Enabling companies to progress on the most challenging aspects of HRDD

The growing emphasis on human rights due diligence (HRDD) in legislation presents a pivotal moment for business and human rights, in which the expectation to demonstrate genuine progress has never been greater.  

‘Progress’ has long been a significant word at ETI, encapsulating the continuous improvement journey that all company members are on when it comes to human rights in their supply chains. It is increasingly recognised that a tick-box, compliance-based approach is not enough to drive meaningful change. At ETI, we support our members to constantly progress and improve their approach to HRDD, enabling them to best respond to the ever-evolving landscape of human rights risks. 

We enable our company members to make effective progress through practical, group workshops on the most challenging aspects of HRDD. The workshops are structured around ETI’s Progression Framework, our comprehensive member-only tool which supports companies to implement a HRDD approach over time. 

We repeatedly see the benefit of bringing members of varying sizes and sectors together to share experiences and build learning on the nuts and bolts of HRDD. Common challenges are discussed, potential solutions are shared, and all attendees are reminded that they have a safe support network to draw upon.   

How does it work for new company members?  

During the first two years of membership, companies participate in a structured series of HRDD workshops with their peers. These sessions involve detailed guidance and direction from ETI experts, in addition to the opportunity for discussion with other new companies and the chance to hear from NGO, trade union and company members who are more advanced in their human rights journeys.  

This approach enables new members to develop internal knowledge and capacity, whilst establishing their policy commitment, setting strategic objectives and building the foundations of their company’s human rights approach. New members ‘graduate’ to full membership when they are able to demonstrate that this work has been done. Over the last year, we have seen seven company members graduate to full membership. 

‘These sessions have been so valuable in building my understanding and progressing Trutex forward in our ETI journey.’ 

Lindsay Hall, Product Compliance Lead at Trutex  

How does ETI support company members who are more advanced in their human rights journeys?  

We run more advanced deep dive workshops on aspects of HRDD that company members commonly find challenging, such as risk assessment, grievance mechanisms and remedy. From the broad offering of sessions, more advanced members select and attend workshops on topics that are relevant to their organisation’s areas of focus and challenge.  

During the last year, we have welcomed a diverse range of speakers from across the ETI membership to our workshops. This has included representatives from ETI’s trade union and NGO caucuses, sharing on their areas of expertise, including talks from Oxfam on grievance mechanisms, the Centre for Child Rights and Business on child labour remediation and Trade Union Congress on freedom of association and collective bargaining.  

We have also heard from company members of varying sizes and sectors, who have demonstrated significant progress in particular areas. This has included talks from Aldi South Group on human rights strategy, Boden on risk assessment and John Lewis Partnership on remedy.  

'We have gained greater understanding of how to identify human rights risks and clarity on how to practically apply the Progression Framework. The presentations from One+All and Anti-Slavery International were great practical examples, and engagement with other members is useful.’ 

Unathi Dube, Ethical Trading & Transformation Specialist at Woolworths  

What HRDD workshops can members look forward to?  

In the coming months, ETI members will have the opportunity to participate in a diverse range of HRDD workshops. Each session will continue to be highly practical, participatory and action focused. 

Upcoming topics include: 

  • Human rights in the era of the climate crisis – the role of just transitions in HRDD 
  • Understanding gender responsive HRDD in practice 
  • Deep dive on grievance mechanisms and remedy  
  • A practical focus on unpacking mandatory HRDD  
Sound like something your organisation could benefit from?  

Check out  Mamas & Papas and Liberty London’s experiences of ETI’s HRDD workshops and find out more about how to join ETI.