The meaning of "Associate"
Forrest Mars (Founder) believed that the company can only grow and prosper, if we establish a genuine community of interests between who work and who is involved in Mars activity. The way associates work is defined by the Mars culture values - The Five Principles - which provide a way of thinking and to work with the associates, the brands and the company.
The employees of Mars consider that they present a distinctive way of being in business, which differentiate them from most of the companies; they are treated as "Associates" instead of employees, and as a family, the only thing that differentiate each of them, is the level of responsibility in the organization. All the associates of Mars have the same schedule time table and work in the same space, share a set of benefits, which enhance an appropriate balance between life and work.
The success and reputation of Mars are build on solid principles, which compliance requires the highest level of professional integrity from all the associates. This means that each associate should behave in a way to maintain the best performance, security and respect, in order to protect the assets of the company, the integrity of the business’s relationships and the responsibility towards the community and society.