animal is used by the person for reasons relating to his or her disability; or
If the person provides a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to the disability.

Service Dog

As reflected in Health Protection and Promotion Act, Ontario Regulation 562 a dog other than a guide dog for the blind is a service dog if:

It is readily apparent to an average person that the dog functions as a service dog for a person with a medical disability; or
The person who requires the dog can provide on request a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires a service dog.

Support Person

As reflected in Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (O. Reg. 191/11), a support person means, in relation to a person with a disability, another person who accompanies him or her to help with communication, mobility, personal care, medical needs or access to goods and services.

Guidelines

In accordance with the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (O. Reg. 191/11), this policy addresses the following key areas:

The Provision of Goods and Services to Persons with Disabilities

Stone Tile will make every reasonable effort to ensure that its policies, practices and procedures are consistent with the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity by:

Ensuring that all customers receive the same experience and quality of service.
Allowing customers with disabilities to do things in their own ways, at their own pace when accessing goods and services as long as this does not present a safety risk.
Using alternative methods when possible to ensure that customers with disabilities have access to the same services, in the same place and in a similar manner.
Taking into account individual needs when providing goods and services.
Communicating in a manner that takes into account the customer's disability.

Upon request, Stone Tile will provide a person with a disability with a copy of this policy, or the information contained within it, in a format that meets their accessibility needs. Requests should be directed to the Director People & Culture, Courtney Milne at cmilne@stone-tile.com or 416-515-9000 Ext 3237.

The Use of Assistive Devices

Customer's Own Assistive Device(s)

Persons with disabilities may use their own assistive devices as required when accessing goods or services provided by Stone Tile. In cases where the assistive device presents a safety concern or where accessibility might be an issue, other reasonable measures will be used to ensure the access of goods and services. For example, open flames and oxygen tanks cannot be near one another. Therefore, the accommodation of a customer with an oxygen tank may involve ensuring the customer is in a location that would be considered safe for both the customer and business. Or, where elevators are not present and where an individual requires assistive devices for the purposes of mobility, service will be provided in a location that meets the needs of the customer.

Guide Dogs, Service Animals and Service Dogs

A customer with a disability that is accompanied by guide dog, service animal or service dog will be allowed access to premises that are open to the public unless otherwise excluded by law. "No pet" policies do not apply to guide dogs, service animals and/or service dogs.

Recognizing a Guide Dog, Service Dog and/or Service Animal:

If it is not readily apparent that the animal is being used by the customer for reasons relating to his or her disability, Stone Tile may request verification from the customer.

Verification may include:

A letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons related to the disability.
A valid identification card signed by the Attorney General of Canada.
A certificate of training from a recognized guide dog or service animal training school.

Care and Control of the Animal:

The customer that is accompanied by a guide dog, service dog and/or service animal is responsible for maintaining care and control of the animal at all times.

Allergies

If a health and safety concern presents itself for example in the form of a severe allergy to the animal, Stone Tile will make all reasonable efforts to meet the needs of all individuals.

The Use of Support Persons

If a customer with a disability is accompanied by a support person, Stone Tile will ensure that both persons are allowed to enter the premises together and that the customer is not prevented from having access to the support person. There may be times where seating and availability prevent the customer and support person from sitting beside each other. In these situations Stone Tile will make every reasonable attempt to resolve the issue. In situations where confidential information might be discussed, consent will be obtained from the customer, prior to any conversation where confidential information might be discussed.

Notice of Disruptions in Service

Service disruptions may occur due to reasons that may or may not be within the control or knowledge of Stone Tile. In the event of any temporary disruptions to facilities or services that customer's with disabilities rely on to access or use Stone Tile's goods or services, reasonable efforts will be made to provide advance notice. In some circumstances such as in the situation of unplanned temporary disruptions, advance notice may not be possible.

Notifications will include:

In the event that a notification needs to be posted the following information will be included unless it is not readily available or known:

Goods or services that are disrupted or unavailable.
Reason for the disruption.
Anticipated duration.
A description of alternative services or options.

Notification Options

When disruptions occur Stone Tile will provide notice by:

Posting notices in conspicuous places including at the point of disruption, at the main entrance and the nearest accessible entrance to the service disruption and/or on the Stone Tile website.
Contacting customers with appointments.
Verbally notifying customers when they are making a reservation or appointment
By any other method that may be reasonable under the circumstances.

Customer Feedback

Stone Tile shall provide customers with the opportunity to provide feedback on the service provided to customers with disabilities. Information about the feedback process will be readily available to all customers and notice of the process will be made available by having access to forms on-site, calling our customer service department, and submitting feedback via Stone Tile website. Feedback forms along with alternate methods of providing feedback such as verbally (in person or by telephone) or written (handwritten, delivered, website or email), will be available upon request.

Customers can submit feedback to:

Courtney Milne, Director People & Culture

416-515-9000 ext.3237

834 Caledonia Road

Toronto, ON

M6B 3X9

cmilne@stone-tile.com

Customers who wish to provide feedback by completing an onsite customer feedback form or verbally can do so to any Stone Tile location by submitting a customer feedback form or speaking with a customer service representative in person. Customers that provide formal feedback will receive acknowledgement of their feedback, along with any resulting actions based on concerns or complaints that were submitted.

Training

Every provider of goods or services shall ensure that the following persons receive training about the provision of its goods or services to persons with disabilities:

Every person who deals with members of the public or other third parties on behalf of the provider, whether the person does so as an employee, agent, volunteer or otherwise.
Every person who participates in developing the provider’s policies, practices and procedures governing the provision of goods or services to members of the public or other third parties. O. Reg. 429/07, s. 6 (1).

Training Provisions

As reflected in Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (O. Reg. 191/11), regardless of the format, training will cover the following:

A review of the purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
A review of the requirements of the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (O. Reg. 191/11).
Instructions on how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities.
Instructions on how to interact with people with disabilities who:

o Use assistive devices

o Require the assistance of a guide dog, service dog or other service animal

o Require the use of a support person

Instructions on what to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty accessing your services.
Stone Tile's policies, procedures and practices pertaining to providing accessible customer

service to customers with disabilities.

Training Schedule

Stone Tile will provide training as soon as it is practical to do so. Training will be provided to new

employees, volunteers, agents and/or contractor who deal with the public. Revised training will be provided in the event of changes to legislation, procedures and/or practices.

Record of Training

Stone Tile will keep a record of training that includes the dates training was provided and the number of employees who attended the training.

Notice of Availability and Format of Documents

Stone Tile shall notify customers that the documents related to the Accessibility Standard for Customer Service are available upon request and in a format that takes into account the customer's disability.

Notification will be given by posting the information in a conspicuous place owned and operated by Stone Tile, Stone Tile's website and/or any other reasonable method.

Administration

If you have any questions or concerns about this policy or its related procedures please contact