32 Dialog Semiconductor Plc | Annual report and accounts 2012 |  Section 2 | Business review Sustainability continued Health and safety Ethics Continuous innovation and  professional development Dialog considers a safe and healthy working  environment to be essential in the maintenance  of morale, productivity and the production of  high-quality, innovative products within our own  operations and those of our suppliers. We are  committed to implementing and facilitating  continuous improvements and to mitigating  operations-related risks. We expect our suppliers  to provide evidence of suitable controls, safe  working procedures, preventative maintenance  and general protective measures in their  working environments. When hazards cannot  be adequately controlled by these means alone,  suitable protective clothing or equipment is  supplied and evacuation procedures and  facilities are in place at Dialog’s and  suppliers’ premises. Dialog believes that continued success in the  semiconductor market can be achieved only  by adopting high standards of ethical behaviour  when dealing with customers, suppliers  and workers. Dialog has a commitment to the training and  development of all staff at all levels of the  organisation. Our vision is to develop a positive  learning culture which fully supports the  development of the individual and the growth  of the business. It is particularly important to protect Intellectual  Property (“IP”), which is the key to ensuring the  development of innovative solutions to complex  problems. Any transfer of technology or  know-how is always done in a manner that  protects IP rights, but also enables us to discuss  products openly with our business partners.  The disclosure of information which is related  to business activities, structure, our financial  situation and performance is always carried out  in accordance with applicable regulations and  prevailing industry practices. We expect the  highest standards of integrity from all Dialog  stakeholders. Any malpractice is strictly  prohibited and may result in immediate employer  or supplier termination and legal action. The Company has a global learning and  development strategy, which has been written  in order to support both the development of  the organisation and the individuals within it.  The strategy supports the key aims of Dialog’s  annual business plan. Everyone within the  organisation has the opportunity to participate  in a variety of training events, which feed into  these key aims. Every supplier is required to complete a  self-audit questionnaire to identify and  document compliance. We also carry out regular  on-site audits of all of our major suppliers.  In addition, 96% of our major suppliers have  their own documented corporate social  responsibility policy, which we aim to increase  to 100% by the end of 2013. Neither we, nor our suppliers, offer or accept  inducements or any other means of obtaining  undue or improper advantage. We have a  “whistle-blower” policy in place to protect  employees’ confidentiality and encourage our suppliers to do the same.  Dialog has clear career levels and paths for those  wishing to pursue a technical career or to focus  on leadership and management. For example,  Dialog has created a Technical Ladder, which  provides promotional opportunities for those  who bring great value to the Company through  their technical expertise and want to focus their  careers on that know-how, rather than on  management and leadership. Employees who  are successful in gaining a place on the Ladder  spend around 20% of their time researching  Dialog’s five design locations currently  recycle 92% of packing and waste and  the Company is on track to meet a target of 95% by 2013.