The United Nations Global Compact has unveiled a new self-assessment tool designed to help businesses identify and address workplace discrimination, as part of efforts to promote corporate responsibility in human rights and diversity.
The Non-Discrimination and Equality Analysis Tool provides companies with a structured and confidential method for evaluating their progress in promoting inclusive and equitable practices across 13 key performance areas. It enables organizations to pinpoint gaps, monitor progress, and embed equality policies across operations.
The initiative comes as the private sector faces growing expectations to play a larger role in meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Fundamental Human Right
Equality in the workplace is considered both a core human right and a business imperative, according to the UN Global Compact.
“Companies have both a responsibility and a powerful opportunity to foster workplaces where everyone can thrive — regardless of race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or background,” said Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and executive director of the UN Global Compact. “This tool will help companies assess where they stand and what more they can do to embed non-discrimination and equality in their culture and operations.”
Business Case for Equality
The UN initiative cites research showing that companies with diverse leadership and inclusive policies outperform peers in innovation, employee satisfaction, and financial returns.
Ensuring equal opportunity can also enhance employer branding and talent acquisition, it said.
The tool is designed to help companies align with international human rights standards and legal frameworks, while also unlocking the benefits of diversity in the workplace.
While this tool primarily focuses on non-discrimination and equality in the workplace, it does not address these aspects in relation to broader aspects of business operations, such as product or service design, delivery and marketing.
Free Access for Businesses
The Non-Discrimination and Equality Analysis Tool is available at no cost to all companies and can be accessed via the UN Global Compact’s digital platforms.
With more than 20,000 participating companies and operations in over 85 countries, the UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative.
It promotes business alignment with ten principles covering human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption, as well as broader efforts to deliver the SDGs.
