Empowering Workers: EcoVadis Launches Innovative Survey to Address Labor Risks and Enhance Human Rights Due Diligence

EcoVadis has introduced an innovative survey tool known as Worker Voice, aimed at gathering real-time, anonymous feedback from employees throughout the global supply chain. This new tool, developed in collaboration with Ulula, addresses critical labor risks and enhances corporate human rights due diligence.

The Importance of Worker Voice in Today’s Supply Chain

With increasing regulatory demands and heightened stakeholder expectations, the Worker Voice platform allows businesses to go beyond mere compliance and take significant strides towards responsible sourcing. In a landscape marked by global trade volatility and ongoing supply chain challenges, organizations are more susceptible to labor exploitation, such as forced labor and unsafe working conditions.

Key Features of Worker Voice

• Cost-Effective Insights: The tool provides companies a budget-friendly way to understand working conditions, particularly in economically unstable environments where vulnerable workers are most affected.
• Direct Access to Worker Experiences: Unlike traditional social audits that are often sporadic and costly, Worker Voice offers comprehensive access to employee feedback across the supply chain, regardless of location or language.
• Anonymity and Safety: By ensuring worker anonymity, the platform encourages honest feedback, helping to identify workplace issues such as excessive overtime, unsafe conditions, and harassment.

Real-Time Analysis and Compliance

Worker Voice stands out by providing instant, actionable insights through real-time analysis of worker responses, allowing companies to swiftly address concerns and implement meaningful changes that prioritize employee safety and well-being. Importantly, this solution aligns with international regulations concerning modern slavery and human rights, enhancing organizations’ social compliance efforts.

Global Deployment and Accessibility

This innovative tool is designed for worldwide use, featuring automated surveys that enable rapid scaling of due diligence efforts. Companies can distribute surveys easily through QR codes or phone numbers, allowing workers to respond in under ten minutes, in their preferred language. The survey window remains open for ten days to maximize participation rates.

Quotes from EcoVadis Leadership

EcoVadis co-founder and co-CEO, Pierre-François Thaler, emphasized the need for greater visibility in compliance efforts: “Companies are under pressure to comply with new regulations and meet rising stakeholder expectations, but policy without visibility falls short of where it matters most – on the ground with workers.”

He further stated, “EcoVadis Worker Voice equips our customers with essential data and insights, enabling them to transform ethical commitments into tangible outcomes for workers across their value chains.”

For more information about how EcoVadis can assist your organization in enhancing supply chain visibility and ethical sourcing practices, visit their official website.