Month: June 2024

June 11, 2024 /3BL/ – How are organizations responding to their responsibilities to ensure decent working conditions and fully disclose their impacts on workers? This question is at the heart of a major review of all GRI labor-related Standards – with a consultation launched for the first phase of disclosures.

Seeking greater transparency on employment practices and working conditions, a suite of proposed changes address policies on employment relationships, pay and working hours, and how businesses handle significant changes for workers. A global public comment period, underway until 4 October 2024, seeks feedback on redrafted versions of three Standards:

GRI 402: Labor/Management RelationsGRI 401: EmploymentGRI 202: Market Presence

The process has been guided by an expert group comprising tripartite representation of workers (International Trade Union Confederation, Global Unions Federations), employers (International Organization of Employers) and the International Labour Organization (ILO). Crucially, it will ensure GRI Labor Standards are fully aligned with key intergovernmental instruments for business and human rights, including those set by the ILO, the UN and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Two further consultation stages in the labor project will happen over the coming 12 months: for working life and career development, followed by workers’ rights and protections. In total, updates will be made to 11 GRI Standards, guided by the human rights-based approach and due diligence.

Carol Adams, Chair of GRI’s Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB), said:

“Revising labor-related disclosures is a high priority for the GSSB, given widespread recognition of the need for organizations to do more to protect human and labor rights and ensure decent conditions and treatment of workers. Better information and disclosure are key to achieving the SDGs and improving decision-making. I encourage all stakeholders to review the changes and provide feedback.

I warmly thank the members of the Technical Committee and Advisory Group for their valuable input to draft this first set of GRI Labor Standards. The representation of all GRI stakeholder constituencies and input provided by the ILO, IOE and international trade unions increases the legitimacy and global relevance of the proposed new Standards.”

Emily Sims, Senior Specialist, International Labour Organization (ILO), said:

“ILO welcomes GRI’s commitment to align its reporting standards with the principles contained in international labor standards. This alignment contributes to business transparency concerning labor-related impacts, actions and performance; and helps companies to strengthen their contribution to SDG 8 on decent work and inclusive economic growth. 

We also commend GRI for including IOE and ITUC in the periodic updating of the standards, to ensure that the updates reflect the interests of the key actors in the world of work. ILO looks forward to the finalization of GRI’s Labor Standards, and we will continue to engage in their development.”

Paul Mackay, International Organisation of Employers (IOE) Governing Body Deputy Member, added:

“The IOE has cooperated with GRI for many years to help companies assess and report their social and environmental impacts, in line with the UN and OECD guidelines on responsible business conduct and human rights. As such, I was delighted to serve as IOE representative on the Technical Committee that reviewed all GRI labor-related disclosures. 

Crucially, these draft standards have been developed in cooperation with the ILO and the workers trade unions and have the potential to positively contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. I encourage businesses, large and small, to engage in the public comment period to ensure that the perspectives of employers are fully reflected in the final standards.”

Peter Colley, National Research Director, Mining and Energy Union (Australia) and a labor constituency representative on the GSSB, added: 

“Employment is a key social and economic impact of most organizations. For some, it is their biggest impact. Their workforce is a source of competitive advantage, but also a major risk for adverse impacts regarding workplace human rights and broader sustainability. The substantial revision underway to the GRI Labor Standards will be a major tool for organizations to manage risk and improve their performance in this critical area.”

Free global webinars on phase one of the project will take place at 5pm CEST on 20 June and 9am CEST on 25 June, for which places can now be booked. 

The initial phase of the Labor Standards review covers how an organization manages its relationship with workers, and proposes changes within GRI 202: Market Presence 2016,GRI 401: Employment 2016, and GRI 402: Labor/Management Relations 2016, as well as a new ‘control of work’ Standard Interpretation (aligned with GRI 2: General Disclosures).

The draft new or revised disclosures relate to:

Employment: non-standard forms of employment, apprentices and internships, fair recruitment, performance management, personal data protection and privacy, employment termination, and hiring and turnover metrics.Remuneration and working time: includes policies and metrics of cost-of-living estimates, basic gender pay gap, and social protection coverage.Significant changes for workers: comprising consultation and notice periods to workers’ representatives, redeployment and up-skilling and re-skilling and termination of employment.

The need for increased corporate accountability for labor-related impacts is reinforced by the ILO 2024 trends report, which revealed around 435 million people globally are deprived of earning an income through employment – while many millions more face declining real wages, a lack of employment security, or deteriorating working conditions.

The public comment period is an opportunity to provide feedback on the clarity, completeness, feasibility and relevance of content in the exposure drafts. Stakeholders are encouraged to submit their feedback by completing this online form.

The Labor Technical Committee was appointed by the GSSB in 2022 to lead the review, with an Advisory Group of independent experts then brought together to support the content development process.

The GRI Standards – the world’s most widely used sustainability reporting standards – are set by the Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB), the independent and multi-stakeholder entity that works exclusively in the public interest.

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is the independent, international organization providing sustainability reporting standards that help businesses and other organizations take responsibility for their most significant impacts, by providing the global common language to report those impacts.

Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what do you do here at GoDaddy.

My name is Srinivasa Rao Sharma, but most people call me Srini. I grew up in Chennai, a city in the south of India, where I was the first person in my family to attend high school and college. I learned about the possibility of getting an education in the United States through my friends at undergrad and decided to apply. I got into Purdue University (go Boilermakers) and completed my graduate degree in Industrial Engineering. I like to optimize things around me. If I see dishes on a dining table that can be set up in a better manner, I will be the first one to do it. I also enjoy cooking and eating delicious Indian vegetarian food, especially biryani.

My wife and I like to go on road trips. I drove from Boston to Seattle (3,000 miles) in three and a half days this year. We added 30,000 miles to our car in just the last two years. We have a four-month-old son named Athik Shrey, which means “more kindness.”

I joined GoDaddy on Valentine’s Day in 2022 – I found the perfect match for my career! I started as a Senior Business Analyst, working on data enablement for various ventures. Later, I took on additional responsibilities to manage and enable data products related to cash receipts and maintain one of the most used and critical dashboards in the company. If you have any questions about revenue or cash receipt anomalies, you can ask me. Currently, I work as a Senior Business Analyst II in the Customer Product Analytics team.

What has been one of your proudest moments at GoDaddy?

After eight months at GoDaddy, I was entrusted the responsibility to own a vital data product that had a high impact on the business and improve its performance and reliability. I redesigned the underlying architecture, rebuilt the report with enhanced Tableau functionality, and delivered it to our stakeholders with faster loading and better user experience.

What do you want your colleagues, neighbors, and friends to take away from Asian Heritage Month?

Asian Heritage Month offers a valuable opportunity to acknowledge and honor the diverse contributions of Asians across various domains, including technology. It serves as a platform to gain insight into the rich and distinct cultures embraced by our Asian friends, neighbors, and colleagues, and to appreciate how these cultural influences shape their professional demeanor, communication, and personal traits.

Moreover, Asian Heritage Month prompts discussions about workplace inclusion and equity, fostering a deeper understanding of the importance of diversity. It encourages individuals to reflect on their roles in maintaining a fair and equitable work environment, ensuring that everyone, regardless of cultural background, is treated with respect and given equal opportunities.

How do you celebrate or honor your heritage and culture?

We celebrate festivals throughout the year to honor our heritage and culture. Every festival has its own way of celebration. One of my favorite festivals that we celebrate around January 15th each year is called “Thai Pongal”. During this festival, we honor the contributions of our farmers. We eat sugarcane and wear new clothes. We also conduct bull-taming competitions to recognize how important cows and bulls are for our farmers and society.

Moreover, our culture is expressed through the way we conduct marriages. These are lavish events that draw around a thousand guests. The ceremonies last for two to three days and follow intricate rituals that reflect our deep reverence for tradition and kinship.

Who are some mentors or public figures from your community that have influenced you in your life or professional career?

When I was a student, I found inspiration in the words of one of the greatest scientists, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the former President of India. Despite being born into a very poor family, he rose to become the President of India. Dr. Kalam was the epitome of humility, always advocating for the welfare of students and youth in our country. One of his famous quotes that deeply resonated with me is: “Dream is not that which you see while sleeping, it is something that does not let you sleep.” I continue to live by this philosophy today. I have experienced countless sleepless nights as I relentlessly pursue my dreams.

What’s your motto or personal mantra?

I have a few very simple and straightforward mantras in life. Some I learned from my dad and others I have learned from mentors. I will share two below.

“Money is not the only reward you might get for your efforts. There are other forms of rewards that are more valuable than money that one must not fail to recognize.”

“The most expected reward or prize is always delivered at the most unexpected times.”

Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You’re more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.

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KFC

This week, KFC Global’s Chief Development Officer Nivera Wallani and Chief Sustainability Officer Nira Johri spoke at Innovation Forum’s Future of Food and Beverage conference about why cross-functional engagement is the key to turning sustainability ambitions into reality.

They shared how our development, operations, HR, supply chain and marketing teams are working together to engage employees, suppliers and franchisees, create cross-functional governance and embed sustainability throughout our business strategy.

Originally published on Fast Company

AI has transformed the job market in the last year, here’s how recent grads can be better prepared.

While many in Gen Z are fearful of how AI could affect their job security, a new IBM study revealed this boom could actually create jobs. 40% of CEOs surveyed plan to hire additional staff because of generative AI and 51% percent say they are hiring for generative AI roles that did not exist last year, with more than half saying they are struggling to fill key technology roles. 

“There is a shift towards hiring people with these skills,” says Justina Nixon-Saintil, Vice President and Chief Impact Officer at IBM. “If you do not have basic AI skills, or even advanced AI skills, it is going to be more challenging for you to find meaningful employment.”

To capitalize upon these job opportunities, Nixon-Saintil suggests young people begin educating themselves on AI now. She says that there are many free resources and tools online that teach prompt writing, AI ethics and more. 

Click here to continue reading on Fast Company

One small manufacturing change can have an incredible environmental impact.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK) is partnering with Sherwin Williams General Industrial to become the first industrial company in its market space to implement a powder paint with key sustainability attributes. Rockwell will convert most North American painted products (more than half of Rockwell’s global usage) to the Sherwin Williams paint called Powdura® ECO. Both companies have strong commitments to improving sustainability in their operations and supporting a circular economy.

Powdura ECO uses resins containing up to 25% post-consumer recycled plastic (rPETs) to reduce carbon emissions and put circular economy principles into action, ultimately helping to mitigate plastic pollution. A next-level approach to sustainability, Powdura ECO offers a remarkable solution to reducing CO2 emissions while maintaining uncompromised performance.

During the second half of FY24, Rockwell will switch over its largest volume paint, used mainly on low voltage and medium voltage motor control centers. This will transition roughly 50% of Rockwell’s global paint to a sustainable option, diverting 4.1 million water bottles annually from landfills, and saving 1,232 tons of CO2 after 10 years (based on 410,000 lbs. used annually projected from FY24 sales).

“Powdura ECO helps reduce plastic pollution by giving plastic waste a second life, reusing it as a core raw material in the coating,” said Tony Johnson, marketing manager, Sherwin-Williams.

Learn more about Rockwell’s sustainably advantaged solutions.

The company’s 25th Sustainability Report also details:

An action-oriented approach towards food systems[1] transformation, establishing four key pathways with targets, as launched at COP28.The launch of an aseptic beverage carton featuring a paper-based barrier, with 90% renewable content.A 47% reduction in operational greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions[2] since 2019.

Tetra Pak launches its 25th Sustainability Report, which tracks the progress the company has made against its sustainability agenda. It focuses on five interdependent areas: food systems, circularity, climate, nature and social sustainability.

The company’s Sustainability Report FY23[3] shows a 20% reduction in value chain[4] GHG emissions and a 47% reduction in GHG emissions across its own operations since 2019. The latter puts Tetra Pak on track to meet its target of net zero GHG emissions in its own operations by 2030[5] and supports the company’s long-term ambition to work together with suppliers, customers and other stakeholders and achieve net-zero GHG emissions across the value chain by 2050.[6]

Another major milestone saw the launch of an aseptic beverage carton featuring a paper-based barrier, reducing its carbon footprint by a third (33%)[7] and bringing the company a step closer to developing the world’s most sustainable food package.[8] This world-first was a result of a €100 million investment in packaging research and development in 2023, with the same investment planned annually for the next five to ten years.

Adolfo Orive, President & CEO at Tetra Pak, comments: “Collaboration across the food industry is ever more important to feed a growing population sustainably. Our global presence and end-to-end solutions give us opportunities every day to collaborate with stakeholders across the value chain, from farmers and food producers, to suppliers, policy makers, consumers and others. We understand the responsibility that comes with this role. We remain committed to playing our part to transform the world’s food systems, to ensure they are more secure, resilient and sustainable.”

Tetra Pak’s Sustainability Report FY23 highlights further company achievements in the past year, and its ongoing initiatives to protect food, people and the planet. These include:

Expanding School Feeding Programmes: The company helped 64 million children in 49 countries to get access to milk and other nutritious beverages through School Feeding Programmes.Accelerating Recycling: Amount of carton packages collected and sent for recycling across the world rose by 7% compared to 2022. Additionally, there was a 14% increase in the volume of polyAl[9] sent for recycling.[10]Getting recognition, again, for Leadership in Corporate Transparency and Performance: For the eighth consecutive year, Tetra Pak was included in the CDP Forests ‘A List’. Additionally, the company received an ‘A-‘ rating in Water Security, despite it being the first year of reporting in this area.Actively implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

The full FY23 report can be found here.

Tetra Pak PR Contact:
Lucia Freschi 
Tetra Pak
Tel: +39 347 2632237

[1] Definition: A food system is a system that embraces all the elements (environment, people, inputs, processes, infrastructure, institutions, markets and trade) and activities that relate to the production, processing, distribution and marketing, preparation and consumption of food and the outputs of these activities, including socio-economic and environmental outcomes. Source: High Level Task Force on Global Food and Nutrition Security (HLTF) (un.org)
[2] Scopes 1, 2 and business travel
[3] Financial year 2023 (FY23) is the period from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023
[4] Scopes 1, 2 & 3. Scope 1 covers direct emissions from owned or controlled sources. Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating and cooling consumed by the reporting company. Scope 3 includes all other indirect emissions that occur in a company’s value chain.
[5] Scopes 1, 2 and business travel – compared to 2019.
[6] Scopes 1, 2 & 3 – compared to 2019.
[7] Carbon Trust™-verified Tetra Pak ‘Carton CO2 Calculator’ model version 9 (valid from 2023-01-01). Scope: cradle-to-grave measurement of a Tetra Brik® Aseptic 200 Slim Leaf carton with plant-based polymers in coating and paper-based barrier compared to a standard Tetra Brik® Aseptic 200 Slim Leaf package. Geography: EU Industry data.
[8] Tetra Pak’s ambition is to create the ‘world’s most sustainable food package. This means creating cartons that are made of renewable or recycled materials, which are responsibly sourced, thereby helping protect and restore our planet’s climate, resources and biodiversity; contributing towards low carbon production and distribution; convenient and safe, therefore helping to enable a resilient food system; fully recyclable.
[9] The non-fibre component of carton packages is known as polyAl, which designates the layers of polyethylene and aluminium being used as barrier against oxygen and humidity to protect the food content in aseptic carton packages.
[10] For the reported carton packages collected for recycling, we use, where available, official publicly available data from renowned sources, such as governmental agency, registered recovery organisation, nationwide industry association, NGO, etc., reported on a regular basis using a consistent approach.

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