A.
Discrimination
While
we recognize and respect cultural differences, vendors
shall hire and compensate employees on the basis of
their ability to do the job, rather than on the basis
of personal characteristics or beliefs. Black Diamond
will seek business partners that share this value,
and that do not discriminate in hiring and employment
practices on grounds of race, color, sex, religion,
political opinion, nationality, social origin, social
status, indigenous status, disability, age (except
for children), or other status of the individual unrelated
to the individual’s ability to perform his/her
job.
B.
Forced Labor
Vendors
shall not use forced labor of any kind; this includes
prison, indentured, bonded and otherwise. No employee
shall be made to work through force or intimidation
of any kind.
C.
Child Labor
Vendors
shall employ only workers who meet the applicable minimum
legal age requirement or are at least 15 years of age,
whichever is greater. Vendors shall comply with all
applicable child labor laws including those related
to hiring, wages, hours worked, overtime and working
conditions. Vendors shall maintain official documentation
for every employee that verifies the employee’s
date of birth. In those countries where official documents
are not available to confirm exact date of birth, the
vendor shall confirm age using an appropriate and reliable
evaluation method.
D.
Wages and Benefits
Wages
must equal or exceed the minimum wage or the prevailing
industry wage, whichever is higher, and legally mandated
benefits shall also be provided. Wages shall be paid
directly to the employee in cash, check or the equivalent,
and written information relating to wages shall be
provided to employees in a form they understand. This
written wage statement must include days worked, wage
or piece rate earned per day, hours of overtime at
each specified rate, bonuses, allowances and legal
or contractual deductions.
E.
Hours of Work/Overtime
While
it is understood that overtime is often required in
a manufacturing environment, vendors shall carry out
operations in ways that limit overtime to a level that
ensures humane and productive working conditions. Employees
shall not be required, except in extraordinary circumstances,
to work more than sixty hours per week, including overtime,
or the local legal requirement, whichever is less.
Employees shall be fully compensated for all overtime
hours according to local law. Each employee will be
informed at the time of hiring if mandatory overtime
is a condition of employment. All employees receive
a minimum of one day off in seven.
F.
Freedom of Association
Participants
will recognize and respect the right of employees to
exercise their lawful rights of free association and
collective bargaining. Where the right to freedom
of association is restricted under law, vendors must
allow their employees to raise with the vendors’ representatives
any job-related grievances the employees may have, without
penalty or reprisal.
G.
Disciplinary Practices
No
employee shall be subject to any physical, sexual,
psychological or verbal harassment or abuse. This includes,
but is not limited to, corporal punishment, threats
of violence, sexual harassment, and screaming or other
verbal abuse.
IV.
Health & Safety
Vendors
must treat all employees with respect and dignity,
and comply with all applicable laws and regulations
regarding working conditions. A safe and hygienic working
environment shall be provided, and occupational health
and safety practices shall be promoted. This includes
protection from fire, accidents, and toxic substances.
Lighting, heating and ventilation systems should be
adequate. Employees should have access at all times
to sanitary facilities, which should be adequate and
clean. The factory must have safety and health policies
that are clearly communicated to the workers. These
should apply to employee residential facilities, where
provided by employers.
V.
Environmental Requirements
Vendors
must comply with all applicable environmental laws
and regulations including, but not limited to, those
related to water discharges and air emissions. Vendors
must have a current environmental system or plan that
includes procedures for handling environmental emergencies.
Hazardous wastes must be properly contained, stored
and only disposed of at approved facilities. Trained
environmental personnel shall be assigned to manage
the areas of air and water emissions and waste management.
In
addition, vendors should aim for progressive improvement
in their environmental performance, not only in their
own operations, but also in their operations with partners,
suppliers and subcontractors. This includes adoption
of cleaner production and pollution prevention measures.
VI.
Documentation & Monitoring
The
vendor maintains all documentation needed to demonstrate
compliance with this Vendor Code of Conduct, agrees
to make these documents available for Black Diamond
or its designated monitor, and agrees to submit to
inspections with or without prior notice.
