Basic Views
NH Foods Group recognizes that respect for human rights, a fundamental right, is an important social responsibility.
Therefore, in December 2020, we established the NH Foods Group Human Rights Policy in order to reiterate to society our approach and responsibility to respect human rights, and to put it into practice in response to society's expectations.
And we aspire to a company that is widely trusted by society through the implementation of Group-wide efforts regarding respect for human rights in line with this Human Rights Policy.
NH Foods Group Human Rights Policy
Upholding a corporate philosophy under the basic theme of “Joy of Eating,” our company creates a culture that marks an epoch and contributes to society. NH Foods Group will make efforts to address the challenges our society faces and contribute to achieve a sustainable society.
Recognizing that our business processes may have a direct or indirect effect on human rights, and to express our respect for the human rights of all the people who are involved in our business, we hereby adopt this “NH Foods Group Human Rights Policy (hereinafter referred to as the “Policy”)” and will promote initiatives to respect human rights.
- Basic PrinciplesNH Foods Group regards the “Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights” of the United Nations as a framework, and supports and respects international standards including the “International Bill of Human Rights” and the International Labor Organization’s “Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work”.
- Scope of the PolicyThe Policy is applicable to all directors, officers and employees of NH Foods Group. We will also encourage business partners of NH Foods Group to support the Policy and make efforts to respect human rights.
- Human Rights Due DiligenceNH Foods Group will strive to develop and implement a human rights due diligence system to identify negative impacts on human rights. If we identify that NH Foods Group’s practices have caused or contributed to a negative impact on human rights, we will endeavor to prevent or reduce such impacts.
- Dialogue and DiscussionNH Foods Group will seek to improve human rights measures through dialogue and discussion with relevant stakeholders.
- Education for Directors/Officers and EmployeesNH Foods Group will organize an appropriate education for its directors, officers and employees.
- Information DisclosureNH Foods Group will disclose appropriate information regarding our efforts for respecting human rights.
- Person in ChargeNH Foods Group will designate a director or an officer to be in charge of implementing the Policy and supervise its implementation.
- Position of the PolicyThe Policy will promote our efforts to respect human rights and complement the NH Foods Group Global Action Standards.
- Compliance with Applicable LawsNH Foods Group will comply with national and regional laws applicable to our operations, and if there is any discrepancy, we will pursue measures to respect the international principles of human rights.
Established on December 23, 2020
Note: This policy was established with the approval of the NH Foods Ltd. Board of Directors.
Related Policies, etc.
Promotion Systems
In fiscal 2021, NH Foods Ltd. appointed a director responsible for human rights, The Sustainability Committee (an advisory body to the Board of Directors), chaired by the Chairman of the Board, formulates human rights policies and strategies, checks the status of initiatives at each Group company, and compiles the results for submission to the Board of Directors, which is the decision-making body.
In addition, the Sustainability Department, under the leadership of the Human Resources Department and the Compliance Department, conducts internal education on human rights in cooperation with , and conducts hearings on human rights issues when the Audit Department and the Compliance Department visit business sites.
We also pay attention to human rights in the supply chain in order to build supply chain management.
Human Rights Due Diligence
Human Rights Due Diligence Initiative Cycle
P. Human Rights Impact Assessment
We conduct periodic (every three years) human rights impact assessments to identify human rights risks in all of our operations.In order to establish a human rights due diligence system, in fiscal 2022 we conducted a human rights questionnaire for each Group company and implemented a human rights impact assessment.
As a result, we identified harassment, occupational health and safety, and working hours to be high-risk areas.
We will take action against these risks.
D. Prevention and Reduction of Negative Effects
Harassment Initiatives
Ensuring that each employee acquires a proper understanding of harassment is a critical part of our efforts to further raise awareness of eliminating harassment among employees and of creating workplaces of which they can be proud.
To this end, members of each business site in Japan read NH Foods Group Harassment Prevention Handbook aloud together. The handbook has been translated into seven languages, including English and Chinese, to make it easier for foreign employees to understand.
In the event of a cases that appears to be harassment, after the Compliance Department confirms the facts, the Human Resources Department checks to see whether there is a violation of the “NH Foods Group Harassment Prevention Regulations.” If there is a violation, a proposal for disciplinary action is submitted. Details are resolved at management meetings.
The Human Resources Department shares information regarding the case and measures to prevent recurrence within the NH Foods Group, and each company works to prevent recurrence.
NH Foods Group promotes understanding of human rights issues through activities to disseminate ”Nippon Ham Group Harrasnment Prevention Handbook, which prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment.
Occupational Safety and Health Initiatives
We have established a database that allows us to share information regarding the occurrence of occupational accidents and countermeasures in a timely manner, and we are working to prevent similar accidents and horizontally deploy countermeasures. At our manufacturing plants in particular, we have introduced an occupational health and safety management system with which information on inspections, employee feedback, etc., is shared with the Health and Safety Committee, which meets on a regular basis. We also strive to prevent occupational accidents by conducting occupational health and safety training for new employees and holding study sessions for safety personnel at each business site.
Data Related to Occupational Accidents
Working Hours Initiatives
In aims of creating workplaces that balance work and life, NH Foods Group promotes approaches to work that enhance productivity.
Scaling down total working hours requires reducing scheduled work hours and overtime work, as well as increasing the use of annual paid leave.
We therefore set numerical targets for each of these and review their progress.
As a means of preventing long working hours by Group employees, we monitor overtime work at each company on a regular basis and alert business sites at risk of experiencing long working hours.
In addition, we have introduced flextime and telecommuting systems as measures to enhance productivity, through which we encourage flexible working styles.
At the same time, we are revising business flows, and conducting training programs to improve productivity.
NH Foods Ltd. uses an attendance system to manage working hours, holidays, and vacations for all employees on a daily basis. In addition, labor and management work in unison as part of an effort to reduce employee working hours. This effort is made through company-wide working hours committees and time management meetings periodically held by individual departments.
C. Monitoring
The Compliance and Audit Departments conduct interviews on human rights issues, prioritizing visits to sites with issues and high levels of risk.
NH Foods Group is monitoring the human rights risks with respect to its human rights risk initiatives in cooperation with the relevant committees and departments in charge.
The Risk Management Committee monitors the occurrence of risks identified as company-wide risks.
The Compliance Department conducts hearings on human rights issues by visiting, on a priority basis if necessary, business sites that have or are at high risk of having compliance problems.
The Audit Department conducts a comprehensive risk approach to all companies and business sites based on the evaluation of the Risk Management Committee, and conducts audits according to the degree of risk.
A. Information Disclosure
In accordance with the NH Foods Group Human Rights Policy, we disclose the progress of our efforts to address negative impacts on human rights through our website, integrated reports, etc.
Human Rights Education and Training
Overall Education (Human Rights-Related Education and Training)
The NH Foods Group Global Action Standards (Japanese version) stipulates respect for basic human rights and prohibits discrimination or harassment based on gender, age, nationality, religion, creed, social status, disability, etc. These standards are regularly read through at each business site in an effort to instill the philosophy of respect for human rights among all employees.
In addition, in training programs for new employees and managers at various levels, we have incorporated a program to learn the necessity of respecting human rights under the theme of Business and Human Rights.
NH Foods Group Action Standards (Japan edition)
Individual Risk Training (Harassment, etc.)
Harassment is an individual risk for each company. In order to further strengthen risk reduction, we also provide education for management.
Relief Mechanisms
In order to address human rights issues promptly and appropriately, our Group has established multiple consultation channels.
To protect the privacy of the caller, we also accept anonymous consultations.