4. Hiring and Employment Practices
Suppliers must implement hiring practices that accurately verify workers’ age and legal right to work in the country prior to employment. All terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to, hiring, pay, training, promotion, termination, and retirement must be based on an individual’s ability and willingness to do the job.
A. Age Verification
1. Suppliers must verify the age of every worker prior to that worker beginning employment.
a. All workers must be verified by the Supplier to meet the minimum age Standards from the beginning date of employment.
2. Each worker’s record must contain a copy of identification documents as proof of age, such as a copy of a birth certificate or a national identification card.
B. Employment of Foreign Workers
1. Every foreign worker must be in the host country lawfully and have a valid work permit for the entire period they are employed by the Supplier.
2. Suppliers must have a system for verifying the legal right to work of foreign workers in the host country.
3. Suppliers must verify the legal right to work of every foreign worker prior to that worker beginning employment.
4. The Supplier must maintain a copy of documents giving that foreign worker a right to work in the host country.
C. Worker Treatment
1. Workers shall be treated with dignity and respect for the individual.
a. Suppliers shall not tolerate the abuse of workers by any person.
b. Suppliers shall allow workers reasonable movement in the workplace, including unrestricted reasonable access to bathrooms and drinking water.
2. Employment practices of Suppliers should be based on equal opportunity for all workers.
a. Employment practices must be based on an individual’s ability and willingness to do their job.
D. Employment Contracts
1. Suppliers must issue terms and conditions of employment to each worker that complies with applicable law.
a. Workers must be provided with written and understandable details regarding their employment.
b. The terms and conditions of employment should be provided in a language understood by the worker.
2. Suppliers should not use consecutive short-term agreements or apprenticeship schemes absent an actual intent to impart skills or eventually provide regular employment.
E. Worker Discipline
1. Suppliers should establish written disciplinary procedures that are clear, understandable, and accessible to all workers.
a. The procedures should be available in a language understood by the worker.
2. All disciplinary actions should be recorded, and a document providing the details of the disciplinary action should be kept in the worker’s record.
F. Pregnancy and Maternity
1. Suppliers shall not restrict or limit workers’ reproductive rights.
2. Suppliers should not ask female applicants about their pregnancy status, unless required for reasons of health and safety, for example, chemical exposure.
3. Unless pregnancy tests are required by law, Suppliers shall not require pregnancy testing of female employment applicants or workers.
4. Women returning from maternity leave should be given an equivalent position and equal pay if required by law.
5. Suppliers must comply with any work environment requirements protecting the health and safety of pregnant, post-partum, and lactating women.