Inhumane Treatment

§ 7
No harsh or inhumane treatment, no sexual harassment

STEP monitors the compliance with humane treatment of all workers during the audits. As a preventive measures STEP also raises awareness on the issue, including the communication of consequences, e.g. fines and penalties for criminal offences as defined by the law.

Standard:

The use of corporal punishment, mental or physical coercion and verbal or physical (sexual) abuse is forbidden. Disciplinary measures are well defined and communicated to the workers.

Guidance:

Well defined measures means that the offences and the respective sanctions are clearly stated and that no other measures are in use than the ones defined in advance. Deductions from wages for disciplinary measures are not permitted. Communication to workers includes but is not limited to announcing the disciplinary measures in writing and in an understandable form (words and/or pictograms).

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