Company
ARLA
Date of signature
September 27, 2019
Signatories
International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations (IUF) General Secretary, ARLA CHRO
Key objectives
"Arla and the IUF believe that a policy of zero tolerance on sexual harassment is necessary to address sexual harassment in the workplace. Such a policy reflects the importance of health and safety at work and the need to protect the dignity and rights of all working at Arla and those in attendance on Arla’s premises. It builds on the work of Arla and the IUF on equality and diversity.
Arla and the IUF believe that concrete action is necessary to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. Arla and the IUF jointly identify the actions and best practices that must be communicated, including to IUF-affiliated organisations, to facilitate concrete action and monitoring procedures. "
Duration
Not mentioned
Implementation and dissemination
"As a means of preventing sexual harassment, Arla and the IUF commit to:
o disseminate information about this agreement and the rights and responsibilities of all working at Arla and those in attendance on Arla’s premises;
o ensure the zero tolerance policy is well communicated and that all working at Arla and those in attendance on Arla’s premises fully understand what is expected of them and know how to report instances of sexual harassment in total confidence;
o organise awareness-raising and training activities.
Arla recognises the importance of establishing a national, gender aware procedure regarding sexual harassment in the workplace, in order to report and resolve incidents of sexual harassment and allow them to be investigated and treated with confidentiality and neutrality.
Arla and the IUF commit to support any victims of proven sexual harassment. This will require specific training of the management and IUF affiliated trade union representatives…
Arla will establish the local implementation of this agreement with IUF affiliates in each country, where applicable, through a process of negotiation…
In countries where there are no IUF affiliates and Arla operates, this agreement may serve as a benchmark for implementing measures to prevent sexual harassment in line with the company’s global commitment to zero tolerance. "
Review and monitoring
"To ensure that the content of this agreement is known to local management and trade union representatives throughout Arla and that effective procedures to prevent workplace sexual harassment have been implemented, the parties shall agree to review procedures to evaluate the progress of their actions through the regular IUF-Arla meetings. "
Dispute settlement and sanctions
"Arla employees whose actions or behaviours are proven to constitute harassment/discrimination will face disciplinary action, ranging from a warning to termination, in accordance with the relevant collective bargaining agreement and/or local regulations, irrespective of his/her position in the company. It is the perpetrator who, when necessary, will be redeployed. Persons making false or malicious allegations shall also be subjected to disciplinary procedures… Arla will not tolerate any retaliation or threats against those who report incidents in relation to sexual harassment, and will take appropriate action…
Arla will respond appropriately and seek to resolve any case of sexual harassment that might arise in the framework of its relations with joint venture partners, subcontractors, suppliers or any other type of business relationship that operates within its facilities or under its brands, according to its obligations required by the due diligence principle as stipulated in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines for multinational enterprises"
Main topics
Fight against sexual harassment in the workplace