Companies Brace For Human Rights Metrics

Companies are under increasing pressure to report on the social impact of their operations, specifically with regard to human rights. In 2011 the United Nations adopted its “Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights,” and since then several other standards have either been introduced or are in various stages of development. “Companies trying to fulfill their legitimate obligations in this important arena,” write attorneys from Littler Mendelson, “need to carefully and thoughtfully parse these differing guidelines and protocols to ensure that they do not incur unintended conflict and expense.” The specifics of the guidelines vary and are not without controversy, the authors note, in particular with regard to what they have to say about labor unions and labor organizing.