Social Consciousness
Alternative is dedicated to providing premium merchandise and service to our clients. As an integral part of our corporate culture, we place a great deal of importance on the quality of people behind those products. To ensure that all of our manufacturing partners produce superior product, and also create the best working conditions and quality of life for their employees, we have adopted guidelines and principles for use with our vendors.
We are committed to requiring and upholding labor standards, and only align ourselves with vendors that share this same commitment. While we recognize that there are different legal and cultural environments in which our vendors operate throughout the world, our vendor principles and guidelines set forth the minimum requirements that all vendors must meet in order to work with us.
No forced labor.
There shall not be any use of involuntary or forced labor, whether indentured, bonded, prison or otherwise.
No child labor
No person shall be employed at an age younger than 15 (or 14 where the law of the country of manufacture allows), or younger than the age for completing compulsory education in the country of manufacture where such age is older than 15.
No harassment or abuse.
All employees shall be treated with respect and dignity. No employee shall be subject to corporal punishment, physical, sexual, psychological or verbal harassment or abuse.
No discrimination.
No person shall be subject to any discrimination in employment, including hiring, salary, benefits, advancement, discipline, termination or retirement, on the basis of gender, race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, political opinion, or social or ethnic origin.
Health and safety
Employers shall provide a safe and healthy working environment to prevent accidents and injury to health arising out of, linked with, or occurring in the course of work or as a result of the operation of employer facilities. Employers will also ensure that the same standards of health and safety are applied in any housing that they provide for employees.
Freedom of association and collective bargaining.
Employers shall recognize and respect the right of employees’ freedom of association and collective bargaining.
Wages and benefits.
Employers recognize that wages are essential to meeting employees’ basic needs. Employers shall pay employees, as a floor, at least the minimum wage required by local law or the prevailing industry wage, whichever is higher, and shall provide legally mandated benefits.
Hours of work.
Except in extraordinary business circumstances, employees shall not be required to work more than the lesser of 60 hours per week or the limits on regular and overtime hours allowed by the law of the country of manufacture. Except in extraordinary circumstances, employees shall be entitled to at least one day of rest in every 7 day period.
Overtime compensation.
In addition to their compensation for regular hours of work, employees shall be compensated for overtime hours at such premium rate as is legally required in the country of manufacture or, in those countries where such laws do not exist, at a rate at least equal to their regular hourly compensation rate.
Protection of the environment.
Vendors shall comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations.
Other laws.
Vendors shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including those pertaining to the manufacture, pricing, sale and distribution of merchandise. All references to “applicable laws and regulations” in this agreement include local and national codes, rules and regulations, as well as applicable treaties and voluntary industry standards.
Alternative is proud of the quality of our work and the quality of our people, and we will always ensure that those we work with will protect these by following our vendor guidelines.
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