Respecting human rights
Zurich strives to ensure respect for human rights, at all levels of the business.
Our commitment to respect human rights is part of our Group’s code of conduct.
We respect the protection of international human rights within our sphere of influence and will work hard to avoid being complicit in human rights abuses.
The Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) is committed to fair and responsible business and prohibits all forms of bribery and corruption, as well as any business conduct that could create the appearance of improper influence.
When interacting with customers, employees, shareholders, suppliers, the public at large or any other stakeholder, we aim to promote the following international best-practice standards to manage potential adverse human rights impacts:
- Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Implementing the United Nations ‘Protect, Respect and Remedy’ Framework
- OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
- United Nations Global Compact
By signing the UN Global Compact in 2011, we committed to aligning our strategy, culture and day-to-day operations with the Global Compact’s 10 universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption.
We pay special attention to transactions that might contravene human rights and forced labor. These are six of the 10 UN Global Compact principles which relate to human rights.
Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and
make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.
Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labor;
the effective abolition of child labor; and
the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation
Applicability of our code of conduct
Our code applies to everyone at Zurich and its subsidiaries worldwide, including board members and employees including management. Regardless of our role, responsibilities or where we are located in the world, we each do our part to consider the code and related policies as we go about our daily activities and decisions. We endeavor to work with third parties such as consultants, advisers, suppliers and agents who share our values, and we expect our business partners to adhere to the spirit of our code and embrace high standards of business conduct.
Our responsibility as insurer
Zurich supports many sectors of the economy through its insurance and investment activities. As part of our work with customers to help them manage sustainability risks, Zurich uses a three-step approach that systematically detects, assesses, and mitigates major environmental, social and ethical risks that are inherent in specific business transactions. We pay special attention to transactions that might contravene human rights and forced labor prohibitions. These are transactions that could:
- Contribute to human rights abuses such as relocation of local communities without due process, inappropriate use of force or adverse impacts on vulnerable indigenous people. These violations can include, but are not limited to, the right of free, prior and informed consent for Indigenous Peoples (FPIC).
- Support regimes, governments, government officials or other politically exposed persons in countries with poor governance (for example failed states, conflict or war zones, and ineffective rule of law) or poor human rights records.
- Enable harmful child labor, forced labor, poor health and safety conditions and unfair remuneration.
