A Shared Commitment
The guidelines you are about to read are of utmost importance to the
Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation and to the relationships we form with
suppliers, contractors and business partners.
While we place tremendous importance on these relationships, many of which
qualify as genuine friendships of long standing, certain values and standards
have always been, and will always remain, paramount. Adherence to these values
and standards by the people and companies we do business with is a prerequisite
for continuing or establishing relationships with our company.
Indeed, we cannot do business with any company that fails to adhere to these
ideals.
We believe that by working together to see these standards enforced, our
company and its suppliers, contractors and, business partners can help achieve
a genuine improvement in the lives of working people around the world.
This mission has been a guiding principle of our company for more than a
century, and it shall guide us in the future and take precedence over any
economic or busi ness concern.
Guidelines for Vendors:
While respecting cultural differences and economic variances that reflect
the particu lar countries where we and our vendors do business, our goal is to
create, and encourage creation of, model facilities that not only provide good
jobs at fair wages, but which also improve conditions in the community at
large. Therefore we actively seek business associations with those who share
our concerns.
The following guidelines address issues which are substantially controllable
by our vendors:
- Ethical Standards
We will not do business with any vendor who discriminates based on race,
gender or religion. We will not do business with any vendor who violates the
legal and moral rights of employees in any way.
- Environmental Requirements
A commitment to the environment must be shared by our vendors. While the
apparel and footwear businesses are not among those industry sectors which are
often cited for environmental infringements, there are many ways in which we
can work to nurture a better environment at our facilities and in the
communities in which we operate.
- Legal Requirements
We expect our vendors to be law abiding citizens and to comply with any
and all legal requirements relevant to the conduct of their business.
- Health and Safety Requirements
We will only do business with vendors who provide employees with a safe
and healthy work environment. Vendors should make a responsible contribution
to the health care needs of their employees.
Employment Practices:
We will not do business with any vendor who fails to consistently treat
employees fairly with regard to wages, benefits and working conditions.
Specifically, the fol lowing guidelines apply:
- We will only do business with vendors who provide reasonable wages and
benefits that match or exceed the prevailing local industry standard.
- While permitting flexibility in scheduling, we will only do business with
vendors who do not exceed prevailing local work hours and who appropri ately
compensate overtime. No employee should be scheduled for more that sixty hours
of work per week, and we will favor vendors who utilize work weeks of less than
sixty hours. Employees should be allowed at least one day off per seven day
week.
- We will not be associated with any vendor who uses any form of mental or
physical coercion. We will not do business with any vendor who utilizes prison
or forced labor.
- We will not do business with any vendor who denies their employees appro
priate access to education, health care, religious observance or family obliga
tions.
- We will favor vendors who share our commitment to contribute to the better
ment of the communities in which they operate.
- We will never do business with any company that makes use of child.labor.
Employees of our vendors must be over the applicable minimum legal age
requirement or be at least 14 years old, whichever is greater. Vendors must
observe all child labor laws, particularly those pertaining to hours of work,
wages, minimum education and working conditions. We encourage vendors to
support night classes and work-study programs, especially for younger workers.
We have in the past suspended our association with a company that was found
to abuse the rights of employees, and we will not hesitate to do so in the
future if any of the standards outlined above are violated.
The Phillips-Van Heusen Commitment:
- To conduct all business in keeping with the highest moral, ethical and
legal standards.
- To recruit, train, and provide career advancement to all associates without
regard to race, gender or religion. Bigotry, racism and sexual harassment will
not be tolerated.
- To maintain workplace environments that encourage frank and open com
munications.
- To be concerned with the preservation and improvement of our environ ment.
- To be ever mindful that our dedication to these standards is absolute and
will not be compromised.
