This webinar discussed the inclusion of workers with disabilities in the workplace. Participants were introduced to the ILO Global Business and Disability Network, and learned how the ILO Code of Practice for Managing Disability in the Workplace can serve as a guide for their disability inclusion policies and efforts. This was an updated presentation of the June 2011 webinar and was scheduled for participants in the Asia region.

Web accessibility is a precondition for all persons with disabilities to enjoy the use of the internet. Without it, producers of web-based content, products and services may involuntarily exclude millions of users from their potential audience. This webinar featured examples from companies on how they have taken steps to assure the accessibility of their content. Additionally, how web accessibility is linked to the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was reviewed. A live transcription of the webinar was provided to facilitate communication accessibility.

As a result of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, businesses regardless of sector are paying greater attention to the actual and potential human rights impacts of their operations and business relationships on stakeholders. This webinar co-hosted by the UN Global Compact and the Danish Institute for Human Rights explored the various types of Human Rights Impact Assessments, including company, community and sector-based, analyzing both the impetus behind the assessments as well as lessons learned.

Principle 6 of the Children’s Rights and Business Principles indicates that all businesses should use marketing and advertising that respect and support children’s rights. Co-hosted by UNICEF, UN Global Compact and Save the Children, this webinar explored how companies can ensure that their communication and marketing approaches do not have an adverse impact on children. Further it reviewed how marketing may be used to raise awareness of and promote children’s rights. The discussion also included examples of global standards and voluntary trends in this area.

Frequently, human rights impacts experienced by peoples and communities are cumulative impacts, that is, the result of the combined actions of several companies or other actors. However, these impacts may not be picked up by corporate risk assessments, or may not be viewed through a human rights lens; further, government action may be lacking. How should a responsible company identify and address its incremental contribution to a cumulative human rights impact? How can it engage with other contributors, whether other companies, government or others to mitigate remaining impact? This webinar addresses challenges and best practices in respect of cumulative human rights impacts.

Explores the role of company-level grievance mechanisms, their benefits and limitations, their relationship to other means of addressing stakeholder concerns, and some key considerations when designing a mechanism to be effective in practice. Examples and perspectives from business representatives are also shared.

This online resource is a multi-stakeholder platform for multi-national corporations with operations, supply chains and distribution networks in regions that present high levels of risk to the realization of human rights.

Explores how responsible businesses can best respect the right to privacy of customers, employees and other relevant stakeholders – whilst protecting their own legitimate legal and commercial interests. In particular, the webinar examines the challenges faced by companies operating in locations where the right to privacy is inadequately protected and/or is undermined by local law – with a focus on ‘higher risk’ sectors such as information technology and telecommunications. This includes an examination of how responsible companies are responding to state-backed mass surveillance programs in key jurisdictions – as well as the expanding use of digital surveillance in countries with poor human rights records.

Explores how businesses can responsibly manage the human rights impacts of their own water-intensive operations and/or supply chains. In particular, the webinar examines the specific challenges around potential human rights impacts on communities that have inadequate water supplies or that are located in water-stressed areas. As well as analysing how responsible companies can best respect international standards around the right to water and sanitation, the webinar also explores related corporate projects in this area – as well as their outcomes.

Explores the challenges responsible businesses can face when addressing gender-based discrimination and promoting gender equality in their operations and supply chains. In particular, the webinar examines how companies can responsibly navigate this issue where local cultural, legal and/or business norms permit or promote discrimination. Additionally, the webinar explores a range of relevant good practice – including the integration of the Women’s Empowerment Principles into business policies and practices – as well as examples of multi-national companies that have addressed this issue.

Addresses how responsible businesses can mitigate the risk of association with human trafficking and forced labour in their operations or supply chains. The dilemma for business is how to detect, prevent and take corrective measures against these hidden forms of exploitation. The webinar also explores suggested best practices to help companies mitigate related risks.

Addresses the issue of how responsible businesses can ensure that their procurement of minerals does not profit armed groups in producer countries, or provide such groups with incentives to control strategic mining areas and trading routes through violent means. In particular, the webinar examines the risks posed by conflict minerals to multi-national corporations (MNCs); for example, in terms of relevant legal requirements in the United States or the protection of company reputations. Additionally, the webinar explores suggested good practices to help MNCs mitigate these risks, including supply-chain due diligence and traceability initiatives.