Business and human rights

Welcome to the Eversheds Sutherland Business and human rights hub. Here you can find our publications on human rights, the issues presented to businesses and details of our client events programme.

Global employment conditions are under increasing scrutiny. Allegations of modern slavery and trafficking, sweatshop factories, dangerous working conditions and child labour have been made against a wide range of companies, particularly those reliant on long and complex supply chains. Increasingly, suppliers are having to certify their human rights standards and businesses disclose how they are addressing human rights risks. Governments are reinforcing this change in emphasis by introducing new human rights procurement conditions, governance codes, reporting duties and national action plans.

Workplace human rights harm causes misery and threatens lives. It also poses a significant risk for business, including reputational, procurement, financial, operational and legal risks. Organisations need to respond to prevent harm, demonstrate ethical leadership, minimise the prospects of brand damage and build sustainable operations. Our risk assessment and due diligence tools play a vital part in that response, helping businesses to identify and address key human rights risks, demonstrate action taken and manage the transition towards greater transparency.