Respect for Human Rights
Approach and Policy
Social Issue
In recent years, as corporate activity has expanded on a global scale, human rights have become a major social issue. This includes the problem of conflict minerals, child labor, forced labor, and the occurrence of accidents due to poor working environments throughout corporate supply chains. In this situation, Casio recognizes that corporations are expected to address human rights issues in accordance with international standards such as the United Nations’ Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
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Importance for the Casio Group
Casio operates its business on a global scale, but these business activities can only take place with the support of various stakeholders. Casio understands that, in the course of pursuing its business activities, it could possibly have a negative impact on the human rights of stakeholders, including diverse groups such as employees, customers, and business partners’ workers. An inadequate response to human rights issues can develop into serious management risks such as significant decline in corporate brand value, product boycotts, and suspension of business transactions by suppliers.
Casio recognizes respect for human rights as an important sustainability issue as it continues to expand its business globally and will continue to step up initiatives in this area based on international norms related to human rights.
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Policy
Since December 2010, Casio has been a signatory to and participated in the UN Global Compact, which consists of 10 principles related to human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption advocated by the United Nations. In June 2013, as part of an overall reconsideration of the content of the code, Casio revised its Code of Conduct (currently, the Casio Business Conduct Guidelines), explicitly stating a commitment to uphold and respect international norms relating to human rights, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and to respect basic labor rights.
Recognizing the importance of ensuring effectively functioning global governance related to respect for human rights going forward, Casio held dialogues with group employees outside Japan and experts and established the Casio Group Basic Policy on Respect for Human Rights on July 1, 2014. The policy specifies, among other things, the group’s commitment to supporting and respecting international codes of conduct for human rights, including the International Bill of Human Rights (Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work from the International Labour Organization (ILO). It also specifies the group’s commitment to carrying out initiatives related to respect for human rights based on the UN’s Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and to continuously performing human rights due diligence after the framework for that purpose is established. In addition, Casio has identified the current priority issues related to human rights in this policy.
Responding to the enactment of laws such as the UK Modern Slavery Act, Casio revised its human rights policy and material issues related to human rights in November 2016. This policy and related materials issues are established, revised, and/or abolished by resolution of the Board of Directors.
In addition to working to thoroughly disseminate these codes and policies, Casio will periodically consider whether they need to be re-examined in light of human rights issues that may arise due to societal trends or the business environment, and revise them as necessary.
Casio Group Policy on Human Rights
The Casio Group (hereinafter, “Casio”) is a multinational corporation with operations around the world, making its business activities connected to a wide range of stakeholders.
Casio understands that these activities carry the potential of having adverse human rights impacts*1 on stakeholders.
Human rights are fundamental rights that all people are entitled to.
Consequently, Casio, as a contributing member of society, recognizes the importance of human rights and hereby declares that it will respect the fundamental human rights of all stakeholders, including employees.
Casio implements human rights related initiatives in accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. These principles contain clear provisions on the “state duty to protect human rights,” “the corporate responsibility to respect human rights,” and “access to remedy.”
Casio will strive to heighten the awareness of every Casio executive officer and employee toward human rights through this Policy, which will enable Casio to contribute to the development of a sustainable society by continually implementing management and business activities that fully respect human rights.
*1: “Adverse human rights impacts” refers to actions that harm the dignity of an individual(s) in the workplace through harassment or other means, for example. This also includes discrimination during hiring or job promotions based on one’s social standing or nationality or when suppliers use child or forced labor for their production activities. Adverse human rights impacts also apply to actions that harm the health of local community members, such as the release of pollution from a factory, and consequently have adverse human rights impacts.
1. Fundamental Principles and Rank of this Policy
Casio supports and respects international norms of behavior on human rights*2. In addition, this Policy shall take precedence over other documents that currently stipulate Casio’s human rights initiatives, including the Casio Group Code of Conduct, Procurement Policies, and Supplier Guidelines.
*2: “International norms of behavior on human rights” refers to the International Bill of Human Rights (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)), the International Labour Organization (ILO)’s Declaration of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, and the United Nations Global Compact, etc.
2. Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights
Casio will never infringe on the human rights of others and will make efforts to fulfill its corporate responsibility to respect human rights by addressing the adverse human rights impacts that may arise from its own business activities.
In addition, if Casio’s actions do not contribute to adverse human rights impacts directly, but the actions of Casio’s business partners and/or other related parties do, through Casio’s businesses, products or services, Casio will encourage such parties take steps to stop infringing on human rights.
3. Scope
This Policy applies to all executive officers and employees of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., its subsidiaries, and affiliated companies in which Casio Computer Co., Ltd., has real management rights. Furthermore, Casio will take steps to encourage business partners, and other related parties that Casio is in a position to influence, to follow this Policy as well.
4. Human Rights Due Diligence
Casio will create a mechanism for human rights due diligence*3 in order to fulfill its corporate responsibility to respect human rights and will use this mechanism on a continual and ongoing basis.
*3: “Human rights due diligence” refers to continuous processes implemented in order to preclusively ascertain, avoid and mitigate adverse human rights impacts that may be caused in society by a company’s actions.
5. Remediation
Casio will make efforts to remedy the situation through appropriate means if Casio identifies that it has caused or contributed to adverse human rights impacts.
6. Compliance with Applicable Laws
Casio will comply with laws applicable to the countries and regions where it conducts business activities. However, in cases where the laws of a country or region conflict with the principles of internationally recognized human rights, Casio will seek ways to honor the principles of internationally recognized human rights.
7. Information Disclosure, Education and Training
Casio will report on the implementation status of its human rights initiatives in accordance with this Policy in Casio’s CSR website and sustainability report, etc. In addition, Casio will provide appropriate education and training opportunities to ensure the effectiveness of this Policy.
8. Dialogue and Discussions with Stakeholders
Casio will establish opportunities for dialogue with stakeholders and will hold discussions with stakeholders in good faith with regard to its responses to actual or potential adverse human rights impacts.
9. Key Issues Concerning Human Rights
Casio will establish key issues concerning human rights as shown in the Appendix, Key Issues Concerning Human Rights at the Casio Group, and will follow through on these issues as appropriate using the mechanism for human rights due diligence in accordance with this Policy. Furthermore, these key issues will be continually examined and revised as needed based on changes taking place in society and business trends.
Established: July 1, 2014
Revised: November 1, 2016
Kazuhiro Kashio
President and COO
Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
[Appendix]
Key Issues Concerning Human Rights at the Casio Group
(1) Elimination of discrimination
Casio will never take part in actions that harm the dignity of individuals, including all forms of discrimination and harassment.
(2) Prohibition of child labor and forced labor
Casio will never allow child labor, forced labor, slavery or human trafficking.
(3) Respect for basic labor rights
Casio will respect basic labor rights, including freedom of association, workers’ right to organize and the right of collective bargaining.
(4) Payment of appropriate wages and management of working hours
Casio will pay an appropriate wage and manage working hours properly.
(5) Respect for diversity
Casio will respect the diversity of its employees and strive to develop dynamic, energetic workplaces.
(6) Support for achieving a work-life balance
Casio recognizes the importance of its employees’ work-life balance and will strive to support employees so that they can achieve this balance.
(7) Ensure safe workplaces and support for health enhancement
Casio will strive to ensure workplaces are safe, hygienic, and comfortable, and will support the health and fitness goals of its employees.
Established: July 1, 2014
Revised: Nobember 1, 2016
*The contents of this Appendix may be revised by Casio Group companies in consideration of local laws, social customs and the nature of their businesses as long as such revisions are consistent with the original policy.
Casio also recognizes the importance of spreading the idea of respect for human rights outside its organization together with its entire supply chain. All suppliers have been made aware of Casio’s Supplier Guidelines, which clearly mandate respect for human rights and prohibit discrimination. In addition to requesting compliance, Casio strives to verify implementation using questionnaires and other means.
System
One of the material issues adopted by Casio is “Respect for Human Rights.” Initiatives in this area are led by sustainability promotion departments, human resources departments, and procurement departments. Specifically, we formulate and review human rights policy, establish a system for human rights due diligence, identify priority human rights risk issues, develop a system for addressing to consultation and reporting on human rights, educate and enlighten employees on respect for human rights, and disclose information.
Targets and Action Plan
Evaluation ◎: All targets met, ○ : Most targets met, △ : Remaining issues outweigh results, × : No progress made
FY2024 Targets and KPI | FY2024 Performance | Evaluation | FY2025 Targets and KPI |
---|---|---|---|
Implement human rights checkups and feedback at all production group companies | Implemented human rights checkups at all production group companie | △ | Implement human rights checkups and feedback at all sales group companies |
(2) Implement human rights education for Sustainability Leaders | Invited outside experts and held a seminar on the theme, “Business and Human Rights (LGBTQ and Corporations),” for Sustainably Leaders in February 2024 | ○ | (2) Implement human rights education for Sustainability Leaders |