The Equality and Human Rights Commission has today published a guide to help company directors show leadership in ensuring their businesses respect human rights...

Companies can have a substantial impact on human rights. Objectionable practices – like forced labour within their supply chain, breaches of privacy and environmental pollution harming people's health – can be very damaging. A negative human rights impact puts companies at risk of legal and reputational repercussions, locally and globally.

...[B]usinesses have a lot to gain by demonstrating a strong commitment to human rights. Companies with a culture of respect for human rights become desirable brands, investments and employers. Savvy consumers may be more inclined to do business with a company which takes steps to safeguard basic rights...

The guide sets out five steps which boards of directors...should follow to ensure their companies identify, mitigate and report on the human rights impact of their activities. The guide also gives advice on how directors can help their companies to comply with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights...

The guide encourages companies to undertake 'human rights due diligence'...