Our commitment to responsible manufacturing and sourcing is evidenced in the ways that we put our principles into action. This means cascading the rights and responsibilities enshrined in our global Code of Conduct into the practical, everyday application and exercise of those rights and responsibilities at the factory level.
What does this look like in practice? We promote compliance through education and training, conducting factory audits and inspections, and driving continuous improvement processes throughout our supply chain. We require suppliers to meet our labor, human rights and safety standards prior to approval as an authorized facility. Beyond these initial requirements, we also outline our expectations for facilities to build effective social compliance management systems that are preventative, proactive and sustainable.
Some examples of good practices at the factory level include defining roles and responsibilities for social compliance, promoting a culture of respect and transparency, and engaging employees in the grievance process.
Example: Assigning Roles and Responsibilities for Social Compliance
Example: Assigning Roles and Responsibilities for Social Compliance
Example: Promoting Transparency, Company Culture and Communication
A company culture of respect and transparency sets the foundation for implementing social compliance at the factory level. Our facility in Nicaragua uses social media for posting open positions, publishing or announcing trainings completed by staff, and celebrating employees and holidays. The facility’s grievance system also includes mechanisms for employees to submit comments, questions or suggestions through Facebook or WhatsApp message, in addition to an open-door policy and suggestion boxes in the facility. Employees at all levels are informed of these multiple communication channels upon hire.
Example: Employee participation in Grievance Committees
Establishing an effective grievance system is an important aspect of creating a work environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. Grievance systems can take various forms but there should be clear, transparent and trusted procedures for handling and resolving grievances in the workplace.
Establishing an effective grievance system is an important aspect of creating a work environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. Grievance systems can take various forms but there should be clear, transparent and trusted procedures for handling and resolving grievances in the workplace.