Over the years, the Apple Company has faced critical challenges in alignment with its adherence to the code of ethics it set forth for its suppliers. The violation of worker’s rights and engagement in child labor, coupled with poor work conditions in some of its plants are some of the aspects that have attracted high levels of criticisms. Apple has responded to these criticisms by making some changes to its supplier code of ethics. Every year, this company reports on its progress as far as adherence to specific aspects of the code of ethics are concerned. The progress reports vary from year to year in alignment with the improvements experienced in each specific aspect.
One of the changes detectable in the Apple’s code of conduct is the notion of human trafficking. Originally, the code of conduct barred the suppliers’ engagement in slavery or bonded labor. The code of conduct also barred the employees from handing over their legal documents to suppliers as a precondition for employment (Apple, 2006). In the current code of ethics, effective from 1 January 2017, the suppliers are further barred from engaging in human trafficking or recruiting employees at a fee. The notion of juvenile worker protection is added to the current code of conduct where suppliers are allowed to employ juveniles who are above the minimum legal age but aged below 18 years. Such workers shall not engage in overtime or night shift work or occupations that may adversely affect their health or morals (Apple, 2017a). The current code of conduct also stipulates ways through which suppliers should deal with student workers. These stipulations are all under the protection of human and labor rights.
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Under the health and safety category, the current code of ethics requires suppliers to obtain and adhere to the prerequisites of health and safety permits. The environmental category includes some new elements such as the management of stormwater runoff and boundary noise. The ethics category includes compliance with the C-TPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) for suppliers who engage in the transportation of Apple goods to the U.S. (Apple, 2017a).
The changes analyzed herein are critical to the partnership between Apple and its suppliers. To the suppliers, these changes demand an up-to-date mind in the contemporary way of working as well as sensitivity to worker’s rights and freedoms. The notion of terrorism is visualized in the transportation of goods, particularly for suppliers who must travel to the U.S. The implication is that suppliers must keep pace with the current developments in anti-terrorism engagements, protection of the environment, adherence to human and labor rights, and health and safety prerequisites.
Summary of Apple’s Supplier Responsible Information
In alignment with Apple’s progress reports that are produced every year, the following elements emerge as critical elements in the inner working of the company: worker’s empowerment, labor and human rights, health and safety, the environment, and accountability. Apple sensitizes its suppliers on the need to offer an education for employees who have lacked such a chance in their countries of operation. On-the-job training is also a critical endeavor in which Apple places emphasis. The company also offers a chance for its employees to advance their careers through the Supplier Employee Education and Development (SEED) program where employees are exposed to free courses to enable their exploration of new opportunities (Apple, 2016).
In alignment with labor and human rights, the Apple Company makes it known to the potential employees that one does not need to pay any recruitment fees to a supplier to land a job. Again, the company discourages child labor in its supply chain. The company also limits the working hours to 60 per week and requires every employee to be offered one day of rest in every seven days (Apple, 2016).
In alignment with health and safety standards, the company stipulates the way of handling workers’ safety and health well-being in its code of ethics. This is further emphasized in the progress reports as a way of ensuring suppliers’ compliance. Every worker must be provided with safety gadgets and also be trained on how to keep him- or herself safe (Apple, 2017b).
The environment is also a critical aspect that must be kept in mind during the supply chain endeavors. Apple sensitizes its suppliers to anticipate the reduction of green gas emissions into the environment in every undertaking. Energy efficiency and the utilization of clean, renewable energy sources are key aspects of the company’s commitments. The company also established a program aimed at reducing the carbon footprint in 2015 (Apple, 2016).
Accountability is a key attribute that enables Apple’s efficiency in working with suppliers. The company undertakes audits from time to time to ensure the suppliers’ compliance with the set standards and also identify areas of improvement. A third party is involved in the audit process to ensure credibility of the results. Suppliers must submit a report within two weeks after the audit, detailing how they intend to fix the problems identified during the audit process. A third party auditor visits the facility, 120 days after the audit, to verify the fixation of the identified problems in alignment with the supplier’s report and the standards stipulated by the company (Apple, 2016).
Changes in the Apple’s Progress Report since Last Year
One of the key changes identifiable in the Apple’s progress report is that there is emphasis on people and the environment in the current report than in the previous one. Collaboration and partnerships, employees’ safety and health well-being, employee training and empowerment, as well as eradication of slave labor are discussed as key success factors for the company. Eco-friendly endeavors are also emphasized with a focus on responsible sourcing, reduction of chemical emissions, and eradication of wastes (Apple, 2017b). The previous report placed more emphasis on people, particularly fair employment and safe working conditions.
Apple’s Supplier Code of Conduct and Social Responsibility
Generally, social responsibility comprises of concerns on people and the environment in which they dwell. Apple’s supplier code of ethics contains aspects of conduct that stipulate how a supplier should deal with people and the environment. When it comes to people, there are aspects of adhering to and respecting human and labor rights. There is also the idea of ensuring employees’ safety and health well-being as well engaging in ethical relationships. In alignment with the environment, the code of ethics contains guidelines on how to address issues of green gas emissions, storm- and waste water, noise and other environmental pollutants, as well as substances that may pose hazards to the environment. The code of conduct also offers guidelines on how to deal with regulated substances (Apple 2017a). The implication is that every way of dealing with the people or the environment is well guided by the code of conduct. The suppliers are aware of any violations that they may engage in as well as the consequences associated with such violations.
People and the planet are at the core of the moral principles that companies should promote in their corporate social responsibility endeavors. People are important because they are the resource that enable the day-to day activities of the firm. The environment is important because it is the dwelling place of the people and other critical resources needed for the full operation and sustainability of the firm. As such, Apple’s code of conduct has emphasized the welfare of these two elements, people and the planet, in an adequate manner and, therefore, can be said to be an applicable tool in encouraging social responsibility.
References
Apple, Inc. (2006). Apple supplier code of conduct. Retrieved from http://image2.sina.com.cn/IT/it/2006-06-18/U58P2T1D995340F3647DT20060618165929.pdf on 20/5/2017.
Apple , Inc. (2016). Supplier responsibility 2016 progress report. Retrieved from http://docs.dpaq.de/10595-apple_sr_2016_progress_report.pdf on 20/5/2017.
Apple, Inc. (2017a). Apple supplier code of ethics. Retrieved from https://images.apple.com/supplier-responsibility/pdf/Apple-Supplier-Code-of-Conduct-January.pdf on 20/5/2017.
Apple, Inc. (2017b). Supplier responsibility 2017 progress report. Retrieved from https://images.apple.com/supplier-responsibility/pdf/Apple-Progress-Report-2017.pdf on 20/5/2017.
