Policies / Ethical Employment Policy
1. Introduction
Lee Brothers strives to conduct business to the highest ethical and environmental standards seeking to use and utilise manufacturers that do the same. Lee Brothers has its own detailed code of conduct, which is integral to its business and that all suppliers and their sources must adhere to. Lee Brothers’ code of conduct is based on current best practices with regard to employment ethics, health and safety practices and environmental practices; so that when a customer purchases our garments they know that they have been produced under acceptable conditions.
This means the products are produced:
- without exploiting the people who make them
- lawfully, through fair and honest dealing
- in decent working conditions
- reducing the environmental impact during production and transportation
2. Employment
All suppliers must meet the local laws on conditions such as minimum wages, hours of work, overtime and deductions.
3. Employing children
Lee Brothers does not condone the use of child labour and our suppliers must not employ children. Lee Brothers does support legitimate, legally sanctioned apprentices and educated-related work as long as the child is not being exploited, there is no risk to the child’s health, education and development, and you have the permission of the child’s parents. The age for admission to employment shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, not less than 15 years. (ILO Convention 138)
4. Forced labour
There shall be no use of forced, including bonded or prison, labour. (ILO Conventions 29 and 105).
5. Disciplinary practices
Every employee must be treated with respect and dignity. No employee is treated with threatening behaviour, physical punishment or any form of mental or verbal abuse.
6. Non-Discrimination
Lee Brother’s suppliers employ and deal with all their employees fairly and without discrimination. (ILO convention 111 and Recommendation 111). This is regardless of age, sex, race, religion or disability.
7. Freedom of association
Suppliers acknowledge that employees have the right to associate or unionise with any organisation that is legal in that country.
8. Health, safety and welfare
A safe and hygienic working environment shall be provided, and best occupational health and safety practice shall be promoted, bearing in mind the prevailing knowledge of the industry and of any specific hazards. Appropriate attention shall be paid to occupational hazards specific to this branch of the industry and assure that a safe and hygienic work environment is provided for. Effective regulations shall be implemented to prevent accidents and minimise health risks as much as possible (AS/NZS 4801).
9. Environment
Lee Brothers is independently certified to ISO 14001 standard and commits to working only with suppliers and manufacturers that have the same environmental synergies as Lee Brothers.