Social & Human Rights

Procurement and employment play a key role if a company wishes to become more sustainable. 

With regard to employment, professional sustainability standards primarily mean sustainable work practices for the workforce. Employers need to work towards creating an environment that is resource efficient, accessible, diverse and free from any form of discrimination. Gender equality and diversity in the broadest sense are becoming increasingly important, not least because the younger generation typically regard them as non-negotiable in the workplace. As lifestyles change, new forms of (collaborative) working are also in demand.

Sustainable procurement focuses first and foremost on fair and safe working conditions at supplier companies. Through Germany’s supply chain legislation and its equivalents in many countries around the world, plus similar legislation soon to be enacted at EU level, businesses are increasingly being held accountable for ensuring that their suppliers respect human rights and comply with standards relating to environmental protection and occupational safety. If firms are found to be failing in their obligation to monitor their supply chains, they face not only heavy fines but also reputational damage. 

It is thus a company’s primary responsibility to create fair and non-discriminatory working conditions in line with modern standards, both within the business itself and along the supply chain. This often involves internal transformation processes in which topics such as diversity management, inclusion and new working patterns play a crucial role.

Our lawyers are aware of the challenges that sustainable employment and procurement pose for your company, and can provide you with targeted support in overcoming them.

Our advice around diversity, inclusion and transformation covers the following topics in particular:

• Sustainable supply chains
• Human rights and fair working conditions
  • Occupational health and safety
  • Sustainable remuneration concepts
  • Mobile working and working from home
  • Sustainable working conditions for employees
• Diversity & inclusion
  • Inclusion
  • Non-discriminatory corporate governance
• Whistleblowing
• Transformation processes
  • Transformation and restructuring

We can provide support for practical implementation of your diversity projects and human resources due diligence findings, assist in formulating and introducing the relevant policies and ensure appropriate reporting.