For four years, Under Armour has partnered with Labor Solutions to enhance its suppliers' due diligence processes and human resource management. The program currently reaches over 61,000 workers across seven countries.
Expanding Reach and Ensuring Worker Participation:
Under Armour’s commitment to responsible business practices is evident in its widespread engagement. Using Labor Solutions' WOVO platform over 50,550 workers (83% of the total workforce) have downloaded the WOVO app to amplify their voice and engagement. These tools empower workers by giving them a platform to voice their concerns, participate in surveys, and stay informed about workplace conditions. The annual Worker Voice survey, conducted via WOVO Engage, is a cornerstone of this initiative, ensuring that worker feedback is continually integrated into decision-making processes.
One System for Several Brands-- Reducing Duplication Increasing Engagement
Under Armour shares several of these suppliers with other Labor Solutions’ clients. All of the brand clients are able to get supplier data directly from global dashboards and use the data to support their sustainability and due diligence requirements. Suppliers no longer need to repeat programs or data submission to different brands.
A History of Commitment: The Worker Voice Program
In 2020, Under Armour took a pivotal step in protecting the rights and well-being of workers by developing the Worker Voice Program in partnership with Labor Solutions. This program was designed to connect factories with third-party hotlines and survey providers, creating a robust system to handle grievances and collect anonymous survey data on workplace conditions directly and confidentially from workers. The insights gained from these hotlines and surveys have since become integral to suppliers’ due diligence processes and human resource management systems.
Through this program, Under Armour also gained vital visibility into anonymous grievances via the WOVO dashboard. This tool allows the company to monitor trends at the factory level and proactively assist suppliers in making necessary improvements. By integrating these insights into its oversight, Under Armour has reinforced its commitment to fostering safe and respectful working environments.
This partnership covers factories across seven countries: Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, El Salvador, Jordan, China, and Cambodia. By leveraging WOVO’s tools, Under Armour can address the unique challenges and opportunities in each region, ensuring that worker feedback is not only heard but acted upon. The integration of local context into these tools is essential for understanding and addressing region-specific risks, thereby ensuring more tailored and effective interventions.
Looking Ahead
Building on the success of the current program, the focus for the next financial year will be on strengthening existing factories and expanding the scope of the initiative to address critical issues such as gender empowerment, Gender-Based Violence and Harassment (GBVH), and mental health. These areas have been identified as pivotal to improving overall worker wellbeing and ensuring a safer, more inclusive work environment.
Under Armour’s partnership with Labor Solutions marks a significant advancement in the company’s efforts to ensure ethical practices throughout its supply chain. By empowering workers, enhancing transparency, and addressing key social issues, this collaboration sets a new standard for corporate responsibility in the apparel industry. As the initiative progresses, the continued focus on expanding worker engagement and addressing critical human rights issues will undoubtedly lead to more sustainable and equitable outcomes for all stakeholders involved.
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