Contents

1. Welcome Message
2. Welcoming
3. Life on board
4. Safety, Health and Wellbeing
5. Sustainability & Social Responsibility
6. Code of Conduct & other Policies
7. Partnerships & Benefits

Welcome Message

Dear Employee,

Douro Azul welcomes you to this organization on behalf of all its employees.

Integrating a new employee into our team is above all about promoting the best conditions for adaptation, so that you feel part of our team as quickly as possible.

This handbook has been prepared for you, with the aim of facilitating your integration and your professional career in an experience that you are currently starting, and which we hope will be truly enriching.

We hope to offer all our employees the working conditions that will enable them to perform efficiently, based on precision, professionalism and productivity. However, we also hope to receive your commitment and active participation in achieving our mission, through your own experience, motivation and ambition for professional fulfillment.

We wish you every success in your professional activity at Douro Azul.

DOURO AZUL

Douro Azul is the leading Portuguese river cruise company and one of Portugal’s most dynamic tourism groups. Founded in 1993, Douro Azul has been committed from the outset to providing the highest quality of service to its guests, while maintaining the traditional charm of the Douro region’s culture. With a fleet of 12 modern luxury river cruise ships, Douro Azul offers customers the chance to discover the Douro, its culture and breathtaking scenery in luxury and comfort. Douro Azul was voted the best river cruise company in Europe at the World Travel Awards in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2024 as well as the best river cruise company in the world in 2024.

Our mission

We believe that by traveling we can contribute to a more open and richer world, enjoying it in a sustainable and respectful way, contributing to the safeguarding and preservation of the environment, local cultures and traditions, and providing career and development opportunities at the local level.

Our Vision

We are focused on offering a high standard of service and continually improving the products and services we offer to those who choose our brands to travel and enjoy the best the world has to offer. It is this focus and commitment that will keep us growing and innovating, always determined to provide a high quality/price ratio service to our guests, exploring new regions, developing new products and embarking on new and inspiring journeys.

Welcoming

I’VE BEEN HIRED, WHAT NOW? 

UNIFORMS

In order to perform your duties, you need a uniform, which is why your uniform is provided by the company.

By now, you should have the complete uniform in your possession. When you were given your uniform, you were also asked to sign a term of responsibility, which means that you are now responsible for it. There are rules to take into account when it comes to wearing uniforms, which will be explained later.

However, if there are any problems with your uniform (e.g. modifications) you should speak to the ship’s housekeeper who will assess whether the changes can be made on board or whether  there’s need for new ones.

MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS

All employees must undergo medical examinations on admission and periodically, in accordance with the legislation in force, as well as those specifically required to assess their suitability to perform certain duties.

Medical examinations are carried out by qualified health professionals and must be carried out by all employees, whenever possible, before they start work. They consist of complementary means of diagnosis and other clinical examinations to assess the employee’s general condition and suitability for the job. Each medical examination results in the occupational physician drawing up a medical record, which is subject to professional secrecy, and an aptitude record which is sent to the Human Resources Department.

ARRIVAL ON THE SHIP

Now that you’ve taken care of all the formalities, it’s time to join the rest of the team on board the ship. On arrival, you will be met at Reception by the Director of the Hotel Ship (DNH) and the head of the department to which you belong. Your welcome and integration into the team will then begin. We hope you feel welcome!

Life on Board

Life in community means compliance with the rules of life on board, in order to make living together as pleasant as possible.

RULES OF LIFE ON BOARD

SAFETY RULES

A ship has its own characteristics that make the working environment much more demanding when it comes to safety regulations. These safety rules are extremely important because they guarantee the safety of everyone who works and lives on board.

These safety rules affect everything from the time you get on board to the handling of equipment.

Entry on board

When leaving the ship, all crew must carry their company card or ship’s badge so that the sailor on duty can check them in at the gangway – entry on board the ship is only possible within the set hours and only when using the employee ID card.

                                                            HOURS: 06:00 until 02:00

Access to the ship is via the gangway, where no more than 3 people can be on board at the same time.

Safety Briefing

There will be regular training sessions on safety on board, provided by members of the sailing team. If you have any questions on the subject, please contact the Master of the ship.

Stairs

The ship’s structure is already quite complex and challenging, with equipment and infrastructure limiting mobility on board. Some of the main sources of accidents on board are floor changes, changes in height, exterior stairs and/or narrow staircases.

In order to ensure your safety and avoid possible accidents, it is imperative that you descend the stairs with your back turned, especially:

• the external stairs at the stern (back of the ship)
• bunk stairs
• access stairs to the engine room (restricted access)

 Still on the subject of ladder access, it’s important to note that any emergency access MUST NOT BE OBSTRUCTED!

Allergies and Medicines

If you have a food allergy, you should report it to the DNH, who in turn should report it to the Chef de Cuisine.

The same advice is given to those who take regular medication, especially for neurological and psychiatric conditions; you should also always have the prescription with you.

Smoking

Smoking is strictly forbidden inside the ship; employees may smoke in the designated area, which is located aft of the sundeck. Likewise, even when outside, smoking is prohibited at the entrance to the ship, so smokers should move to a more distant area.

CABIN ACCCOMODATION

Cabins are limited spaces in terms of space, but they can accommodate a maximum of four people. To make this as cordial and orderly as possible, there are rules that must be followed:

• The cabins must always be clean and tidy;
• They must be cleaned and sanitized daily and it is the responsibility of each crew member;
• General cleaning is weekly (or whenever necessary) and is carried out on a scale (per occupied bed);
• Beds must be made daily!
• All cabins are equipped with a bathroom and shower, which must be kept clean and tidy;
• Only toilet paper may be placed in the toilet – DO NOT PUT ANYTHING DOWN THE TOILET, or you will clog up the whole ship’s vacuum system!
• Clothing and footwear must be accommodated in such a way as not to disturb the mobility and space of other cabin mates;
• Cabins are assigned by the DNH;
• The cabins are inspected weekly by the Master, DNH and Housekeeper;
• The walls between cabins are thin and not soundproof; therefore, and out of respect for colleagues who are resting, it is necessary to reduce the noise made inside and outside the cabins;
• Rest hours are not the same for everyone, so try to pay attention to the noise and light you create when you enter the cabin so as not to disturb those who are resting;
• The cabins are accessed with an electronic key – you must ensure that you keep your key with you and that you always leave the cabin locked when you leave;
• The cabins are a private space for the team members; treat it as such!

LAUNDRY

Personal clothing and uniforms are washed on board at no extra cost to you; however, there are procedures that must be followed for the laundry to work properly.

Uniforms are washed every day if necessary (except on general cleaning/check-out days) and for this you must place your uniforms in the designated area at the end of each working day.

Personal clothes are washed once a week (on the day designated for each department) and must always be handed in at the designated time; after that time, no more clothes can be left, only the following week.

If you have any questions about how the laundry works, ask your ship’s housekeeper.

CREW MESSE

The crew mess is the area where crew members can have their meals but also use as a space for leisure, socializing and training. Meals are taken in the crew mess and it is the responsibility of each member to ensure that it is clean, hygienic and tidy.

As this is a place shared by everyone, there are procedures that must be followed:

• The crew mess area must be cleaned before and after each meal. The cleaning schedule is posted and everyone is included;
• The restaurant and bar team is responsible for placing and replacing drinks, condiments and crockery;
• The housekeeping team is responsible for providing and replenishing the necessary cleaning products;
• The kitchen team is responsible for providing and replenishing food;
• Meal times duration are 1 hour and 30 minutes, except on “days off” when they are 1 hour;
• Each employee is responsible for putting away the utensils they use;
• People must leave the space they have used clean and tidy;
• Whenever any product is finished, they must inform
• Cleaning and tidying as well as supplying the mess crew is done according to a previously defined schedule approved by the DNH and Master.
• DNHs and HODs must supervise that the cleanliness of the mess is maintained accordingly.

COMMUNICATION

RELATIONS

Interpersonal relationships are extremely important for life on board. The fact that you live and work in the same place and with the same people means that the atmosphere can sometimes become emotionally intense and volatile; for this very reason, respect for your colleagues’ work is essential if the environment is to remain calm. Dialogue should always be conducted politely, cordially and with respect.

For the most part, problems can be resolved quickly and efficiently through open and constructive communication.

To ensure good organization and efficient service, it is important to know and respect the official communication channels on board:

• The first contact person on board is your department head, who reports to the Director;
• The highest authority for safety on board is the Master;
• The highest authority for managing the on-board hospitality team is the Director;
• In all abnormal situations, always contact your direct manager;
• In the event of an incident, it is the responsibility of the DNH and the Master to jointly identify the best solution.

CHANGING SHIPS

In general, each employee will spend the entire season on the ship they were assigned at the beginning of the season. However, there may be exceptional cases such as:

• Replacing employees on sick leave or absent for other reasons;
• Promotion of duties to be performed;
• Strategic decisions defined by the company.

CORPORATE TV

Since the 2025 season, Douro Azul has had a Corporate TV service incorporated into the crew’s television sets. This software, which is interactive, aims to standardize information and guarantee the communication of official company matters that are transversal to all teams and ships.On this television you can access news from the organization, information relevant to your ship and team, but also use it for leisure time. Give it a try!

WHISTLEBLOWING CHANNEL

The company has a whistleblowing channel, encouraging all those who become aware of irregularities in the context of their professional relationship with any person and/or entity of the Group to report them.with any person and/or entity in the Group, to report these situations which would otherwise go undetected.

Any acts or omissions that are contrary to European Union law, acts or omissions that are contrary to or violate the provisions of the Group’s Code of Conduct and its policies in force, as well as conduct that constitutes violent, especially violent and highly organized crime, should be reported, namely:

1.Drug/weapons trafficking;

2.Influence peddling;

3.Undue receipt of an advantage;

4.Active and passive corruption;

5.Economic participation in business;

6.Money laundering;

7.Criminal association, among others.

When submitting a report, you can identify yourself or remain anonymous.

You can make a complaint in several ways:

• Via the website: https://mysticinvest.workky.com/portal-denuncias
• In person at the premises: Rua de Miragaia, 103, 4050-387 Porto
• In writing by post to the same address
• By e-mail to: mysticinvest@pluris.pt

PROFESSIONAL PRIDE AND STANDARDS

COMMUNICATION WITH CUSTOMER

• Greet customers, whenever possible, before they greet you;
• When necessary, ask for the customer’s NAME, not their room number;
• Make eye contact, smile and call customers by name;
• Practicing active listening – listening attentively, with real interest in what is being said;
• Speaking clearly and using a positive tone of voice;
• Being polite (e.g. “Please”, “Thank you”, “My pleasure”, “May I suggest…”, “Certainly”, etc.)
• Use appropriate body language (e.g. walk with your head held high, with a cheerful expression and a normal stride);
• Anticipate the client’s needs by observing them and their surroundings;
• Ask open-ended questions to identify needs;
• When a customer approaches, stop and give them your full attention;
• If you can’t see the customer immediately, let them know you’ve seen them: visually, with a smile, or verbally (e.g. “I’ll be with you in a moment”).
• Show empathy with customers facing difficult situations.

HYGIENE ROUTINES

• BATHING DAILY or twice a day, ensuring the necessary frequency to prevent the formation of body odor, which can vary slightly from person to person and is affected by hormonal factors, stress, sweating, etc. People who perspire more heavily or have a stronger odor should take care to use deodorant. Wet wipes can also be useful for frequently sanitizing your armpits and neck, for example, but remember: don’t flush wet wipes down the toilet!
• HAIR WASHING – hair should be washed with a shampoo suited to its characteristics in order to prevent the appearance of dandruff, skin irritation, flaking of the scalp or the formation of scabs and small sores;
• BRUSHING THE TEETH – preferably after meals and without forgetting dental floss. This is essential for maintaining good oral health – it prevents, for example, the appearance of cavities and inflammation of the gums, as well as bad breath;
• HAND WASHING – Keeping our hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading microorganisms to other people. Many diseases are spread by not washing hands with soap and running water. Hands should be kept clean by frequent washing with soap and water and by using disinfectant liquids;
• TAKE CARE OF YOUR NAILS – they should always be short and free of surfaces that could scratch or injure them. Short nails prevent the accumulation of dirt and pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and even parasites.

UNIFORMS

• Nails should be clean and well cut (short) – Nails should only be painted in a natural shade and avoid colored varnish;
• Make-up should be in natural tones and applied sparingly;
• Do not use creams or perfumes with very strong scents;
• Preferably, piercings should not be visible when there is direct contact with the client; in the kitchen, the use of piercings is strictly forbidden;
• The beard/mustache must always be neatly trimmed;
• Sideburns must not extend below the ear;
• Have natural colored hair and the hair should be combed back and tied;
• Hair accessories should be simple, discreet, black or brown;
• No rings, earrings, bracelets or other adornments that can be pulled or caught;
• The only piece of jewelry allowed for men is a wedding ring;
• Necklaces must not be visible and ankle chains and bracelets are not allowed;
• Uniforms must always be worn clean and well ironed;
• Uniforms must be changed and washed whenever necessary;
• The name tag must be in good condition and is MANDATORY to use; the name tag is individual and non-transferable and loss may result in payment of the item;
• It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that their uniform has no stains or is not damaged (e.g. missing buttons, threadbare, etc.) – in such cases, the uniform must be changed!
• Skirts may only be up to 5cm above the knee;
• When wearing a skirt/dress, the tights worn must be black; in the case of pants, black “mid-calf” socks must be worn;
• Shoes must be closed, black, polished, in good condition and with a maximum heel of 3cm;
• Kitchen staff must wear safety shoes;
• Uniform pockets should not be used for storing personal items;
• Uniforms should only be worn outside the ship ONLY on duty (e.g. taking out the garbage);
• During Loading, it is MANDATORY to wear the T-shirt identified for this purpose;
• Crew members wearing T-shirts may only wear them in the same color as their jackets and under shirts and/or jackets;
• In the event of wounds, they must be protected with detectable occlusive dressings (blue or black);
• You must not sneeze or cough near the client (whenever this is not possible, you should cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your arm).

Safety, Health and Wellbeing

GENERAL AND SPECIFIC OBLIGATIONS OF WORKERS

Under the terms of the law, workers’ obligations in terms of safety, hygiene and health at work are as follows:   

1. Comply with the occupational safety, hygiene and health requirements laid down in the legal provisions, as well as the instructions determined for this purpose by the company;
2. Ensure their own safety and health, as well as the safety and health of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions at work;   
3. Use machines, apparatus, instruments, dangerous substances and other equipment and means made available to them correctly and in accordance with the instructions given by the employer, namely collective and individual protection equipment, as well as complying with established work procedures;   
4. Cooperate within the company, establishment or service to improve the safety, hygiene and health at work system;   
5. Immediately notify their line manager or, if this is not possible, the workers or entities that have been appointed to deal with all or some of the safety, hygiene and health at work activities, of any faults that could lead to serious and imminent danger, as well as any defects found in the protection systems;
6. In the event of serious and imminent danger, if it is not possible to establish immediate contact with their hierarchical superior or with workers or entities that may have specific duties in the areas of safety, hygiene and health in the workplace, adopt the measures and instructions established for such a situation.

ACCIDENTS AT WORK

Procedure in the event of an accident at work:

1. Immediately report the incident to your manager, who will refer the employee depending on the seriousness of the accident at work;

• Serious Accident – immediate referral to the nearest health unit, and subsequent referral of the accident report by the person in charge, to Human Resources;
• Non-emergency accident – referral of the accident report by the person in charge, to Human Resources, and the employee must wait for instructions to go for a medical consultation;

Note: All Douro Azul employees are covered by occupational accident insurance, in accordance with the legal framework in force. We would also like to inform you that all claims are analyzed and approved by the insurance company.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE

1.It is expressly forbidden for workers to carry out their work with a blood alcohol level equal to or greater than that legally considered to be an offense under the Highway Code, under the influence of narcotic substances, or any other substances likely to disturb their reflexes, concentration, attention and capacity for discernment;

2.It is expressly forbidden to enter the company in possession of alcoholic beverages, narcotic substances, or any other substances likely to disturb the reflexes, concentration, attention and capacity for discernment of workers, or in any way to bring such beverages and/or substances into the company;

3.Checks for alcohol and/or drug use will be carried out randomly among workers on duty at the company, without prejudice to the provisions of the following paragraphs;

4.If it is found that a worker shows signs of being under the influence of alcohol, the company reserves the right to check the worker’s condition using the equipment at its disposal – a “balloon” – and the worker may not refuse to take the relevant test;

5.If the employee shows signs of drug use, the company reserves the right to order tests to detect such use, using breath, urine and blood tests, in accordance with the usual procedures in these situations;

6.Blood tests will be carried out under the terms of article 19 of the Labor Code;

7.In the situations referred to in points 4 and 5, the company also reserves the right to prevent the worker from carrying out the activity for the remainder of the working day, with a view to their own safety, that of their colleagues and that of the facilities and equipment within them;

8.Once the test referred to in point 4 has been carried out, the worker has the right to take a counter-test within 10 minutes of the first test, for which they must immediately go to the nearest hospital, accompanied by an employee designated for this purpose by Douro Azul;

9. The alcohol and drug testing tests referred to in the previous number may also be carried out periodically and randomly, when workers access the facilities and provided that they are duly approved and/or whenever requested by the company or the respective management;
10. After carrying out the examinations referred to in the previous paragraphs, the doctor in charge must inform the employer whether or not the employee is fit to carry out his/her activity;
11. The following situations constitute, in particular, very serious disciplinary infractions:
12. a) Violation of the provisions of paragraph 2;
13. b) The worker’s unjustified refusal to take alcohol or drug tests;
14. c) Obtaining results revealing excessive alcohol consumption (whenever it is above the limit established for driving a vehicle) and/or consumption of illicit narcotic or psychotropic substances.

CLINICAL SUPPORT

Douro Azul has a Nurse in its organization whose role will be to ensure, to the best of her abilities, that the health and well-being of employees is assured.

During the season, interventions will be developed to monitor the health status of employees, provide assistance, promote and prevent healthy lifestyle habits and diagnose and manage the employee’s clinical problems, whether acute or chronic.

TELECONSULTATION

Our company has a partnership that allows you to book medical appointments in General Practice and Family Medicine, as well as Psychology appointments, free of charge. 

To book a teleconsultation, employees must follow the procedure below:

1. Contact the Operational Manager (Nelson Nogueira) at 966228751 and identify yourself with your full name;
2. The Operational Manager will send an e-mail to the employee informing them of the time available for the Teleconsultation;
3. The employee will have to reply to the Operational Manager, indicating the date and time they want;
4. The employee will be contacted by the doctor on the scheduled date and time.
5. Teleconsultations take place on working days, excluding weekends and public holidays.

HARASSMENT

Harassment is any unwanted behavior (gesture, word, attitude, etc.) practiced with some degree of repetition and having the objective or effect of affecting the dignity of the person or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or destabilizing environment.

Douro Azul condemns any type of deviant behavior and if you are a victim or witness any case of harassment, be it sexual, moral, violence and/or discrimination, you must report it!

For more details on harassment, see chapter 6, section on the Code Conduct for Preventing and Combating Harassment at Work.

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Maintaining mental wellbeing at work is essential for a healthy and productive professional life. Here are some tips to help promote mental wellbeing in the workplace:

SOCIALISE – make time for regular walks and informal conversations. Spend time with others and participate in the social life on board. 

SHARE – Don’t keep problems to yourself: share your problems with someone close to you, on board or on land. If you feel alone, look for other people, do something together. This can give anyone a sense of time and can be a good distraction. 

PHYSICAL WELLBEING – Eat well: A healthy diet is essential for a feeling of well-being; Get quality sleep: set your alarm at a regular time every day, avoid using your computer or cell phone when you go to bed, and use tampons to sleep; Exercise: Exercise can organize your thoughts and get you in a better frame of mind to deal with your problems. 

IDENTIFY the cause of your stress; Make a list of the things that worry you or talk about it with someone you trust so that you can identify your problems! 

ENGAGE with others in a respectful manner. Harmonious coexistence with colleagues is key to well-being. 

Don’t underestimate the impact of DETAILS – you may feel down, but even small things like watching a movie or going for a walk with colleagues can make a difference to your mental health. 

Be PRESENT – practice meditation and mindfulness so that you can draw attention to what is happening in the present. These techniques help manage negative tension and find inner peace. 

INITIATIVE – encourage social activities on board – don’t wait for others to think of all the good ideas! 

CARING FOR OTHERS – reach out to any of your colleagues who seem to be feeling down. The smallest gesture can make a difference. 

VIGILANCE- see the signs in yourself and others. The following indicators may translate into a mental health problem:

• Changes in behavior or mood;
• Changes in work effectiveness;
• Inability to concentrate and/or make decisions;
• Changes in eating habits;
• Excessive alcohol use or drug use.

Prioritizing mental well-being at work not only improves quality of life, but also contributes to better and more sustainable professional performance in the long term.

SAFETY AND HYGIENE IN THE WORKPLACE

The utmost importance of safety, hygiene and health in the workplace (regardless of the sector of activity) is that our lives and physical and psychological integrity as workers depend on it. As part of the application of best practices in Safety, Hygiene and Health at work, responsibilities are shared by all those involved in the operation of river cruises. Therefore, the employee’s responsibilities are:

• Comply with the requirements of Safety, Hygiene and Health at Work in force at the respective workplace (ship);
• Ensure the implementation of measures both individually and collectively;
• Correctly use the machines, devices and personal and collective protection equipment that are available and available;
• Cooperate with colleagues, hierarchical managers and company managers;
• Report any faults or deficiencies detected before serious or imminent danger;
• Act promptly according to the rules of conduct established in light of the imminent danger, complying with and enforcing all instructions from those responsible for emergency response.

Sustainability and Social Responsibility

RECYCLING 

With your help, Douro Azul is making a major commitment to protecting the environment. Recycling also means contributing to a better world. 

We’re counting on you!

FOREST PROGRAM

The “Forest Program” is an innovative waste control and weighing program successfully implemented at Douro Azul, promoting sustainable practices and contributing to the preservation of the environment. This system was developed with the aim of efficiently managing waste generated on board, reducing environmental impact and promoting ecological awareness among crew and passengers.

What does it consist of?

• Weigh the garbage bags before leaving the ship and record the weight in kg
• Record the number of meals according to the monthly map
• Regarding wasted meals, place a new bag at the entrance to the restaurant’s pantry for each service in order to calculate the kg of food that we throw away. Other waste from ready meals is also deposited in this bag. These are then weighed and the exact value in KG is recorded
• As for oils, it is necessary to always inform when you change the oils in the fryers or others so that the collection request can be made.

WASTE PACKAGING

Following what we have already presented, we would like to reinforce Douro Azul’s social and environmental responsibility at this point.

Therefore, the garbage bags transported to the containers must be closed with the identifying tape of each vessel. If the containers are full, the bags must be well-packaged and well-closed so that they do not fall onto the public highway, tear or come loose, leaving the waste exposed.

CODE OF CONDUCT

The Group to which the company belongs has a Code of Conduct which aims to share the fundamental principles that guide the Group, as well as establishing the ethical and deontological rules that should guide the actions of all its Employees.

This Code aims to promote the understanding and practical application of these principles and rules, which must be accepted, understood and respected by all those who deal with the company  – in particular its Employees, regardless of their role, responsibility or hierarchical position.

In this context, the company is committed to a respectful, cooperative, safe and dignified working environment, where any inappropriate, abusive or harassing behaviour, whether moral or sexual, is expressly repudiated. The company also does not tolerate any form of discrimination, whether based on gender, race, ethnicity, religion, political orientation or any other personal characteristic and is committed to promoting the personal and professional development of its Employees, based on merit, qualifications and equal opportunities.

The Code of Conduct establishes a comprehensive set of principles and rules of conduct that should guide the behaviour expected in the most diverse professional situations, promoting a culture of integrity, responsibility and transparency.

The topics covered include, by way of example, rules on access to and handling of confidential information, relations with clients, competitors and public authorities, as well as conduct associated with bribery, corruption, money laundering, conflicts of interest and the duty of non-competition.

It is therefore essential to read the Code of Conduct carefully, which can be accessed via this link: 00 Código de Conduta_Pluris.pdf

The Code of Conduct also includes a number of other policies, which are listed and highlighted below.

CODE OF GOOD CONDUCT FOR PREVENTING AND COMBATING HARASSMENT AT WORK

This Code of Good Conduct for Preventing and Combating Harassment at Work aims to establish a set of recommendations, ethical norms, standards of conduct and preventive measures against harassment, which are considered indispensable in working relationships between the company’s employees.

It should be emphasised that harassment is expressly forbidden, regardless of the hierarchical position held, so the company will take all legally prescribed measures to prevent and combat any act or omission that could constitute harassment.

Therefore, all employees should be aware of the provisions of this Code and be bound to comply with it. This Code corresponds to Annex 1 of the Code of Conduct (mentioned above), and can be consulted on pages 15 to 24 of the Code, which can be accessed via the following link: 00 Código de Conduta_Pluris.pdf

It is therefore essential that employees are aware of the provisions of the Code of Good Conduct for Preventing and Combating Harassment at Work, so that they refrain from any behaviour that could constitute harassment and actively collaborate in combating it, namely by reporting it (duly safeguarding the applicable confidentiality issues), contributing to a healthy environment where respect and dignity for people prevail.

CORRUPTION PREVENTION POLICY

The company has a zero tolerance policy towards bribery and corruption, which is reflected in the Corruption Prevention Policy.

The aim of this policy is to provide clear guidance to Employees to:

1 – ensure compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws; and

2- recognise and deal appropriately with situations that may involve bribery or corruption.

The Corruption Prevention Policy defines a comprehensive set of rules of conduct applicable to various situations that may arise in the course of professional duties. The topics covered include:

• Receiving or offering financial advantages;
• Gifts, hospitality, travel and entertainment;
• Facilitation payments or improper commissions;
• Any other form of direct or indirect bribery.

It is everyone’s responsibility – company and Employees – to prevent, reject and combat any practice of bribery or corruption, fully complying with the provisions of this policy. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary sanctions, as well as civil and/or criminal liability, under the terms of the applicable legislation.

Knowledge of and compliance with this Corruption Prevention Policy is therefore essential for any employee, and it corresponds to Annex 2A of the Code of Conduct (mentioned above), included on pages 25 to 40 of the same, which can be accessed via the following link: 00 Código de Conduta_Pluris.pdf

POLICY FOR THE PREVENTION OF MONEY LAUNDERING AND TERRORIST FINANCING

The purpose of this policy is to establish the procedures to be adopted to prevent and detect money laundering and terrorist financing practices, ensuring full compliance with the applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

All of the company’s Employees  – regardless of the nature of their contractual relationship, function or country in which they work – must be aware of, respect and apply this policy when carrying out their duties.

To summarise and illustrate:

• Money laundering is the process by which an attempt is made to give the appearance of legality to funds obtained through illicit activities. Direct or indirect participation in the manipulation of these funds, or involvement in operations with knowledge or suspicion of their illicit origin, is considered illegal.
• Terrorist financing, as well as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, are practices often associated with money laundering. They usually involve the movement of significant sums of money with the aim of supporting terrorist activities or illicit networks.

In this regard, it is essential that the company:

1 – Be aware of its counterparties, the activities they engage in and the origin and destination of the funds they transfer;

2- Regularly analyse and update the relevant information on counterparties;

3- Report suspicious transactions;

4- Refuse to enter into business relationships whenever it is not possible to obtain sufficient information about the counterparty or the funds involved, or whenever there are indications or suspicions of illicit or non-transparent operations.

Knowledge of and compliance with this Policy for the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing is therefore essential for any employee, and corresponds to Annex 2B of the Code of Conduct (mentioned above), included on pages 41 to 46 of the same, which can be accessed via the following link: 00 Código de Conduta_Pluris.pdf

WHISTLEBLOWING POLICY (WHISTLEBLOWING CHANNEL)

The Group to which the company belongs has implemented specific, independent and autonomous means to receive and deal with reports of irregularities related to its administration, accounting organisation and internal supervision, as well as serious indications of breaches of the duties to which it is subject and indications of breaches of the values or ethical standards defined in the Code of Conduct.

To this end, the company has a channel for reporting offences and encourages anyone who becomes aware of irregularities to report these situations, which might otherwise go undetected.

It should be emphasised that any report cannot be used as grounds for any disciplinary, civil or criminal proceedings or any discriminatory practices against the person making the report, unless it can be shown that they were made without any grounds, merely vexatiously or deliberately with a view to damaging the company or the Employee. When submitting a complaint, the whistleblower may identify themselves or remain anonymous.

Reports of irregularities can be made verbally or in writing, in person or at a meeting, and must be made as soon as possible, depending on the seriousness of the irregularity.

Reports can be submitted to:

– Via the website: https://mysticinvest.workky.com/portal-denuncias

– Internal Compliance Officer (compliance.officer@mysticinvest.com);

– by post to Rua de Miragaia, 103 4050-387 Porto for the attention of the Internal Compliance Officer.

All Employees are invited to read and familiarise themselves with this Policy, which corresponds to Annex 3 of the Code of Conduct (mentioned above), included on pages 47 to 51 of the same, which can be accessed via the following link:  00 Código de Conduta_Pluris.pdf

Partnerships and Benefits

As an employee, you have benefits and discounts on the purchase of some products that are sold in our onboard stores. See our discounts:

Bordalo Pinheiro – 30% Discount

Vista Alegre – 30% Discount

Thalgo – 20% Discount

Souls & Flavors – 30% Discount

My Mimu – 30% Discount

Textile products – 20% Discount

Claus – 20% Discount Grace Art’s – 20% Discount

FORA (Sunglasses) – Promotional code to be used directly on the supplier’s website