Aus businesses need to manage human rights risks

This report provides a unique insight into the current drivers, practices, and challenges of Australian businesses in managing human rights in their supply chains. It provides practical guidance to help business identify and address human rights risks in their supply chains including through reference to core international standards such as the UN Global Compact and UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Key report findings:

• Addressing human rights issues has become more important to Australian businesses since 2009, and businesses are increasingly linking human rights issues to their supply chains.
• Businesses say that they are committed to human rights because it is the right thing to do. They are also seeking to align with employee values and expectations and build brand and reputation as a responsible business.
• Businesses tend to focus their human rights efforts where they have direct operational control. Consequently, they place high importance on traditional workplace issues such health and safety, non-discrimination, and diversity and inclusion.
• While they have the aspiration and commitment to address human rights impacts in their supply chains, many businesses lack clear strategies and processes to trace, monitor and address such risks.
• Limited visibility into suppliers’ practices, and limited staff capacity and authority to address human rights impacts, are the biggest barriers to Australian businesses improving their management of human rights issues in their supply chains.

The full report is available for download, here.