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Human Rights Policy Statement
1. Introduction
At Wouters & Hendrix we are dedicated to creating jewellery that reflects our commitment to ethical conduct and human rights. Our approach is guided by the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, and the OECD Due Diligence Guide to Corporate Social Responsibility.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all levels of Wouters & Hendrix employees including management, permanent and temporary staff, contractors, and suppliers globally. We expect our business partners and stakeholders to uphold these principles in all interactions with or on behalf of Wouters & Hendrix.
3. Our commitment to Human Rights
Wouters & Hendrix is committed to respecting human rights in all aspects of our business. Respecting human rights is essential to our mission of creating ethically crafted jewellery and sustaining our business long-term.
Wouters & Hendrix commits to:
- Respecting all internationally recognized human rights, including the rights outlined in the International Bill of Human Rights and the ILO’s core conventions.
- Promoting non-discrimination and equal opportunities. We prohibit discrimination based on race, colour, gender, age, nationality, ethnic or social origin, national extraction, religion or belief, political opinion, disability, physical characteristics, sexual orientation, or any other status.
- Ensuring safe and healthy working conditions for our employees and expecting the same from our suppliers. We have a comprehensive workplace accident prevention policy in place to minimize risks and ensure a safe working environment.
- Ensuring fair treatment at work. We are committed to providing a work environment where all employees are treated with dignity and respect.
- Upholding the freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining.
- Eliminating all forms of compulsory and child labour. We strictly prohibit any form of forced or compulsory labour, human trafficking, and slavery, as well as any use of child labour in accordance with international standards and laws both in relation to our own workforce and in relation to value chain workers.
- Being mindful of the potential impacts on vulnerable individuals and groups, including human rights defenders and Indigenous Peoples, and striving to ensure that our policies and actions do not negatively affect them.
- Providing fair wages and benefits. We are committed to paying fair wages that meet or exceed legal minimum standards and providing benefits that support the well-being of our employees.
- Respecting working hours and ensuring decent working conditions. We adhere to applicable laws regarding working hours and overtime, ensuring that our employees are not subject to excessive working hours.
- Promoting education, training, and professional development. We are dedicated to providing continuous education and training opportunities for our employees.
4. Due Diligence
To fulfil our human rights responsibilities, Wouters & Hendrix will:
- Conduct human rights impact assessments to identify, prevent, and address potential adverse impacts associated with our operations.
- Integrate human rights considerations into our business practices, decision-making, and risk management processes.
- Engage with stakeholders to understand and address their human rights concerns.
- Provide training and create awareness to ensure that all employees are aware of our human rights policy and their roles and responsibilities in upholding it.
- Engage suppliers by including human rights criteria in our supplier selection and evaluation processes and encouraging them to adopt similar principles.
- Monitor by conducting regular audits to ensure compliance with this policy and identify areas for improvement.
- Take corrective actions where human rights issues are identified, ensuring that any adverse impacts are addressed promptly and effectively.
- Collaborate with industry peers and initiatives to promote best practices and improve human rights standards across the industry.
- Report transparently on our human rights performance and progress annually.
5. Grievance Procedure
Wouters & Hendrix is committed to providing accessible channels for individuals and communities to report human rights concerns and other grievances. We have implemented a confidential and effective grievance procedure allowing employees, contractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders to report human rights violations.
Concerns can be raised by employees, suppliers, customers, or any other stakeholder via:
- Email: compliance@wouters-hendrix.com
- Telephone: +32 3 218 54 45
- Mail: Wouters & Hendrix - Compliance Department
Complaints can be submitted anonymously and will be treated with the same seriousness as those with provided contact details. Complainants are encouraged to provide supporting evidence, including records, observations, and statements of fact.
For more details on the entire procedure, please visit our Grievance Procedure page.
6. Governance
6.1. Roles & Responsibility
The Board of Directors and senior management of Wouters & Hendrix are ultimately responsible for the implementation and oversight of our Human Rights Policy. They ensure that human rights considerations are integrated into all aspects of our business operations and strategic decisions.
Specific ownership of the Human Rights Policy is assigned to the Wouters & Hendrix Compliance Department, which is accountable for ensuring its effective execution and adherence throughout the company.
All Wouters & Hendrix employees are responsible for complying with this Human Rights Policy and for reporting any potential human rights violations. Our employees are expected to be vigilant and proactive in identifying and addressing any actions or behaviours that may contradict our commitment to human rights.
6.2. Monitoring and Review
This Human Rights Policy will be monitored continuously to ensure compliance and effectiveness. We are committed to continuously improving our approach to human rights by learning from experiences, stakeholder feedback, and evolving best practices. This policy is publicly available and will be reviewed every two years to ensure its relevance and effectiveness.
6.3 Contact
The Wouters & Hendrix Compliance Department is designated as the primary contact point for all human rights-related matters. This department is responsible for addressing any concerns, questions, or reports of human rights violations. Employees, contractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders can contact the Compliance Department for information or to report a human rights concern at compliance@wouters-hendrix.com or +32 3 218 54 45.
By implementing this Governance framework, Wouters & Hendrix commits to fostering a culture of respect for human rights throughout our organization and supply chain. Respecting human rights is essential to our mission of creating ethically crafted jewellery and sustaining our business long-term. The clear assignment of ownership and accountability ensures that human rights are a central consideration in all our business activities.
Grievance Procedure
1. Introduction
At Wouters & Hendrix we are dedicated to creating jewellery that reflects our commitment to ethical conduct and human rights. We uphold the highest standards of ethical behaviour, business practices, and integrity and we do not tolerate any form of unlawful, unethical, or improper behaviour.
To support this commitment, we have implemented a confidential and effective grievance procedure. This procedure provides accessible channels for individuals and communities to report concerns related to any of our activities. It is available to employees, contractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders, ensuring that all reports can be made safely and confidentially.
Our grievance procedure includes clear guidelines for reporting and resolving concerns. It ensures that all issues are addressed transparently and consistently, offering a reliable process for resolution.
2. Scope
2.1 What concerns can be raised
This grievance procedure covers concerns related (but not limited) to the following topics:
- Employee relations including working conditions, workplace behaviour, discrimination, and harassment;
- Health and safety concerns;
- Human rights violations;
- Environmental matters;
- Compliance and legal matters including corruption and bribery, money laundering, and terrorism financing concerns;
- Supplier and contractor practices including labour practices, ethical conduct, and compliance with our human rights policy;
- Marketing claims;
- Any conduct that potentially harms Wouters & Hendrix, our employees, or a third party.
2.2 Who can raise concerns
Concerns can be raised by interested parties:
- Employees of Wouters & Hendrix
- Contractors and suppliers
- Customers
- Any other stakeholders affected by our operations
2.3 How to raise concerns
2.3.1 Reporting channels
Concerns can be raised via:
- Email: compliance@wouters-hendrix.com
- Telephone: +32 3 218 54 45
- Mail: Wouters & Hendrix - Compliance Department, Callensstraat 39A, 2600 Berchem (Antwerp), Belgium
2.3.2 Content and information
We ask you to provide as much detailed information as possible. The more information we receive, the better we can make informed and well-considered decisions. This also helps us take appropriate measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Interested parties are encouraged to use the form provided in the annex and to include supporting documentation. This may include the following information (non-exhaustive):
- Description: a clear description of the facts or examples of misbehaviour, misconduct, illegal acts, etc.
- Parties involved: the name(s) of the person(s) involved.
- Witnesses: if there are witnesses to the facts, you can provide their names and contact details.
- Timeline: a detailed timeline of the events can help us understand and investigate your report.
- Location: specify the place(s) where the facts took place, if applicable.
- Evidence: if possible, attach evidence to your report, such as documents, photos, videos, emails, or other relevant records.
3. Confidentiality
Wouters & Hendrix is committed to maintaining the confidentiality of all reports made through our grievance procedure. We understand the importance of protecting the identity and privacy of individuals who raise concerns and report potential violations.
All reports will be handled with the utmost confidentiality. The identity of the complainant and any details provided will be disclosed only to those individuals who need to know in order to investigate and resolve the concern.
4. Anonymity
Reports can be submitted anonymously. Wouters & Hendrix will treat anonymous reports with the same seriousness as those where the complainant’s identity is known. However, providing contact details can assist in the investigation process and enable a follow-up for additional information.
5. Protection against retaliation
Wouters & Hendrix strictly prohibits any form of retaliation against individuals who lawfully and in good faith raise a concern through this grievance procedure. We are committed to ensuring that no one faces adverse consequences for coming forward with a grievance.
6. Data Protection
All personal data collected through the grievance procedure will be processed in accordance with applicable data protection laws and our internal data protection policies. Information will be stored securely and only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes of this grievance procedure.
7. Procedure for handling grievance reports
7.1 Initial receipt and acknowledgement
Upon receiving a report, Wouters & Hendrix will aim to:
- Review the information and documentation received as soon as possible;
- Seek further information where possible and appropriate;
7.2 Preliminary assessment
Wouters & Hendrix will assess the eligibility of the report and, where applicable, decide how and by whom it should be handled. Where the matter cannot be handled internally, we will appoint an independent expert (such as a law firm) if possible and/or if necessary.
7.3 Investigation process
Wouters & Hendrix will:
- Assign a designated investigator to oversee the investigation process;
- Conduct a thorough investigation to gather all relevant facts and evidence;
- Ensure that all parties involved have the opportunity to provide their input and perspective;
- Maintain communication with the complainant to provide updates on the status of the investigation; only when the report is not anonymous;
- In some cases, where necessary or appropriate to the investigation, we may use a trusted and independent third party or engage an external professional advisor (such as a law firm) to assist in the investigation;
- Organize access to the details of the report for all internal and external parties, taking into account the anonymity and confidentiality of the report. Information will only be shared on a need-to-know basis;
- Ensure that the investigation is completed in a timely manner;
7.4 Resolution and corrective actions
To ensure that all grievances are resolved effectively and fairly, Wouters & Hendrix will:
- Advise and inform the complainant of our decisions or outcomes only when the report is not anonymous. This communication will include the findings of the investigation and any actions taken;
- Develop and implement corrective actions to address the issue and prevent recurrence. These actions may include changes to policies, procedures, or practices, as well as disciplinary measures if necessary;
- Conduct follow-up checks to ensure that the corrective actions have been effective. This may involve additional monitoring or further investigations if required;
- Provide support to any individuals affected by the issue, which may include counselling, mediation, or other forms of assistance as appropriate;
7.5 Record keeping
Wouters & Hendrix is committed to maintaining thorough records of all reports received and the processes followed to address them. All reports will be documented and retained for a minimum of five years from the date the report is closed. This ensures a comprehensive archive of each report, allowing for transparency and accountability. Detailed records will include the initial report, the investigation process, any findings, the final resolution, and any corrective actions taken. These records will be stored securely to protect the confidentiality of all parties involved and to comply with applicable data protection laws.
8. Governance
8.1 Roles & Responsibility
The governance of the grievance procedure at Wouters & Hendrix is overseen by the Compliance Department, which ensures that the procedure is implemented effectively and consistently across the organization.
8.2 Monitoring & Review
This grievance procedure will be monitored continuously to ensure compliance and effectiveness. This procedure is publicly available and will be reviewed every two years to ensure its relevance and effectiveness.
8.3 Contact
Employees, contractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders can contact the Wouters & Hendrix Compliance Department for information or to report a concern at compliance@wouters-hendrix.com or +32 3 218 54 45.
By maintaining robust governance over the grievance procedure, Wouters & Hendrix ensures that all grievances are handled in a fair, transparent, and effective manner, reinforcing our commitment to ethical conduct and human rights.