Workplace + Supplier Code of Conduct

QEJA WORKPLACE & SUPPLIER CODE OF CONDUCT

Employment Relationship: QEJA LLC shall adopt and adhere to rules and conditions of employment that respect workers and, at a minimum, safeguard their rights under national and international labor and social security laws and regulations.

Nondiscrimination: No person shall be subject to any discrimination in employment, including hiring, compensation, advancement, discipline, termination or retirement, on the basis of gender, race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, political opinion, social group or ethnic origin.

Harassment or Abuse: Every employee shall be treated with respect and dignity. No employee shall be subject to any physical, sexual, psychological or verbal harassment or abuse.

Forced Labor: There shall be no use of forced labor, including prison labor, indentured labor, bonded labor or other forms of forced labor.

Child Labor: No person shall be employed under the age of 15 or under the age for completion of compulsory education, whichever is higher.

Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining: QEJA LLC shall recognize and respect the right of employees to freedom of association and collective bargaining.

Health, Safety, and Work Environment: QEJA LLC and its suppliers shall provide a safe and healthy workplace setting 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 employers’ facilities. QEJA LLC shall adopt responsible measures to mitigate negative impacts that the workplace has on the environment.

Hours of Work: QEJA LLC shall not require workers to work more than the regular and overtime hours allowed by the law of the country where the workers are employed. The regular work week shall not exceed 48 hours. QEJA LLC shall allow workers at least 24 consecutive hours of rest in every seven-day period. All overtime work shall be consensual. QEJA LLC shall not request overtime on a regular basis and shall compensate all overtime work at a premium rate. Other than in exceptional circumstances, the sum of regular and overtime hours in a week shall not exceed 60 hours.

Compensation: Every worker has a right to compensation for a regular work week that is sufficient to meet the worker’s basic needs and provide some discretionary income. QEJA LLC shall pay at least the minimum wage or the appropriate prevailing wage, whichever is higher, comply with all legal requirements on wages, and provide any benefits required by law or contract. Where compensation does not meet workers’ basic needs and provide some discretionary income, QEJA LLC shall work with the FLA to take appropriate actions that seek to progressively realize a level of compensation that does.

Environment:  We do business with suppliers who share our urgency for and commitment to preserving the environment. We ask all suppliers to commit to excellence in innovative technologies that reduce the impacts their manufacturing has on the environment, and favor those who invest in renewable energy and report their environmental impacts publically. Suppliers must have policies and procedures in place to manage and minimize their environmental impacts. This includes resource consumption, as well as water and air emissions. Additionally, suppliers must meet all E.U. requirements related to chemical restrictions, safely labeling, handling, and storage of approved substances while preventing or mitigating the release of chemicals and hazardous materials. All employees who handle chemicals must be adequately trained to do so. Suppliers must comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations where they do business and undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility. 

Transparency: Suppliers must be fully transparent when submitting to onsite inspections as well as maintain all accurate documentation necessary for demonstrating compliance with the Code. This includes full access to production facilities, employee records and employees for confidential interviews.

Animal Welfare: QEJA LLC does not use any animal products in our textiles. However, our Suppliers must respect and commit to promoting ethical animal welfare practices.

Traceability and Material Sourcing: Suppliers must use only designated suppliers for raw materials and components to maintain supply chain transparency. Prior written approval must be obtained before any portion of the product is vendor-sourced or substituted. QEJA LLC is committed to sourcing recycled and organic content wherever possible and choosing partners who demonstrate leadership in protecting biodiversity, land and water use, low emissions, human health and safety, and chemical management.