Global Human Rights|Assessments

Working Together to Make it Better.

In 2005, we defined a new approach to our factory monitoring. We were encouraged by evidence that our process was leading to measurable improvement for our workers. However, we found that in some cases, progress was not sustained.

Human Assessments We stepped back and realized that an “audit” was not the most effective catalyst for change. A comprehensive remediation process was required. Lasting change took place when the factory took ownership of the situation and looked beyond the symptoms to address the root cause of the problems in collaboration with Timberland and other stakeholders.

It led to the refinement of our approach. One that goes beyond policing to consulting and partnering with our suppliers to influence change. Now we work together with factories to improve workplace quality, and sweeping, systemic changes are being made from the ground up.

It all boils down to a belief in genuine collaboration. Partnership. A process that ensures that workers and factory managers both participate in creating solutions that last.

Change like this doesn’t happen overnight. But we’re committed to investing whatever it takes to make real change in the workplace. Protecting workers’ rights is a shared responsibility, and factory workers, supervisors, and management all have a stake. By uniting with other brands and the local community, we can achieve a common objective: to address worker’s needs and improve workplace quality.

You’ll find a detailed analysis of these efforts if you look at the Global Human Rights section of our CSR Report.

Partner Remediation Process

The partner remediation process strives to increase the ability of workers and factory management to take the lead in improving their own workplace conditions – in a manner that is measurable and enduring. Our approach includes four platforms:

Empowering workers to protect their own rights and take an active role in improving their working conditions,
Creating grievance systems, self-monitoring systems and other procedures to identify and address problems as they arise,
Identifying new ways to move beyond policing factories to the analysis of root causes for individual problems, and
Training business partners in best practices.

		Corporate Social Responsibility Environmental Stewardship Civic Engagement Global Human Rights Code of Conduct Assessments Frequently Asked Questions Strategic Partnerships Transparency & Accountability Global Warming	Global Human Rights\|Assessments Working Together to Make it Better. In 2005, we defined a new approach to our factory monitoring. We were encouraged by evidence that our process was leading to measurable improvement for our workers. However, we found that in some cases, progress was not sustained. We stepped back and realized that an “audit” was not the most effective catalyst for change. A comprehensive remediation process was required. Lasting change took place when the factory took ownership of the situation and looked beyond the symptoms to address the root cause of the problems in collaboration with Timberland and other stakeholders. It led to the refinement of our approach. One that goes beyond policing to consulting and partnering with our suppliers to influence change. Now we work together with factories to improve workplace quality, and sweeping, systemic changes are being made from the ground up. It all boils down to a belief in genuine collaboration. Partnership. A process that ensures that workers and factory managers both participate in creating solutions that last. Change like this doesn’t happen overnight. But we’re committed to investing whatever it takes to make real change in the workplace. Protecting workers’ rights is a shared responsibility, and factory workers, supervisors, and management all have a stake. By uniting with other brands and the local community, we can achieve a common objective: to address worker’s needs and improve workplace quality. You’ll find a detailed analysis of these efforts if you look at the Global Human Rights section of our CSR Report. Partner Remediation Process The partner remediation process strives to increase the ability of workers and factory management to take the lead in improving their own workplace conditions – in a manner that is measurable and enduring. Our approach includes four platforms: Empowering workers to protect their own rights and take an active role in improving their working conditions, Creating grievance systems, self-monitoring systems and other procedures to identify and address problems as they arise, Identifying new ways to move beyond policing factories to the analysis of root causes for individual problems, and Training business partners in best practices.