Transparency and responsibility
Boldstance® is a sportswear company that prioritises ethical trading practices. Boldstance® focus on fair labour, supply chain transparency, sustainable materials, ethical sourcing, eco-friendly production, social responsibility, fair pricing, animal welfare, labour rights advocacy, certification, consumer education, and continuous improvement. Boldstance® is dedicated to making a positive impact on society and the environment while providing customers with ethically-produced running shoes options.
Ethical trading policy
- Workers are free to choose where they work.
- Forced/bonded labour or involuntary prison labour is not acceptable.
- Workers must be free to leave their employer after reasonable notice.
- It is not acceptable for employees to have to lodge identity papers or “deposits” with their employer.
- All workers are allowed to join or form Trade Unions, and to bargain collectively.
- All workers, regardless of Union status are treated fairly and are not discriminated against.
- All employers must adopt a fair and open attitude to the activities of Trade Unions.
- Should local law restrict access to collective bargaining and freedom of association, employers must allow independent and free association and bargaining.
- A safe and hygienic working environment must be provided.
- Where specific hazards are inherent to the industry, the employer must guarantee the safety of the employee is ensured.
- Employers must take adequate and appropriate steps to prevent accidents by minimising wherever possible the cause of such hazards.
- All workers shall receive regular and recorded health and safety training.
- All new workers will receive recorded health and safety training.
- All workers shall have access to clean toilet facilities.
- All workers shall have access to potable water, and where appropriate storage facilities for food shall be provided.
- Where provided, accommodation shall meet the basic needs of the workers and shall be clean and safe.
- A senior member of management shall be responsible for Health and Safety.
- There shall be no recruitment of Child Labour.
- Wages shall always be enough to meet basic needs and provide some discretionary income.
- Wages and benefits paid shall meet, at a minimum, national legal standards or the industry benchmark- whichever is higher.
- Before commencing employment, all workers shall be provided with written and understandable information about their employment conditions with respect to their wages.
- All workers shall be given information about the particulars of their wages for the pay period concerned each time that they are paid.
- Disciplinary deductions from wages are not acceptable.
- Deductions from wages for amounts not provided for by national law are not acceptable without the express permission of the worker concerned.
- All disciplinary measures shall be recorded.
- Working laws shall comply with national laws and industry benchmark standards, whichever gives the worker greater protection.
- Workers shall not, on a regular basis, work more than 48 hours per week.
- All workers shall be provided with at least one day off for every seven-day period.
- Overtime shall be voluntary and not exceed 12 hours per week.
- Overtime shall not be demanded on a regular basis.
- No discrimination shall be practiced in hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, termination or retirement based on race, caste, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender, marital basis, sexual orientation, union membership or political affiliation.
- Employers must, unless unavoidable, provide regular employment based on a recognised employment relationship established through national law and practice.
- Employers shall not avoid providing regular employment by means of labour- only when contracting, sub-contracting or home working arrangements.
- Where an apprenticeship is provided there must be intent to impart skills.
- Employers shall avoid regular/excessive use of fixed term contracts of employment.
- The employer shall not use physical abuse or discipline.
- The threat of physical abuse, sexual or other harassment, verbal abuse or other forms of intimidation shall be prohibited.
- Boldstance® recognises that its business activities can have an impact on the environment. As a business we are committed to ensuring that wherever possible we will work to reduce this impact.
- Boldstance® will develop a programme to work towards the continuous improvement of the environmental policy by developing management systems to reduce the impact of its activities on the environment. Below is the outline of the environmental code of practice that is currently being developed by Boldstance®.
- When placing business Ethical trading policy Boldstance® will consider the environmental aspects of the orders by taking into account the whole of the supply chain for that particular product.
- The end use of all products, and the product lifestyle will be considered when confirming product orders. This will include components used in the manufacture of the products, and the manufacturing processes used for components along with final product manufacture.
- The environmental effect of packaging used in product manufacture, storage and transport will be considered when agreeing specifications and delivery methods.
- Product disposal in terms of damaged, returned, stock and samples will be conducted along environmentally approved methods.
- Where possible, other waste disposal will be conducted along environmentally approved principles.
- Specialist advice will be sought where product disposal involves chemical or hazardous substances.
- Where possible, energy efficient products will be used.