Respecting Human Rights is Embedded in the Way HP Does Business
by Zoe McMahon, Director of Privacy and Social Responsibility for HP
Today is Human Rights Day, which commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.
Respecting human rights is embedded in the way we do business at HP, and is integral to our approach to sustainability. From the beginning, our company has maintained strong principles embodied in the HP Way: we contribute directly to the well-being of the communities in which we operate.
Our uncompromising stance on human rights in our operations, and our work to influence others to do the same, stem from these principles. Our customers expect us to manage our business responsibly and our respect for human rights is increasingly a requirement for winning their business. To be truly innovative is to do more than just create great products—we must create them in ways that respect the environment, protect human rights, and set a global example.
Our approach to human rights
Our influence extends across the company’s value chain and touches many communities worldwide. Our approach is rooted in the internationally recognized UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights which outline the responsibility of corporations to respect human rights. As part of our commitment, we work closely with our suppliers to protect workers and improve labor standards. We took a major step in 2014 by expanding our supply chain requirements to better address exploitative labor practices and forced labor. We were the first IT company to require direct employment of foreign migrant workers in our supply chain through the HP Foreign Migrant Worker Standard.
We stand up for human rights in public forums and we collaborate openly with a wide range of stakeholders including governments, NGOs, and business. Our efforts range from supporting basic labor rights at supplier factories, to advancing diversity and equality in our work force, and protecting the privacy of our employees and customers.
Innovating in China
In support of the right to just and favorable conditions of work (UDHR Art. 23), we have recently partnered with Social Accountability International and our supply chain partners to address specific health and safety concerns through open collaboration between managers and workers. The initiative called TenSquared helps transform the shared interests of workers and managers into bold action and real results in 100 days.
This initiative is another example of HP driving positive change in working conditions, respecting human rights, and demonstrating our commitment to supply chain responsibility to our customers.
Read more on our human rights efforts, and share your thoughts and comments on human rights and sustainability.
