In accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, we as a company bear a responsibility to respect human rights.
Management approach
We fulfill this responsibility and would like to make an active contribution to the implementation of human rights and fair working conditions by treating our employees, future employees, suppliers, customers and everyone else with whom we do business with fairness and respect. We have publicly committed ourselves to this by participating in the United Nations Global Compact and signing the Women’s Empowerment Principles. This commitment is enshrined in important guidelines and processes. The binding Code of Conduct for all employees was expanded at the start of 2019 by a section on human rights and fair working conditions. We also commit our suppliers to these principles with our Business Partner Code of Conduct and our Natural Rubber Sourcing Policy. Remarks on the management approach and on results in dealings with business partners can be found under Purchasing and Responsibility in the Supply Chain.
The Compliance and Human Relations departments are responsible for training employees on the Code of Conduct. Training on the content of the Code of Conduct is a compulsory element in the induction and further training of our employees. There is a Compliance & Anti-Corruption Hotline, which any individual can call directly and anonymously to report violations of the Code of Conduct or suspected cases. The review and handling of information is managed by the Compliance and Corporate Audit departments and is supported in the countries by internal experts on labor relations from the Human Relations department.
Results and performance indicators
In the reporting period, the internal network comprising experts on labor relations and working conditions was further expanded. The network now provides fixed contact persons in 11 countries, who coordinate the work at the respective locations. This covers more than 70% of employees. For communication on specific cases in this area and to train the expert network, a workshop with representatives from 10 countries has been carried out for the second time. The handling of human rights issues, both at our own locations and in our supply chain, is also supported by newly established central sustainability coordination.
