Code of Conduct for Florida Atlantic University Licensees

The Florida Atlantic University is committed to conducting its business affairs in a socially-responsible and ethical manner. As part of that commitment, the University expects each Licensee of Florida Atlantic University to recognize its responsibilities to employees for the conditions under which its licensed products and/or services are made. Employees producing and/or assembling products or services manufactured, sold, or distributed by a Licensee must be provided with decent working conditions and must be treated with dignity and respect. In order to attain these goals, the University has implemented the following Code of Conduct as part of its licensing agreements. Licensees are required to adhere to, at a minimum, the principles and standards set forth in the Code. Each Licensee is also responsible for requiring that its contractors, subcontractors and primary suppliers adhere to these principles and standards as well. The University expects Licensees to assist in educating their employees regarding the standards set forth in this Code of Conduct.

I. Introduction

Florida Atlantic University ("FAU") is committed to conducting their business affairs in a socially responsible and ethical manner consistent with their respective educational, research and/or service missions, and to protecting and preserving the global environment.

While FAU believe that Licensees share this commitment, FAU has adopted the following Code of Conduct (the “Code”) which requires that all Licensees, at a minimum, adhere to the principles set forth in the Code.

Throughout the Code the term “Licensee” shall include all persons or entities which have entered into a written “License Agreement” with FAU to manufacture “Licensed Articles and/or Products" (as that term is defined in the License Agreement) bearing the names, trademarks and/or images of the University. The term “Licensee” shall for purposes of the Code, and unless otherwise specified in the Code, encompass all of Licensees’ contractors, subcontractors or manufacturers which produce, assemble or package finished Licensed Articles for the consumer.

II. Standards

  1. Licensees agree to operate work places and contract with companies whose work places adhere to the standards and practices described below. FAU prefers that Licensees exceed these standards.
  2. Legal Compliance: Licensees must comply with all applicable legal requirements of the country(ies) of manufacture in conducting business related to or involving the production or sale of Licensed Articles. Where there are differences or conflicts with the Code and the laws of the country(ies) of manufacture, the higher standard shall prevail, subject to the following considerations. In countries where law or practice conflicts with these labor standards, Licensees agree to consult with governmental, human rights, labor and business organizations and to take effective actions as evaluated by FAU or their designee, and the applicable Licensee(s) to achieve full compliance with each of these standards. Licensees further agree to refrain from any actions that would diminish the protections of these labor standards.
  3. Employment Standards: Licensees shall comply with the following standards:

 

  1. Wages and Benefits: Licensees recognize that wages are essential to meeting employees’ basic needs. Licensees shall pay employees, as a floor, wages and benefits which comply with all applicable laws and regulations, and which provide for essential needs and establish a dignified living wage for workers and their families. [A living wage is a “take home” or “net” wage, earned during a country’s legal maximum work week, but not more than 48 hours. A living wage provides for the basic needs (housing, energy, nutrition, clothing, health care, education, potable water, childcare, transportation and savings) of an average family unit of employees in the garment manufacturing employment sector of the country divided by the average number of adult wage earners in the family unit of employees in the garment manufacturing employment sector of the country.]
  2. Working Hours: Hourly and/or quota-based wage employees shall (i) not be required to work more than the lesser of (a) 48 hours per week or (b) the limits on regular hours allowed by the law of the country of manufacture, and (ii) be entitled to at least one day off in every seven day period, as well as holidays and vacations.
  3. Overtime Compensation: All overtime hours must be worked voluntarily by employees. In addition to their compensation for regular hours of work, hourly and/or quota-based wage employees shall be compensated for overtime hours at such a premium rate as is legally required in the country of manufacture or, in those countries where such laws do not exist, at a rate at least one and one-half their regular hourly compensation rate.
  4. Child Labor: Licensees shall not employ any person at an age younger than 15 (or 14, where, consistent with International Labor Organization practices for developing countries, the law of the country of manufacture allows such exception). Where the age for completing compulsory education is higher than the standard for the minimum age of employment stated above, the higher age for completing compulsory education shall apply to this section. Licensees agree to consult with governmental, human rights, and nongovernmental organizations, and to take reasonable steps as evaluated by FAU or their designee, and the applicable Licensee(s) to minimize the negative impact on children released from employment as a result of implementation or enforcement of the Code.
  5. Forced Labor: There shall not be any use of forced prison labor, indentured labor, bonded labor or other forced labor.
  6. Health and Safety: Licensees shall provide a safe and healthy working environment to prevent accidents and injury to health arising out of, linked with, or occurring in the course of work or as a result of the operation of Licensee facilities. In addition, Licensees must comply with the following provisions:
    1. The Licensee shall ensure that its direct operations and those of any subcontractors comply with all workplace safety and health regulations established by the national government where the production facility is located.
    2. The Licensee shall ensure that its direct operations and subcontractors comply with all health and safety conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO) ratified and adopted by the country in which the production facility is located.
  7. Nondiscrimination: No person shall be subject to any discrimination in employment, including hiring, salary, benefits, advancement, discipline, termination or retirement, on the basis of gender, race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, political opinion, or social or ethnic origin.
  8. Harassment or Abuse: Every employee shall be treated with dignity and respect. No employee shall be subject to any physical, sexual, psychological, or verbal harassment or abuse. Licensees will not use or tolerate any form of corporal punishment.
  9. Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining: Licensees shall recognize and respect the right of employees to freedom of association and collective bargaining. No employee shall be subject to harassment, intimidation or retaliation in their efforts to freely associate or bargain collectively. Licensees shall not cooperate with governmental agencies and other organizations that use the power of the State to prevent workers from organizing a union of their choice. Licensees shall allow union organizers free access to employees. Licensees shall recognize the union of the employees’ choice.

FAU will continue to monitor these issues and will promote studies that examine conditions and factors related to minimum and prevailing wages and employees’ basic needs.