Transcending Box-ticking by Listening to Auditors
Transcending Box-ticking by Listening to Auditors

We work in the field of “responsible sourcing”. How, to date, have we all tried to carry out this responsibility?

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Auditing, SustainabilityLea Esterhuizensocial auditiing, audit, responsible sourcing, compliance
Reflections on SEDEX 2018
Reflections on SEDEX 2018

It was refreshing to observe a change in tone and seriousness during the annual SEDEX conference.

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Auditing, Human RightsLea Esterhuizensedex, compliance, responsible supply chains, ethical trade, worker voice, continuous improvement
How can workers breathe new life into auditing?
How can workers breathe new life into auditing?

We have long been whining about the shortcomings of auditing, but a widespread abandonment of the role of the auditor is not going to happen anytime soon. Why?

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AuditingLea Esterhuizencompliance, direct worker reporting, global supply chains, reporting, suppliers, supply chains, worker inclusive audit, workers, worker voice
When do workers feel comfortable to report on their everyday lives?
When do workers feel comfortable to report on their everyday lives?

Some workers may never risk giving candid feedback about their working conditions. But even in precarious workplaces, we do and will continue to find workers who will still risk it.

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Human Rights, AuditingLea Esterhuizenworkers, working conditions, employee surveys, surveys, employee satisfaction surveys, response rates, worker participation, worker trust
4 Conversations to Have With Your Vendors
4 Conversations to Have With Your Vendors

These key business partners are more than just gate keepers that allow access to factories abroad, they also play a critical role in interpreting expectations, communicating priorities, and understanding challenges that factories in their base are experiencing.

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Auditing, SustainabilityGreta Matossupply chains, global supply chains, factories, vendors, suppliers
If in doubt, boycott – or not?
If in doubt, boycott – or not?

What if you were sitting around a dinner table and a friend said: “None of us should buy anything made in China because there is modern slavery in China”. What would you say?

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Human Rights, SustainabilityLea Esterhuizenmodern slavery, ethical trade, ethical consumer
Are worker voice tools really about workers’ voices?
Are worker voice tools really about workers’ voices?

How do these worker voice tools work and how can we better distinguish between gathering data on working conditions and being involved in the dialogue itself?

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AuditingLea Esterhuizenworker voice, data