United Nations Global Compact
The United Nations Global Compact is a call to companies to align strategies and operations with universal principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption and to undertake actions that advance societal goals.
The Global Compact has become the world's largest global corporate citizenship initiative and although it is voluntary has credence because membership requires transparency and disclosure and external scrutiny. Signatories commit to and provide an annual report on progress, called a Communication on Progress, providing the opportunity for chief executives to re-commit to the ten principles and to report on progress and plans.
Shoosmiths became a signatory 27 January 2016 and is committed to progressing and reporting on ten principles:
United Nations Global Compact Principles
Human Rights
Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights and;
Principle 2: Make sure they are not complicit in any human rights abuses.
Labour
Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
Principle 4: The elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
Principle 5: The effective abolition of child labour; and
Principle 6: The elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
Environment
Principle 7: Businesses should adopt a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
Principle 8: Undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
Principle 9: Encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.
Anti-Corruption
Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.
In 2023 the Global Compact changed to an online approach of demonstrating adherence to the ten principles with annual Communications on Progress reports no longer required.
Shoosmiths’ details are located here.