Ethical trade means that retailers, brands and their suppliers take responsibility for improving the working conditions of the people who make the products they sell. Most of these workers are employed by supplier companies around the world, many of them based in poor countries where laws designed to protect workers' rights are inadequate or not enforced.
Companies with a commitment to ethical trade adopt a code of labour practice that they expect all their suppliers to work towards. Such codes address issues like wages, hours of work, health and safety and the right to join free trade unions.
We are committed to this policy and will conduct business in an ethical, legal and socially responsible manner. This commitment extends to suppliers and other associated external resources with which we choose to do business. We recognise the responsibility that we share with our suppliers to source products in an ethical manner. We want our customers to be confident that people are treated fairly, are not exploited and are not exposed to unsafe working conditions. Our Ethical Trade Policy requires all our suppliers to comply with our ethical code, which is based on the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and national and international laws.
We recognise the need to communicate our commitment to key stakeholders including suppliers and the people who work with our suppliers. We seek to develop long term relationships with our suppliers who share our ethical standards. These relationships are based on the principle of fair, open and honest dealings at all times. Only suppliers that share our standards and can demonstrate compliance will be considered appropriate to trade with.
We encourage and support continuous improvement in supplier standards and we regularly measure supplier improvement. We recognise our suppliers may need time and support to ensure compliance; however, all our suppliers must demonstrate that any breach of our policy is addressed in appropriate timescales. Where we are alerted to breaches of our policy we will take action considered appropriate. We will work with suppliers to resolve ethical trading issues. If suppliers are unable or unwilling to address critical issues associated with any breach of our policy within the required timescales, we reserve the right to terminate the relationship in accordance with our contractual rights.
We will strive to be open and honest when we work with others and ensure reporting is fair and transparent.
The requirements outlined are in addition to applicable legislation. These requirements are in addition to our standard requirements for products supplied to be safe, legal and good quality.
All suppliers are required to comply in all respects with our code, which is referenced in our supplier standard terms and conditions of purchase.
Suppliers shall at all times comply with this code and with the applicable national and international laws, regulations, codes and standards, both in the country in which the supplier works and in the country in which the product and/or services are sourced or provided.
Suppliers shall ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that their suppliers, agents, subcontractors and consultants who are directly or indirectly involved in the provision of goods and/or services comply with the code.
Working hours may exceed 60 hours in any seven day period only in exceptional circumstances where all of the following are met:
* International standards recommend the progressive reduction of normal hours of work, when appropriate, to 40 hours per week, without any reduction in workers' wages as hours are reduced.
There is no discrimination in hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, termination or retirement based on race, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, union membership or political affiliation.
To every extent possible, work performed must be on the basis of recognised employment relationships established through national law and practice.
Obligations to employees under labour or social security laws and regulations arising from the regular employment relationship shall not be avoided through the use of labour-only contracting, sub-contracting or home-working arrangements, or through apprenticeship schemes where there is no real intent to impart skills or provide regular employment, nor shall any such obligations be avoided through the excessive use of fixed-term contracts of employment.
Suppliers provide a workplace in which any form of harassment is unacceptable. Examples include physical abuse or discipline, the threat of physical abuse, sexual or other harassment, and verbal abuse or other forms of intimidation.
Only workers with a legal right to work in the country should be employed. For both workers and agency workers, original documents should be reviewed and then returned to workers to verify the right to work.
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