Managing business-related human rights risks during and after C-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented new human rights challenges for business, as well as exacerbated existing issues. These challenges will evolve over time, and it is important for companies to develop clear thinking around ways to responsibly conduct business during and after the crisis. The corporate responsibility to respect human rights, as articulated in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, is constant – in times of both calm and crisis. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, has highlighted that ‘human rights need to be at the front and centre in the response’ to COVID-19. Separately, the World Health Organization and the International Chamber of Commerce have released a joint statement calling for action from the private sector to tackle the pandemic.
To help companies navigate the business responsibility to respect human rights during this time, several organisations have released business and human rights-related resources, from modern slavery risk management to interacting with local communities. These resources are growing daily and it can be difficult to pinpoint what will be most helpful for you and your business. To make it more manageable, we are collating a list of current resources, focusing on those that support business to identify and address their human rights risks, showcase collective business practice or provide other guidance to business. Our inclusion of a resource does not mean we are endorsing its author or organisation, or that we agree with all of its contents, but that we believe it provides some useful insights and recommendations for rights-respecting business practice. We are generally not including content from/about a specific company unless it is guidance designed to support multiple businesses, such as suppliers, in their response. We will continue to update this list as the crisis evolves.
We have categorised the resources as follows:
Responsible business leadership including examples of business practice; and insights and guidance for business
Protecting workers including general guidance; migrant labour, supply chains, and modern slavery
Women’s rights
LGBTIQ rights
Privacy
Responsible investment
Supporting communities
Last Updated: 21 June 2020
Responsible business leadership
Examples of business practice
BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS RESOURCE CENTRE COVID-19 PORTAL
The Business and Human Rights Resource Centre is a non-profit database of human rights issues relating to business, which tracks corporate performance and provides resources on the corporate responsibility to respect human rights. The Centre has created a portal on COVID-19 with articles and other resources on government and business responses. Go to BHRRC
COVIDBIZACTION TWITTER ACCOUNT
Crowdsourcing of global business actions regarding COVID-19 via Twitter. Go to Twitter
COMPANY RESPONSES TO TACKLE COVID-19 AND COMPANY RESPONSES TO PROTECT WORKERS IN THEIR VALUE CHAIN
Anna Triponel (Founder, Triponel Consulting), 23 March 2020
Examples of company responses to the COVID-19 crisis, including of steps taken to protect workers. Go to Triponel Consulting
Insights and guidance for businesses
COVID-19 IMPACT BRIEFS
UN Global Compact, June 2020
A series of impact briefs on different topics related to COVID-19 that include key statistics, challenges for businesses, examples of company practice, recommended actions, and further tools and resources.
Go to Human Rights brief
Go to Decent Work brief
Go to Gender Equality brief
Go to Climate brief
Go to Ocean brief
Go to Anti-Corruption brief
COVID-19 AND BHR BASIC ACTIONS: Basic Actions for Promoting Innovative and Responsible Business Conduct for Building Back Better from COVID-19 Crisis
Business and Human Rights Lawyers Network Japan, June 2020
Ten actions that Japanese companies are expected to take for promoting responsible business conducts in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights during and beyond the COVID-19 crisis. Japanese version also available. The Business and Human Rights Lawyers Network Japan developed the actions in collaboration with the Japan Responsible Supply Chains Committee, which is led by Global Compact Network Japan and BHR Lawyers, and is comprised of multi-stakeholder members from business, investors, civil society, and international organizations. Go to actions
A HUMAN RIGHTS-BASED APPROACH TO COVID-19 DECISION-MAKING
Business for Social Responsibility, 11 June 2020
A series of three primers for different sectors on how to respect human rights during the COVID-19 crisis, including advice on protecting the right to a safe and healthy work environment, the right to work and to an adequate standard of living, and the right to privacy.
COVID-19 IMPACT ANALYSIS: BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS/ACCESS TO REMEDY IN ASIA
Forum-Asia (Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development), 11 June 2020
Report on results from a survey of civil society organisations in Asia about their experiences during the COVID-19 response and early recovery period, including recommendations for responding to challenges going forward. Go to report
THE IMPACT OF REMOTE WORKING ON COMPANIES’ HUMAN RIGHTS RISK MANAGEMENT
Catie Shavin (Director, Global Business Initiative on Human Rights), 8 June 2020
Blog article focusing on the importance of in-person communication in effective human rights risk management with recommendations on steps human rights managers can take to navigate situations where direct contact is not feasible, including building trust with key stakeholders and strengthening capabilities at a local level. Go to article
LESSONS FOR COVID-19 ERA CEOS
Alison Buckholtz (International Finance Corporation) interviewing Jane Nelson (Founding Director, Corporate Responsibility Initiative, Harvard Kennedy School of Government, May 2020
Interview on how CEOs and managers can balance the needs of vulnerable employees, consumers, small business partners, and communities, with financial and operational continuity. Suggests that this is a time where businesses need to be able to demonstrate that they are serious about the growing conversation around stakeholder capitalism. Go to interview
VALUING RESPECT: HOW BUSINESS SHOULD THINK ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS
Purpose, Inc podcast episode interviewing Caroline Rees (CEO, Shift), May 2020
Podcast interview on measuring respect for human rights to focus on outcomes for people, answering questions including how businesses should be making difficult decisions during COVID-19, and whether the pandemic requires a reflection on capitalism. Go to podcast
RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS ALLIANCE RESOURCE HUB
Responsible Business Alliance Resource Hub, May 2020
Resource hub on COVID-19-related supply chain issues, including recommendations on responsible business conduct to protect the rights and well-being of workers, and survey results measuring the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on factories around the world from March, April and May. Go to resource hub
COVID-19: PRESSURE POINTS – BUSINESS AND RESPECT OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Herbert Smith Freehills, 19 May 2020
Guidance for business on the main human rights impacts that can affect stakeholders within businesses’ activities and value chains, and an overview of key recommendations for navigating the crisis. Focuses on vulnerable individuals and groups, including women and girls, migrants, and precarious workers, and adverse impacts on human rights, including the right to health, workers’ rights, and the right to an adequate standard of living. Includes recommendations for responding based on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Go to guidance
JOINT STATEMENT CALLING ON THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO ENSURE CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY IN COVID-19 RESPONSE
International Corporate Accountability Roundtable, 14 May 2020
Joint statement from global civil society organizations to the business community outlining how companies can respect human rights during the COVID-19 crisis, including by offering paid leave for employees, providing PPE and safe operating procedures, and amending work schedules to comply with social distancing guidelines. It also advises companies to enhance human rights and environmental due diligence, and ensure respect for human rights defenders and groups made more vulnerable by the current situation. Go to statement
MAKING RIGHTS-RESPECTING BUSINESS DECISIONS IN A COVID-19 WORLD
Shift, 11 May 2020
Short guidance on making human rights-respecting decisions, with five practical approaches, including applying the lens of vulnerability to prioritise action, involving relevant stakeholders in critical decision-making processes, using leverage with governments on policy responses, clearly communication about actions, and having honest discussions about risks that are baked into the business model. Go to guidance
COVID-19 AND THE CLIMATE CRISIS: BUILDING RESILIENCE WITH PEOPLE AT THE CORE
Samantha Harris (Global Lead, Climate and People, BSR), 5 May 2020
Article on building resilience during and after COVID-19, highlighting shared learnings from the pandemic and the climate crisis, including the need to redesign the recovery from shocks to be more inclusive of the most vulnerable and to put people at the centre. Go to article
ENSURING THAT BUSINESS RESPECTS HUMAN RIGHTS DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS AND BEYOND: THE RELEVANCE OF THE UN GUIDING PRINCIPLES ON BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS
UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, April 2020
Statement by the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on the three pillars of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (Protect, Respect and Remedy) during COVID-19, highlighting the role of states in ensuring responsible business conduct during the crisis and recovery, the importance of business respect for human rights, and noting that enabling access to remedy is not optional. Go to statement
TRACE WHITE PAPER ON LEVERAGING ANTI-BRIBERY COMPLIANCE PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS HUMAN RIGHTS IN A POST-COVID-19 WORLD
Jon Drimmer (Paul Hastings LLP), April 2020
White paper providing a framework for companies to address human rights challenges during and after COVID-19 by leveraging existing anti-bribery compliance programs, noting the points of overlap between human rights and anti-bribery compliance. Go to white paper
RESPECTING HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK: ADDRESSING THE IMMEDIATE CHALLENGES
Löning Human Rights & Responsible Business, April 2020
Guidelines for responsible businesses in responding to immediate human rights challenges, including suggestions to conduct a mapping exercise to identify who might be most impacted by the crisis, being prepared to address potential discrimination in the workplace, including human rights experts in crisis management committees, and supporting local communities located in the influence area of business operations. Go to guidelines
BUSINESS AND COVID-19: SUPPORTING THE MOST VULNERABLE
Business Fights Poverty and Harvard Kennedy School, April 2020
COVID-19 response framework for businesses to support the most vulnerable, with suggestions for core business, philanthropy, and policy engagement, focusing on lives (health and safety), livelihoods (jobs and income), and learning (education and skills). Go to framework
ADVICE ON PREVENTING AND MANAGING HEALTH RISKS, SUPPORTING WORKERS, AND COMPANY LEADERSHIP ON CRISIS RESPONSE
International Finance Corporation, April 2020
Series of IFC tip sheets on how to prevent and manage health risks of COVID-19 in the workplace, supporting workers and company leadership, including how to utilise appropriate corporate governance mechanisms and crisis response practices during the pandemic. Go to IFC
COVID-19 AND RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS CONDUCT
OECD Centre for Responsible Business Conduct, April 2020
Flyer on taking a responsible business conduct approach to the crisis including recommendations for what this may mean in practice such as engaging in social dialogue and stakeholder dialogue to ensure worker support for measures taken by the company, and corporate governance approaches that ensure reporting on measures taken to address the financial, environmental, social and governance risks companies face as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Go to OECD
Longer policy note reviewing the challenges the COVID-19 crisis presents for business behaviour and outlining initial responses by governments and companies. Includes rationale and method for adopting a responsible business conduct approach to address the crisis and provides potential short-term and long-term benefits of such an approach. Go to OECD
GUIDANCE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS ON COVID-19: A RAPID RISK PROFILE AND DECISION FRAMEWORK
IDB Invest, April 2020
Guidance and framework for rapid risk identification and decision-making during COVID-19 to help projects operate in a way that is protective of worker and community health, and aligned with international best practice and available information. Go to guidance
COVID-19 IMPACTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND GUIDANCE ON JAPANESE BUSINESS RESPONSE
Business and Human Rights Lawyers Network Japan, 27 April 2020
Report on the impacts of COVID-19 and responses by business, with focused sections on supply chains, migrant workers, gig workers, health care workers, vulnerable persons (including children, older persons, women, persons with disabilities), and privacy. Go to report
FROM FRAGILITY TO RESILIENCE – INTERNATIONAL POLICY AND A NEW SOCIAL CONTRACT AFTER COVID-19
Institute for Human Rights and Business, 23 April 2020
Online discussion examining the responsibilities of companies for the human rights of workers and affected communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the international policy context, modern employment relationships, and social safety nets. Go to video
PANDEMIC SHOWS NEED TO INTEGRATE HUMAN RIGHTS SPECIALISTS IN CRISIS MANAGEMENT TEAMS
Ron Popper (CEO, Global Business Initiative on Human Rights), 20 April 2020
Article on the importance of having a human rights or sustainability expert involved in crisis management teams to ensure effective, sustainable responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Includes suggestions for crisis management teams to be trained on human rights issues that can arise during a crisis, increase their understanding of how companies can cause, contribute or be directly linked to negative human rights impacts, and the values that leverage can add to the subtleties of crisis responses. Go to article
BUSINESS GUIDE COVID-19
UN Global Compact, 17 April 2020
Guide for businesses on how to contribute to response and recovery efforts in countries affected by COVID-19 by protecting their staff, communities, and clients by prioritising containment and following recommendations by national health authorities and the World Health Organization to contain the virus. Includes suggestions to support the response in three key ways: (1) financial contributions; (2) in-kind donation of priority materials; and (3) joint advocacy. Go to guide
RESPECTING HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE TIME OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Institute for Human Rights and Business, 16 April 2020
Report examining companies’ responsibilities to respect the human rights of workers and affected communities during COVID-19, with four parts: (1) human rights impacts of the pandemic; (2) the corporate responsibility to respect human rights; (3) getting the response right; and (4) longer-term implications. Go to report and note new designated page on IHRB website for COVID-19 resources
HUMAN RIGHTS DUE DILIGENCE AND COVID-19: RAPID SELF-ASSESSMENT FOR BUSINESS
Business and Human Rights, UN Development Programme Asia-Pacific, 10 April 2020
Tool to help businesses consider and manage the human rights impacts of their operations during COVID-19. Provides a list of potential actions which allow for rapid but continuous reflection on human rights risks and impacts common to many industries. Covers a variety of company activities and thematic areas including occupational health and safety, labour rights, environmental and community impacts, safeguarding privacy, preventing stigma and discrimination and corporate policy and management considerations. Go to tool
Update: The tool has now been translated into Chinese, Spanish, Russian, Serbian, and Thai.
See further: article by Sean Lees (UN Development Programme Asia-Pacific) on the family-business perspective on business and human rights in a time of crisis and using the UNDP Human Rights Due Diligence and COVID-19 Rapid Self-Assessment for Business tool. Go to article
FOUR STEPS TO A RESPONSIBLE COVID-19 RESPONSE
Andrea Saldarriaga (SILA Advisory) and Andrea Shemberg (SILA Advisory), 8 April 2020
Article providing four steps for companies to responsibly navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, including to ensure that responses avoid exacerbating the damage from the economic slowdown on workers, suppliers, customers and others, taking swift steps to identify the impacts on people of various decisions, design a mitigation plan for decisions made or changes to activities, and to work collaboratively to craft mitigation efforts. Go to article
SHAPING A NEW SOCIAL CONTRACT THROUGH THE PANDEMIC
Mary Robinson (Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights) and Phil Bloomer (Executive Director, Business and Human Rights Resource Centre), 8 April 2020
Article emphasising the relevance of the values and standards of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in responding to the COVID-19 crisis. Provides examples of responsible company responses. Go to article
COVID-19, BUSINESS, HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Swedwatch, 8 April 2020
Briefing providing examples of how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting business, human rights and the environment in the global south in five thematic areas: supply chains, climate and environment, civic space and peacebuilding, and food security. The briefing includes recommendations for business across all of these areas. Go to briefing
INTEGRATING BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS INTO STATE RESPONSES TO COVID-19
Gabrielle Holly (Senior Advisor, Human Rights and Business, Danish Institute for Human Rights) and Elin Wrzoncki (Senior Advisor, Human Rights and Business, Danish Institute for Human Rights), 6 April 2020
Focus on the role of states in preserving public health. Explains how the responsibility of businesses to respect human rights may be integrated into these responses, emphasising the impact of COVID-19 on workers and corporate value chains. Notes the importance of ensuring that the recovery after COVID-19 is just and equitable and the need to embed respect for human rights. Go to article
WHAT’S THE ROLE OF BUSINESS IN THE COVID-19 CRISIS?
Irit Tamir (Director, Private Sector Department, Oxfam America), 2 April 2020
Article on the role of business in addressing the health and economic impacts of the crisis. Provides a list of recommendations for responsible businesses, including to ensure paid sick, medical and family leave; engage with workers and listen to their needs when responding to the crisis; and support suppliers and supply chain workers with on-time payments and longer-term contracts. Go to Oxfam
HOW TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE DUE DILIGENCE FRAMEWORK TO MANAGE THE CRISIS
Business and Human Rights, and Semilla Consultores, 1 April 2020
Guide for businesses on applying the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights to the COVID-19 crisis, stating that businesses that already have or that develop human rights due diligence procedures will have stronger capacity to react in a more effective manner. Go to guide
CORONAVIRUS IS PUTTING CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO THE TEST
Mark Kramer (Senior Lecturer, Harvard Business School), 1 April 2020
Harvard Business Review article on ways that companies can support employees, small suppliers, health care providers and communities. Includes suggestions to cover the medical expenses of non-insured employees and offer advance payments to small suppliers. Go to article
SHARED RESPONSIBILITY, GLOBAL SOLIDARITY: RESPONDING TO THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF COVID-19
United Nations Sustainable Development Group, 31 March 2020
Report by the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (comprising multiple UN agencies) on responding to the COVID-19 crisis. Includes a section recommending that businesses take three primary actions: (1) adhere to health and safety guidelines and provide economic cushions to workers; (2) provide financial and technical support to governments; and (3) repurpose factories and business plans to focus on meeting the needs of the crisis. Go to report
RAPID HUMAN RIGHTS DUE DILIGENCE TOOL
Business for Social Responsibility, 30 March 2020
Builds on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and international human rights standards to create a “rapid human rights due diligence tool” to assist companies making decisions on human rights due diligence in situations where there is limited time available. Includes four steps: (1) description of the challenge; (2) company policy, processes and procedures; (3) external consultation; and (4) action plan. Go to Due Diligence Tool
RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS RESPONSE TO COVID-19 IN AFRICA
Nkiru Chiemelu (Senior Manager, Global Operations, UN Global Compact) and Tiina Mylly (Connecting Business Initiative), 27 March 2020
Presentation on responsible business responses to COVID-19, including suggestions to ensure that any measure implemented to address COVID-19 is accessible to people without discrimination, ensure a safe working environment, encourage telecommuting and virtual meetings and build trust through communication. Go to presentation
THIS IS THE HUMAN IMPACT OF COVID-19 – AND HOW BUSINESSES CAN HELP
World Economic Forum, 27 March 2020
Outlines the human consequences of COVID-19 and provides recommendations for essential actions to be taken by the business community, including showing solidarity and clear communication about what they are doing for their employees and the community. Go to WEF
COVID-19 AND COMBATTING SOCIAL STIGMA: THE ROLE OF RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS
Jo Reyes (Director, Global Business Initiative on Human Rights), 25 March 2020
Provides support for responsible businesses in helping those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to avoid facing stigmatisation and related mental health pressures. Go to GBIHR
HOW RESPONSIBLE BUSINESSES CAN STEP FORWARD TO FIGHT CORONAVIRUS
Paul Polman (Founder, Imagine and Former-CEO, Unilever), 24 March 2020
Article on how responsible businesses can respond to COVID-19, including by redeploying unique capabilities to meet society’s immediate needs, doing everything to protect their people (including employees, customers and supply chains) by promoting health and safety and also by trying to mitigate financial impacts to staff. Go to article
UNITING BUSINESS TO RESPOND TO COVID-19 OUTBREAK
United Nations Global Compact, 19 March 2020
Explains how the UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles (which include two human rights principles, four labour principles, three environment principles, and one anti-corruption principle) can be used as a guide for businesses responding to the COVID-19 crisis, with examples for each principle. Go to UNGC
BUSINESS LESSONS FROM PHASE ONE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Aron Cramer (President and CEO, Business for Social Responsibility), 16 March 2020
Provides five lessons to guide businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic, including emphasising the importance of not delaying action on climate and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Go to BSR
COVID-19 AND BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS: ADOPTING A RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS APPROACH
Jo Reyes (Director, Global Business Initiative on Human Rights), 11 March 2020
Details insights and considerations that responsible businesses can implement, including respect for workers, managing human rights risks related to the availability and use of products, responsible communication, and improving longer-term human rights risk management processes. Go to GBIHR
CONTENDING WITH THE CORONAVIRUS – WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT OF BUSINESS DURING GLOBAL HEALTH EMERGENCIES?
Scott Jerbi (Senior Advisor, Institute for Human Rights and Business), 2 March 2020
Suggests basic steps all companies should take during global health emergencies, including having a plan on how to respond in ways that respect human rights, communicating proactively with employees, customers and the public, and the importance of emphasising safety. Go to IHRB
Protecting workers
General
CLEANERS’ INABILITY TO TAKE SICK LEAVE POSES A COVID-19 SAFETY RISK
Cleaning Accountability Framework, 4 June 2020
Article highlighting the risks to cleaners during the COVID-19 pandemic if they are unable to take sick leave, including detail on sick leave practices before and during the pandemic, and recommendations for contractors and procurers of cleaning services to prevent these risks. Go to article
COVID-19 IN THE COFFEE SECTOR: CHALLENGES FOR WORKERS AND FARMERS
Verité, 28 May 2020
Article highlighting the key impacts on coffee producers stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the key impacts on workers, including increased risk of child and forced labour. Includes recommendations for coffee buyers, coffee producers, and governments. Go to article
DEMYSTIFYING THE MODERN SLAVERY ACT 2015 FOR CORPORATE LAWYERS
Anna Triponel (Founder, Triponel Consulting), 21 May 2020
Article explaining the UK Modern Slavery Act from the perspective of a corporate lawyer, with introductory comments on the impact of COVID-19 on modern slavery risks, including factory shutdowns, order cancellations, workforce reductions, and sudden changes to supply chains. Go to article
EVERY WORKER IS ESSENTIAL AND MUS TBE PROTECTED FROM COVID-19, NO MATTER WHAT
United Nations Human Rights Special Procedures via the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, 18 May 2020
Press release from nine UN Human Rights Special Procedures including the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights emphasising the importance of protecting all workers during the COVID-19 crisis. Urges States and businesses to work with labour unions and other worker representatives to help ensure necessary safeguards are in place. Go to press release
A WORLD WHERE RIGHTS ARE RESTRICTED IS A WORLD WHERE BUSINESS IS RESTRICTED
Sharan Burrow (Vice Chair, The B Team and General Secretary, ITUC), 12 May 2020
Short article highlighting the importance of businesses ensuring respect for the rights of workers to speak out and freely organise during the crisis, suggesting that businesses foster partnerships to protect trade unions and civil society’s ability to conduct their work. Go to article
PROTECTING PEOPLE IN A PANDEMIC
Minderoo Foundation, April 2020
Report highlighting the key risks to vulnerable workers, including specific industry risks. Includes guidance for business and government to protect vulnerable workers. Go to report
COVID-19 AND THE WORLD OF WORK: COUNTRY POLICY RESPONSES
International Labour Organization, April 2020
Tool tracking measures implemented by governments, employers’ and workers’ organisations, and the International Labour Organization in different countries, based on four pillars of policy responses: (1) stimulating the economy and employment; (2) supporting enterprises, jobs and incomes; (3) protecting workers in the workplace; and (4) relying on social dialogue for solutions. Go to tool
COMPANIES MUSTN’T STAND BY AS ATTACKS ON HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS RISE DURING COVID-19
Christen Dobsen (Business and Human Rights Resource Centre) and Ali Hines (Global Witness), 28 April 2020
Article highlighting the risks to human rights defenders during COVID-19, recommending that companies and investors embed responsible business conduct into policies and management systems, identify and address adverse impacts to human rights defenders’ freedoms, and cease, prevent or mitigate adverse impacts, including to human rights defenders. Go to article
GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR RESPONSIBLE BUSINESSES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Verité, 21 April 2020
High-level principles for companies to promote in operations and supply chains to ensure responsible business during the COVID-19 pandemic, including to maintain healthy workplaces, ensure that work is voluntary, safeguard the employment relationship, and protect and facilitate workers’ freedom of association. Go to principles
COVID-19 CRISIS: MAPPING OUT TRADE UNION AND SOCIAL PARTNERS’ RESPONSES
The Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD, 17 April 2020
List of initiatives undertaken by social partners and trade unions in response to COVID-19 in OECD countries, including responses, agreements and calls to action. Go to list
HOW CAN FASHION BRANDS MITIGATE THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON GARMENT WORKERS?
Dorothy Lovell (Policy Analyst, OECD Centre for Responsible Business Conduct), 15 April 2020
Article exploring how OECD guidance on responsible business conduct can help governments and business address the impacts of COVID-19 in a way that mitigates harm to workers and supply chains in the garment sector. Go to article
PROTECTING WORKERS DURING AND AFTER THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC
Fair Labor Association (FLA), 6 April 2020
Provides suggestions to companies to help protect workers’ livelihoods during COVID-19, including supporting and facilitating the transition of factories to other buyers by sharing audits and remediation actions so those factories can be approved for production, providing emergency financial assistance to workers and suppliers, and advocating on behalf of worker protections at national and multilateral levels. Go to FLA
CLEANERS ARE OUR FRONTLINE DEFENCE
Cleaning Accountability Framework, 1 April 2020
Article highlighting the vulnerability of cleaners to workplace exploitation and their importance in helping to limit the spread of COVID-19. Provides suggestions for stakeholders along the cleaning supply chain to ensure that fair work conditions are in place, including providing adequate personal protection material, allowing sufficient hours to complete work, and ensuring paid leave if cleaners are unable to work due to being affected by COVID-19. Go to CAF
FAMILY FRIENDLY POLICIES AND OTHER GOOD WORKPLACE PRACTICES IN THE CONTEXT OF COVID-19: KEY STEPS EMPLOYERS CAN TAKE
UNICEF, UN Women and International Labour Organization 27 March 2020
Provides recommendations for employers on how to mitigate the negative consequences stemming from COVID-19 for their workers, including implementing flexible work arrangements, supporting working parents with safe childcare options, and supporting workers coping with stress. Go to UNICEF
COVID-19 FACT-SHEETS FOR CLEANING PROCURERS, CLEANING CONTRACTORS AND CLEANERS
Cleaning Accountability Framework, 26 March 2020
Series of fact-sheets for cleaning procurers (including commercial tenants and landlords), cleaning contractors and cleaners on safeguarding labour rights while responding to COVID-19. Go to CAF
COVID-19 AND THE WORLD OF WORK: IMPACT AND POLICY RESPONSES
International Labour Organization, 18 March 2020
Details the International Labour Organization’s preliminary assessment of the possible impacts of COVID-19 on the world of work, and proposes policy options to mitigate these impacts. Recommends that policy responses focus on health protection measures and economic support for suppliers and customers. Go to ILO
COVID-19: THE MENTAL HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS FOR RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS
Jo Reyes, (Director, Global Business Initiative on Human Rights), 13 March 2020
Provides steps companies can take to safeguard mental health, including reviewing company bereavement leave and associated support policies and supporting workers through worker wellbeing programmes. Go to GBIHR
Migrant labour, supply chains, and modern slavery
HOW THE CORONAVIRUS AFFECTS GARMENT WORKERS IN SUPPLY CHAINS
Clean Clothes Campaign, June2020
Live blog collecting daily information about how COVID-19 is impacting garment workers’ rights in supply chains, with global information and country-specific information. Go to blog
COVID-19 TRACKER: WHICH BRANDS ARE ACTING RESPONSIBLY TOWARD SUPPLIERS AND WORKERS?
Worker Rights Consortium, May 2020
Tracker monitoring commitments made by brands to pay in full for orders completed and in production, and brands which have made no commitment. Go to tracker
COVID-19 ACTION TRACKER
Business and Human Rights Resource Centre, May 2020
Results from a survey of 35 fashion brands and retailers regarding payment terms and commitments made to suppliers during the COVID-19 pandemic, including full company responses. Go to tracker
COVID-19 RESPONSE AND RECOVERY MUST BUILD ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND SDGS
Danish Institute for Human Rights, May 2020
Paper on the importance of placing human rights standards and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the core of immediate responses to COVID-19 and long-term recovery strategies. States that compliance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights is a cornerstone of sustainable development and a direct contribution to achieving SDG targets to combat child and forced labour. Go to paper
EXPOSING THE HIDDEN VICTIMS OF COVID-19
Freedom United, May 2020
Report on the hidden victims of COVID-19, highlighting the need for better protection for victims and communities vulnerable to modern slavery. Focuses on domestic servitude, forced marriage, homelessness and modern slavery, modern slavery in prison and detention centres, and migrant workers. Also provides suggestions for modern slavery recovery. Go to report
NOVARTIS COVID-19 GOOD PRACTICE GUIDANCE FOR SUPPLIERS
Novartis, April 2020
Guidance note developed by the Human Rights team at Novartis for the company’s suppliers on COVID-19 good practice. Suppliers can use the template within the Guidance to distribute to their own suppliers. The Guidance is based on emerging but evolving internationally-recommended COVID-19 good practice. It may be reviewed and reissued based upon best available knowledge in relation to the pandemic. The Guidance covers topics ranging from compliance with a company’s supplier code of conduct to migrant workers and respect for labour rights. Go to Guidance
RESPONSIBLE DISENGAGEMENT IN THE TIME OF CORONA
SOMO, ECCHR and PAX, April 2020
Position paper which provides suggestions for responsible disengagement during COVID-19, including working with other businesses, relevant stakeholders and governments; publicly communicating about human rights risks stemming from COVID-19 and actions taken to prevent or mitigate these risks; and evaluating all possible options for alternatives to disengagement. Go to position paper
COVID-19 AND VULNERABILITY TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING FOR FORCED LABOR
Verité, 24 April 2020
Article highlighting vulnerabilities experienced by certain categories of workers during COVID-19 and provides recommendations to companies to prevent human trafficking throughout their supply chains, including to strengthen their supplier codes of conduct to ensure they cover COVID-19 related risks, assess geographic and sector-level risk and focus on high-risk areas of the supply chain, and implement effective monitoring and grievance mechanisms. Go to article
MODERN SLAVERY ACT INFORMATION SHEET: CORONAVIRUS
Australian Border Force, 22 April 2020
Guidance for entities about how to reduce the risk of vulnerable workers in operations and supply chains being exposed to modern slavery as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also explains how reporting entities under the Australian Modern Slavery Act can address the impact of COVID-19 in their modern slavery statements. Go to information sheet
COVID-19 AND CHILD LABOUR
Verité, 21 April 2020
Recommendations for companies to take to address the increased risk of child labour during the COVID-19 crisis, including to conduct due diligence to ensure that pandemic response activities do not contribute to the exploitation of children, assessing where risks are highest in order to prioritise interventions, and ensuring that supplier policies provide sufficient support to workers and their families at the commodity level. Go to recommendations
THE EFFECT OF COVID-19: FIVE IMPACTS ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Tech Against Trafficking, April 2020
Article highlighting trends originating from COVID-19 related to human trafficking, including economic stress on families leading to increased vulnerability, spikes in violence towards victims of trafficking, and jobs for survivors no longer being available. Go to article
IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON MIGRANT WORKERS IN SOUTH EAST ASIA
Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB), 9 April 2020
Publicly available update for the Leadership Group for Responsible Recruitment on the impact of COVID-19 on migrant workers in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Myanmar. Includes links to other resources on COVID-19 and migrant workers in South East Asia. Go to update
RESPONSIBLE PURCHASING PRACTICES IN TIMES OF COVID-19
Amfori, 7 April 2020
Guidance on responsible purchasing practices, focusing on dialogue, solidarity, and collaboration. Encourages companies to proceed as much as possible with payments as usual, make the effort to understand the local context, and support supply chain businesses partners that are struggling. States that “responsible business conduct, as mandated by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, is the only route that will ensure business relations can be strengthened during a time of crisis, rather than broken.” Go to guidance
TOOLKIT: HELPING SUPPLIERS AND THEIR WORKERS THROUGH COVID-19
The Prince’s Responsible Business Network, 7 April 2020
Provides reflections on how businesses can support suppliers and vulnerable workers during the crisis, including examples of responsible company responses. Includes suggested questions for suppliers, including on the impact on operations and supply, workforce, and cash-flow and solvability. Recommends that businesses implement flexibility to help suppliers continue to pay workers, share tools with suppliers, and continue due diligence activities remotely and by engaging with local NGOs. Go to toolkit
COVID-19 AND CONTRACT NON-PERFORMANCE: WISE COMPANIES ARE GUIDED BY BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS THINKING
Andrea Shemberg (Chair, Global Business Initiative on Human Rights) and Benn Hogan (Researcher & Coordinator, Global Business Initiative on Human Rights), 4 April 2020
Includes tips for guiding good business decisions on contract performance during the COVID-19 crisis, including to focus on limiting the company's contribution to the health and economic crisis, engaging with suppliers and customers to identify potential impacts of continued performance or non-performance, mitigate any impacts, and work collaboratively and build leverage to mitigate impacts. Go to GBIHR
GUIDELINES FOR “BETTER” PURCHASING PRACTICES AMIDST THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS AND RECOVERY
Better Buying Institute, 2 April 2020
Guidelines based on supplier survey results on how COVID-19 is impacting businesses and workers, including suggestions on short-term crisis management through supporting supplier cash flow, and crisis recovery, including by anticipating challenges through proactive partnerships. Go to guidelines
MORAL BANKRUPTCY DURING TIMES OF CRISIS: H&M JUST THOUGHT TWICE BEFORE TRIGGERING FORCE MAJEURE CLAUSES WITH SUPPLIERS, AND HERE’S WHY YOU SHOULD TOO
Anna Triponel (Founder, Triponel Consulting) and John Sherman (Senior Advisor and General Counsel, Shift), 1 April 2020
Article detailing the risks to businesses of making business decisions during the pandemic without reference to impacts on people, with a focus on the potential consequences of using force majeure clauses to stop working with suppliers and examples from the fashion industry and beyond of businesses choosing options more likely to keep struggling suppliers in business, and to help vulnerable workers retain their incomes. Go to article
THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON MODERN SLAVERY
James Cockayne (Programme Director, Delta 8.7) and Angharad Smith (Programme Officer, Delta 8.7), 27 March 2020
Article highlighting the impact of the crisis on modern slavery, including by heightening risks for those already being exploited, increasing risks of new exploitation including child labour and child marriage, and disrupting modern slavery response efforts. Go to article
FIVE WAYS COVID-19 IS CHANGING GLOBAL MIGRATION
Erol Yayboke (Deputy Director and Senior Fellow, Center for Strategic and International Studies), 25 March 2020
Lists five ways that COVID-19 is changing global migration, including the impact on migrant labour, with some migrant workers unable to return home or travel to work being put in increasingly vulnerable positions. Go to CSIS
THE REAL ECONOMIC VICTIMS OF CORONAVIRUS ARE THOSE WE CAN’T SEE
Martijn Boersma (Senior lecturer, University of Technology Sydney) and Justine Nolan (Professor, UNSW Law, UNSW), The Conversation, 16 March 2020
Article explaining the impact of COVID-19 on supply chain workers, potentially leading to modern slavery where workers are unable to find more work and are exposed to greater risk of exploitation. Go to The Conversation
CORONAVIRUS IS SHINING THE SPOTLIGHT ON UNHEALTHY SUPPLY CHAINS: CLEANING THEM UP WILL HELP BOTH BUSINESS RESILIENCE AND WORKER WELLBEING
Anna Triponel (Founder, Triponel Consulting) and Christine Bader (Co-founder, The Life I Want), 16 March 2020
Article detailing the human cost which accrues to the most vulnerable members of the global supply chain, and ways that companies can respect and support the rights of workers in their supply chains. Go to article
COVID-19 – TIME FOR GOVERNMENTS, BRANDS AND EMPLOYERS TO PROTECT SUPPLY CHAIN AND PRECARIOUS WORKERS FROM HARDSHIP AND INFECTION
Sharan Burrow (General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation) and Phil Bloomer (Executive Director, Business and Human Rights Resource Centre), 9 March 2020
Explains the COVID-19 related human rights impacts on supply chain workers, as well as workers in precarious and informal jobs. Includes examples of positive business practices to support supply chain workers, frontline workers, and those in the gig economy. Go to BHRRC
Women’s rights
COVID-19 AND GENDER EQUALITY: A CALL TO ACTION FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR
Women’s Empowerment Principles, April 2020
Provides advice for companies to ensure that COVID-19 responses ensure gender equality and women’s empowerment, including to ensure that COVID-19 specific policies and responses are gender sensitive and inclusive, are mindful of employees with caring responsibilities and accommodate additional needs, and collect and report on sex-aggregated data and gender-differentiated responses to COVID-19. Go to WEP
COVID-19 AND ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS
UN Women, April 2020
Briefing highlighting emerging evidence of the impact of COVID-19 on violence against women and girls including relating to the loss of employment. The briefing includes recommendations for government, international organizations and civil society to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls including how to engage with business. Go to briefing
HOW TO BE AN INCLUSIVE LEADER THROUGH A CRISIS
Ruchika Tulshyan (Founder, Candour), Harvard Business Review, 10 April 2020
Harvard Business Review article on the importance of prioritising diversity and inclusion in workplaces during the COVID-19 crisis with suggestions to ensure all employees have equal access to technology for remote work, understand how gender bias may be visible and check in with employees who may be disproportionately affected. Go to article
THE GENDERED IMPACT OF COVID-19
Kate Jenkins (Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission), 8 April 2020
Blog highlighting the gendered impacts of COVID-19 including relating to paid and unpaid work as well as domestic violence. The blog includes links to other resources including a podcast with Parents@Work about the future of work in a COVID-19 environment. Go to blog
HUMAN RIGHTS DIMENSIONS OF COVID-19
Human Rights Watch, 29 March 2020
Overview of human rights concerns posed by COVID-19, including the protection of health workers, and the need to address the disproportionate impact on women and girls. Go to HRW
COVID-19, GENDER AND DATA: RESOURCES AND REPORTING
Sarah Boyd (Director of Global Advocacy, Data 2X), 20 March 2020
List of resources and reporting on how gender data influences the preparedness and response efforts for COVID-19. Go to list
LGBTIQ rights
3 WAYS BUSINESSES CAN PROTECT LGBTIQ RIGHTS IN THE FACE OF COVID-19
World Economic Forum, 8 April 2020
Suggests strategies to guide business responses to protecting LGBTIQ rights during the crisis, including applying a human rights lens to decision-making, amplifying core values and prioritising collective action and sharing lessons learned. Go to WEF
Privacy
DIGITAL CONTACT TRACING FOR THE COVID-19 EPIDEMIC: A BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS PERSPECTIVE
International Bar Association, 4 June 2020
Article analysing different digital contract tracing technologies and evaluating their compliance with international human rights law standards. It also focuses on the role of businesses in reducing and addressing the risks of adverse human rights impacts associated with the use of contact tracing apps, recommending that companies go over and above compliance with national laws and regulations, and also exercise leverage with partners. Go to article
WE MUST COMBAT COVID-19 BUT CREEPING AUTHORITARIANISM COULD DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD
Edward Santow (Human Rights Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission), 8 April 2020
Article calling for restrictions on rights during the crisis, including through the use of artificial intelligence technologies, to be reasonable, necessary and proportionate as well as be subject to genuine, independent oversight. Go to article
RECOMMENDATIONS ON PRIVACY AND DATA PROTECTION IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19
Access Now, March 2020
Report providing recommendations to government and business to help ensure that the rule of law, and the rights to privacy and data protection, are protected throughout the crisis. Recommendations for business include bringing transparency to public-private partnerships and conducting human rights due diligence. Go to Access Now
RESPECTING HUMAN RIGHTS WHILE PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH
Jenny Vaughan (Human Rights Director, Business for Social Responsibility) and Kelly Scott (Manager, Human Rights, Business for Social Responsibility, 13 March 2020
Explains the potential human rights challenges for businesses flowing from COVID-19, including privacy, discrimination, labour rights, worker welfare, and freedom of expression. Recommends that personal data collection is limited to what is medically necessary, is provided under informed consent, and is not stored or used for purposes beyond public health measures to combat COVID-19. It also provides recommendations in relation to protecting workers generally, including that companies develop a plan with suppliers to ensure worker welfare and establish non-discrimination policies. Go to BSR
Responsible investment
BEYOND COMPLIANCE: COVID-19, ESG, AND THE REDEFINITION OF RISK
Veracity, April 2020
Presentation on the new risks arising from the COVID-19 pandemic situation, and the new focus on the “S” in ESG. Includes recommendations to test crisis measures through legal, ethical and ESG lenses. Go to presentation
AGM SEASON 2020: INVESTOR QUESTIONS ON COVID-19
Principles for Responsible Investment, Business and Human Rights Resource Centre, California State Teachers’ Retirement System and APG, 21 May 2020
Guidance for institution investors to build a collective response to the COVID-19 crisis and to set expectations for portfolio companies to work towards a sustainable economy. Contains three key themes: (1) business continuity – for employers, suppliers and communities; (2) employee health and wellbeing; and (3) alignment with long-term value creation. Go to guidance
INVESTOR TOOLKIT ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Investor Alliance for Human Rights, 19 May 2020
Investor toolkit for asset owners and managers to address risks to people posed by their investments. Emphasises the expectation that investors, like all business actors, respect human rights as outlined by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Includes a roadmap for action based on the UNGPs. While the toolkit is not focused on COVID-19 it makes a number of references to strengthening investor and business capacity during the pandemic. Go to toolkit
SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING AND EARLY LESSONS FROM COVID-19
Adam Fishman (Manager, BSR), Nina Hatch (Associate, BSR), and Dunstan Allison-Hope (Vice President, BSR), 4 May 2020
Article on emerging practice in sustainability reporting during COVID-19, including highlighting the increasing focus on social criteria heightened by the COVID-19 crisis. Go to article
COVID-19 GUIDANCE FOR INVESTORS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ON JOB PROTECTION
CDC Investment Works and Ergon Associates, April 2020
Guidance for investors and financial institutions on ensuing job protection measures during COVID-19, including how to prioritise job-related risk in portfolio companies, advisory and governance measures on job protection, and financial measures for job protection. Go to guidance
WHY COVID-19 MAKES THE CASE FOR STRENGTHENING THE “S” IN ESG
Karen Kramer (Contributing Writer for SILA Advisory), 23 April 2020
Article on the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on bringing into focus the need to strengthen the “S” in ESG, noting that stakeholders will now be watching what businesses are doing, and emphasising the need to develop the “S” using the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights as a tool. Go to article
ALL EYES ON THE “S” OF ESG: HOW COMPANIES AND INVESTORS SHOULD RESPOND TO THE PANDEMIC
Simon Rawson (Director of Corporate Engagement, Share Action), 15 April 2020
Article on ESG and COVID-19 which suggests that companies which focus on the long-term are most resilient when faced with shocks like COVID-19 in the short-term. Highlights that investors need to give more emphasis to the “S” in ESG to drive socially responsible practices that consumers and society expect. Go to article
COMPOUNDING CRISES ARE WHAT WE’VE ALL BEEN REHEARSING FOR – NOW IS THE TIME FOR RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT
Responsible Investment, 6 April 2020
Article on the opportunity for responsible investors and sustainable financiers to re-build a healthier, more sustainable and resilient society. Suggests principles for a responsible recovery to the crisis, including prosperity that is inclusive, participatory and aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Go to RI
COVID-19: HARNESSING THE POWER OF COLLECTIVE INVESTOR ACTION FOR CHANGE
Principles for Responsible Investment, 27 March 2020
Provides suggestions for investors in responding to the COVID-19 crisis, including focusing on long-term horizons and supporting collective action. Includes a section on aligning the COVID-19 recovery with social and environmental outcomes, emphasising the need to come together to address these systemic issues. Go to PRI
HOW RESPONSIBLE INVESTORS SHOULD RESPOND TO THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
Principles for Responsible Investment, 27 March 2020
Explains how investors can use their influence with companies and governments, and through their investment decisions, to respond positively. Advises responsible investors to support sustainable companies through the COVID-19 crisis, even if doing so limits short-term returns. Go to PRI
INVESTOR STATEMENT ON CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE
Domini Impact Investments LLC, Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility and Office of the New York City Comptroller, 26 March 2020
Investor statement which provides steps for the business community in dealing with COVID-19, including providing paid leave, prioritising health and safety, taking every measure to maintain employment, and maintaining supplier and customer relationships. Go to ICCR
HOW CAN RESPONSIBLE INVESTOR ENGAGEMENT HELP WITH CORONAVIRUS?
EIRIS Foundation, 18 March 2020
Provides ways investors can engage with companies in their response to COVID-19, including suggestions to support community health services by reviewing unhealthy overtime or work cultures, and providing sick leave for all workers, including temporary and insecure workers. Go to EIRIS Foundation
Supporting communities
COVID-19 AND THE RIGHT TO WATER: THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF BUSINESS DURING AND AFTER THE PANDEMIC
Riana Cermak (Manager, Global Business Initiative on Human Rights), 14 April 2020
Article highlighting the importance of ensuring respect for the right to water during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Provides immediate steps responsible businesses can take, including to identify and assess impacts on the right to water during the pandemic. Also includes examples of ongoing measures that can be taken such as developing water stewardship programmes, incorporating the right to water into existing human rights due diligence and undertaking collective action. Go to article
COVID, HOUSING, AND CLIMATE – A CALL FOR A SYSTEMS SHIFT
Annabel Short (Consultant, Institute for Human Rights and Business; Founder, Rights Here project), 8 April 2020
Article on the need and opportunity for government and business COVID-19 responses to increase the affordability and quality of housing while mitigating and strengthening resilience to climate change, including through collaborative action. The article includes advice for property investors and construction and design companies and is a contribution to the Institute for Human Rights and Business’ Coalition for Dignity in the Built Environment together with its partners the Rafto Foundation, Raoul Wallenberg Institute and the Australian Human Rights Institute at the University of New South Wales. Go to IHRB
COVID-19: HOW ARE NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS IN EUROPE RESPONDING?
European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI), 25 March 2020
Snapshot of how some National Human Rights Institutions across Europe are responding to the situation, including developing measures to protect at risk and vulnerable groups. Go to ENNHRI
SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES THROUGH COVID-19
Community Insights Group (CIG), 23 March 2020
Provides ways that companies can support communities, including by promoting reliable information on the pandemic, collaborating with partners, compensating community suppliers whose contracts have been halted or terminated, and updating social management plans. Go to CIG