TMU CSR Institute zoom session: Understanding the Fair Labor Association's (FLAs) Accreditation Approach

Date: September 18, 2023
Time: 12:00 PM EDT - 1:30 PM EDT

To view a video recording of this session, click HERE.

To view a PDF of Sif Thorgeirsson's presentation, click (PDF file) HERE.

The Institute for the Study of Corporate Social Responsibility at Toronto Metropolitan University*(TMU) is pleased to present an online interactive zoom session, Understanding the Fair Labor Association's Accreditation Approach: A Zoom Chat with FLA's Sif Thorgeirsson, on Monday, September 18, from 12 noon to 1:30 pm, Toronto time (details below).

To register (no cost, everyone welcome) click HERE (external link) then press the "register" button.

To access the zoom on Monday, September 18 at 12 noon (Toronto time), click HERE (external link) to patch in for the live session. This session is exclusively a zoom event: there is no in-person component.

Information will be provided during the session re: how to submit questions.

About the Fair Labor Association (external link) (FLA)

The FLA is a multistakeholder (business, universities/colleges, civil society organizations) non-profit collaborative that was established in 1999 and evolved out of a task force created by President Bill Clinton following a series of child labor and other sweatshop scandals involving major apparel and footwear brands.

Firms that join the FLA commit to upholding the FLA Workplace (PDF file) Code of Conduct (external link) , which draws on ILO standards and internationally accepted good labor practices. FLA accredited firms must establish internal systems for monitoring workplace conditions and maintaining code standards throughout their supply chains by implementing FLA’s (PDF file) Principles of Fair Labor and Responsible Sourcing (external link) . The FLA conducts independent assessments of its members' factories around the world to evaluate compliance of all code elements and verify companies' internal compliance efforts.

FLA members are responsible for working with their suppliers following an assessment to develop a corrective action plan (CAP) to address any violations of the code and for conducting follow-up visits to ensure the plan is implemented. The FLA also conducts follow-up visits for a select group of assessments to verify the actions taken by the FLA member and supplier. Results of factory assessments are posted on the FLA website, as well as the actions plans that FLA-affiliated companies develop with their suppliers to correct any issues that are found. The FLA also promotes a complaint channel for third parties in cases where there is a persistent or serious labor violation in a production facility used by any FLA-member company, and where other grievance mechanisms or lack of procedures have failed workers. When merited, the FLA oversees independent investigations and remediation for any violations found.

About Sif Thorgeirsson

Sif Thorgeirsson is the Senior Director of Investigations and Engagement at Fair Labor Association, providing oversight and management of FLA's grievance mechanism, and providing strategic direction and supervision of FLA's Collegiate Program. Prior to that she was Manager for the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre's Corporate Legal Accountability Program -- a global hub on corporate legal accountability for human rights abuses. With over fifteen years’ experience as an attorney in business and human rights and corporate responsibility, she has a global understanding of the intersection between business and human rights, particularly in the areas of labor rights, ESG, human rights due diligence, human rights policies, sustainability, grievance mechanisms, and legal accountability for businesses accused of human rights abuses.

Moderator

Moderating the session will be Dr. Kernaghan Webb, Director of the Toronto Metropolitan University CSR Institute and a Law and Business professor in TMU's Ted Rogers School of Management.

The talk is co-sponsored by the TMU Corporate Social Responsibility Student Association, and the TMU Law and Business Student Association.

--------