Human rights

Respect for human rights is deeply ingrained in our culture. Within our own business, our approach to managing and assuring human rights is derived from the 3M Code of Conduct, which recognizes the right of 3M workers to have a respectful workplace.

Our Human Rights Policy applies to all employees, contingent and contracted workers, candidates for hire, anyone doing business with or on behalf of 3M, and others acting on 3M’s behalf.

In 2014, we became a United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) participant, committing to align our operations and strategies with the UNGC principles on business and human rights. We support its “protect, respect, and remedy” framework and its principles of due diligence. Furthermore, the 3M Code of Conduct and its underlying principles require compliance with all applicable laws and also require respect for internationally recognized human rights in all global operations.

We also recognize the International Labour Organization (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. Adopted in 1998, the declaration commits member states to respect and promote principles and rights in four categories, whether or not they have ratified the relevant conventions: freedom of association and elimination of discrimination in employment and occupation, the right to collective bargaining, the elimination of forced or compulsory labor, and the abolition of child labor.

Proud to be signatories of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), we align our operations and strategies with the UNGC principles on business and human rights.

3M continues to support several external human rights charters. These include:
 

• United Nations Global Compact
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• European Convention on Human Rights
• United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
• International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) — Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, including OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas
• United Nations Convention against Corruption

We provide training globally to ensure that 3M employees understand the requirement to comply with the law, 3M’s Code of Conduct, supporting policies, standards, and procedures, including human rights.

We continue to implement our human rights program through our global policies, management system, assessments, audits, training, and, ultimately, our metrics tracking. Our audit process provides us with a global perspective over all of our sites and our supply chain.

When concerns related to human rights, labor practices, environmental, or safety issues arise, our employees and people who interact with 3M are encouraged to raise questions or report misconduct or potential misconduct and can do so anonymously where local law permits, such as through 3MEthics.com (for anonymity).