Human rights

Our approach to due diligence is informed by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Due diligence in each focus area is typically exercised in countries, where there may be a risk of impact to people and is supported by those working within the applicable Functions in Shell.

Provision of access to remedy for community members is facilitated though our Community Feedback Mechanisms, which are available at all major operations and projects to receive, track and respond to questions and complaints. Shell employees, contractors and any third party can report concerns and any potential breaches of the Code of Conduct confidentially and anonymously through several channels, including our Global Helpline, which is operated by an independent provider and available in 14 languages, 24 hours, every day. Shell has specialists who investigate concerns or allegations about a breach of our Code of Conduct. If a violation is confirmed, the local operating company will decide on the action or actions to be taken.

We have integrated our human rights approach into our existing business systems and processes. In each of the four identified priority areas we have systems in place to identify potential impacts and to avoid and mitigate them. For example, our HSSE & SP Control Framework contains our mandatory standards, and accompanying manuals determine out how we identify, assess, and manage our impacts on communities where we operate – including any impact on human rights.

Shell has a cross-functional Human Rights Working Group to advice and support the implementation of and review of our approach to human rights. This group has representatives from all our focus areas, various experts from across the company, and uses Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) and IPIECA as an external advisor. Throughout the year the working group discusses the company’s performance within the focus areas and key developments and improvement opportunities. A Steering Committee composed by senior executives oversees the work of the human rights working group.

The Safety, Environment and Sustainability Committee (SESCo) – one of the committees of the board – has the responsibility to review the standards, policies and conduct of the Company relating to the application of the Shell General Business Principles including Sustainable Development, and review the effectiveness of the compliance programme, including compliance with the Code of Conduct which includes Shell’s responsibility to respect human rights.

The overall accountability for sustainability within Shell lies with the Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Committee.

Keeping our employees and contractors safe and well is our top priority, no matter where they are working. Thousands of our contractors work on construction sites away from home – good working and living conditions help to bring about a safer and more productive working environment.

Since 2014 we have been implementing our Accommodation and Welfare Guide, which provides guidance on the living conditions for employees and contractors who work away from home. This helps to establish a consistent standard for people who build our facilities around the world.

We also make sure that any employee or contractor working for Shell has access to medical expertise within four hours from where they work – no matter how remote their work location may be. This is possible using advanced telemedicine technology. 

We support the Building Responsibly Worker Welfare Principles and integrate these into our engagement with contractors to further their implementation throughout the industry. The principles aim to establish a global baseline in areas such as labour practices, living and working conditions and grievances.