Human Rights Statement and Policy
HUMAN RIGHTS STATEMENT AND POLICY
Novomins is committed to respecting, protecting and promoting internationally recognised human rights throughout its operations, business relationships and supply chain.
SECTION 1 – POLICY STATEMENT
The purpose of this Policy is to establish the Company's commitment to conducting business in a manner that upholds the dignity, freedom, equality and fundamental rights of all people who may be affected by our activities.
Human rights are inherent rights to which every person is entitled regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, belief, political opinion, social origin, marital status or any other status protected by law.
This Policy applies to all directors, employees, contractors, consultants, agency workers, suppliers, manufacturers, service providers and other business partners acting on behalf of or providing services to Novomins.
SECTION 2 – COMMITMENT
Novomins supports and respects internationally recognised human rights principles, including those contained within:
- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR);
- The International Labour Organisation (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work;
- The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights; and
- Applicable labour, employment and human rights legislation in the countries in which we operate.
As a minimum, Novomins is committed to:
a) Freedom of association and collective bargaining
The Company respects the right of workers to join, form or choose not to join lawful worker representative organisations, trade unions or employee representative bodies without fear of discrimination, intimidation, retaliation or harassment.
Where workers are represented by legally recognised representatives, the Company is committed to maintaining constructive dialogue and engaging in good faith.
b) Elimination of forced labour and modern slavery
The Company prohibits all forms of forced labour, compulsory labour, debt bondage, modern slavery, human trafficking and any other form of exploitation.
Employment must always be freely chosen and workers must be free to leave their employment in accordance with applicable contractual and legal requirements.
c) Elimination of Child Labour
The Company prohibits the use of child labour and will comply with all applicable minimum age requirements and legal protections for young workers.
d) Elimination of Discrimination
The Company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a workplace free from unlawful discrimination.
Employment-related decisions, including recruitment, promotion, remuneration, development opportunities, performance management and termination of employment, will be based on legitimate business and performance considerations.
e) Safe, healthy and respectful working environment
The Company is committed to providing a workplace that promotes the physical and psychological wellbeing of workers.
The Company does not tolerate harassment, bullying, victimisation, violence, intimidation or any other conduct that undermines the dignity and wellbeing of individuals.
SECTION 3 – HUMAN RIGHTS RESPONSIBILITIES
a) Employees
Novomins aims to:
- Respect and protect the human rights of all employees.
- Promote dignity, fairness and respect in the workplace.
- Provide equal opportunity and fair treatment.
- Support employee wellbeing and mental health.
- Provide mechanisms through which employees may raise concerns without fear of retaliation.
- Ensure employment practices are conducted in accordance with applicable labour legislation and internationally recognised human rights principles.
b) Suppliers, contractors and business partners
Novomins recognises that its responsibility extends beyond its direct workforce and into its value chain.
The Company aims to:
- Consider human rights risks when selecting and engaging suppliers, contractors and service providers.
- Encourage suppliers and business partners to uphold internationally recognised human rights standards.
- Seek to identify and address actual and potential human rights risks within its supply chain.
- Avoid knowingly engaging with organisations involved in forced labour, child labour, modern slavery or serious human rights violations.
c) Communities
Novomins aims to:
- Respect the cultures, customs, values and rights of the communities in which it operates.
- Contribute positively to social, environmental and economic wellbeing where reasonably possible.
- Engage openly and respectfully with relevant stakeholders.
- Promote responsible business practices that support sustainable development.
d) Society
Novomins aims to:
- Conduct business ethically, responsibly and transparently.
- Support the promotion and protection of human rights through its business activities.
- Comply with applicable laws and regulations.
- Promote environmental and social sustainability through responsible business practices.
- Support initiatives that contribute positively to society where appropriate.
SECTION 4 – HUMAN RIGHTS IN PROCUREMENT AND SUPPLIER SELECTION
Novomins recognises that procurement decisions can have significant actual and potential impacts on workers and communities throughout the supply chain.
The Company is committed to considering human rights impacts when making significant procurement decisions, including the appointment, renewal, review and selection of suppliers, manufacturers, contractors, service providers and business partners.
Where appropriate and proportionate, the Company will consider factors including:
- Forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking risks;
- Child labour risks;
- Fair wages and working conditions;
- Working hours and labour practices;
- Health and safety standards;
- Equality, diversity and non-discrimination practices;
- Freedom of association and collective bargaining rights where legally permitted;
- Human rights risks associated with specific countries, regions or industries;
- Any known human rights allegations, investigations or violations associated with the supplier.
The Company will seek to identify, assess and mitigate material human rights risks associated with procurement decisions and supply chain activities.
At a minimum, the Company will review and document the actual and potential human rights impacts associated with its most material procurement decisions annually.
Where material risks are identified, the Company may implement mitigation measures, require corrective actions, increase monitoring activities or reconsider the business relationship.
SECTION 5 – REPORTING CONCERNS
All employees, contractors, suppliers and stakeholders are encouraged to report actual or suspected human rights concerns.
Concerns may be raised through:
- Management;
- Human Resources;
- The Grievance Procedure;
- The Novomins Whistleblower Policy, which may be used to report actual or suspected human rights violations, unethical conduct, modern slavery concerns or other human rights-related risks (See Whistleblower reporting form here: Whistleblower Reporting Form); or
- Any other approved reporting mechanism.
Reports made in good faith will be treated confidentially where possible and investigated appropriately. Human rights concerns may also be reported in accordance with the Novomins Whistleblower Policy. Individuals who raise concerns in good faith through the Whistleblower Policy will be protected from retaliation, victimisation or adverse treatment, and concerns will be investigated in accordance with the procedures set out in that Policy.
The Company prohibits retaliation against any person who raises a concern or participates in an investigation in good faith.
SECTION 6 – IMPLEMENTATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY
- The successful implementation of this Policy requires commitment from all levels of the organisation.
- The Board of Directors is the ultimate governing body responsible for oversight of the Company's human rights commitments and for the annual review and approval of this Policy. Senior Leadership is responsible for implementing the Policy and ensuring appropriate operational accountability across the organisation.
- Managers are responsible for promoting compliance within their areas of responsibility.
- Employees are expected to act in a manner consistent with this Policy and to raise concerns where they become aware of potential human rights violations.
- The Company will periodically review this Policy and its associated practices to ensure ongoing effectiveness and alignment with evolving legal, social and business expectations.
SECTION 7 – HUMAN RIGHTS STATEMENT
- Novomins is committed to fostering a culture that respects and supports internationally recognised human rights.
- We recognise that our responsibilities extend beyond compliance with legal requirements and include promoting dignity, fairness, equality and respect for all individuals affected by our business activities.
- Through our employment practices, procurement decisions, stakeholder engagement and business operations, we strive to identify, prevent and mitigate actual and potential human rights impacts and to contribute positively to the wellbeing of our workers, communities and society.
We expect all persons acting on behalf of Novomins, including employees, contractors, suppliers and business partners, to uphold the principles contained within this Policy and to support our commitment to responsible and ethical business conduct.
APPROVAL AND GOVERNANCE
This Human Rights Statement and Policy has been reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors of Innocent Health Ltd t/a Novomins. The Board serves as the Company's ultimate governing body and is responsible for providing oversight of the Company's human rights commitments and ensuring that this Policy is reviewed on at least an annual basis.
