Page 8 - midJersey Business - May 2015

News Desk

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN MID-JERSEY BUSINESS

SURVEY SAYS

Driving Change

HUMAN RIGHTS OF HIGH

MPORTANCE FOR BUSINESSES
I
A
AND STAKEHOLDERS

large majority of executives (83 percent) believe

that human rights is not only a central theme at
the government level but also a major topic of

focus for businesses, according to a new report
by The Economist Intelligence Unit. The Road

From Principle to Practice: Today’s Challenges
for Business in Respecting Human Rights draws on two main

sources for its research and findings: a global online survey of
over 850 respondents, of which nearly half are c-level executives

or board members; and nine in-depth interviews with indepen-
dent experts, including human rights specialists.

Seventy-one percent of business leaders said their firm’s re-
sponsibility to respect human rights goes beyond mere obedience

to local laws. Corporate attitudes are evolving quickly, with 44
percent of respondents stating that human rights are an issue on

which CEOs take the lead, and companies are integrating human

rights considerations into their policymaking. However, only 22
percent of respondents said they have a publicly available human

rights policy.
The responses indicate that companies do not see a business

case focused on immediate costs and benefits for human rights
but rather see respecting human rights as a leading driver in 83%

building good relationships with local communities (48 percent);
protecting the company’s brand and reputation (43 percent); and

serving moral/ethical considerations (41 percent).

of executives

believe human
rights should be a

focus for business

6 business.com
midJersey