London – The Ethical Supply Chain Program (ESCP) is proud to announce the release of its 2024 Worker Well-Being Impact Report, showcasing the remarkable progress made in improving the lives of workers and their families in key sourcing countries. The report underscores the tangible benefits of ethical business practices, highlighting the profound impact on workforce well-being, productivity, and economic resilience.

“At ESCP, we believe that businesses thrive when workers thrive,” said Carmel Giblin, President and CEO of ESCP. “This year’s report demonstrates how prioritizing worker well-being leads to increased productivity, reduced turnover, and stronger communities.”

Key Achievements Highlighted in the 2024 Report:

Family-Friendly Factory Program Expansion:

• Over 8,000 workers and 10,000 children benefited from employer-supported childcare initiatives.
• 78 new childcare spaces were established, providing much-needed support to working parents.
• Factories implementing these measures reported higher employee retention and improved workplace morale.

Gender Equality Program Growth:

• Gender-focused training initiatives have resulted in a 43% improvement in gender equality scores in participating factories.
• New policies supporting women’s career advancement, parental leave, and workplace protections have been widely adopted.
• Workplaces reported reduced discrimination complaints and increased opportunities for women in leadership roles.

Worker Helpline Impact:

• Over 10 million workers have had access to the service since its launch in 2010.
• Provided confidential assistance and workplace guidance to thousands of factory and construction workers worldwide.
• Factories with access to the Helpline have seen a decline in unresolved labor disputes and improved worker confidence in reporting issues.

Capability Training Development:

• ESCP offers a comprehensive suite of capability-building initiatives designed to enhance factory compliance, promote ethical manufacturing practices and continuous improvement.
• In 2024, over 600 progress visits were conducted, which are key to helping factories remain in compliance with ESCP standards in between audits.
• Since launching training videos, they have reached over 2,000 workers.

All of ESCP’s worker well-being programs are needs-based and their impacts are monitored to enable transparent data reporting, all the way through from needs assessment phase to annual impact reports. At the recent launch of UNICEF’s Family-Friendly Workplaces Toolkit, Carmel Giblin, President and CEO of ESCP, underscored the importance of data. “Data inspires everyone. It enables the long-term development of worker well-being initiatives, building, not only a societal, but a business case for these policies. Data from our Family-Friendly Factory program demonstrates long-term cost savings, improved retention and turnover rates.”

This report demonstrates that prioritizing worker well-being leads to measurable benefits, including lower absenteeism, greater job satisfaction, and higher productivity. Employees in participating factories have reported a greater sense of security and support, leading to improved work performance and long-term job stability.

Tammy Smitham, Vice President, Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility at Spin Master, a supporter of the Family-Friendly Factory program, shared: “The Family-Friendly Factory program has made remarkable strides in 2024, further supporting children’s well-being and aligning perfectly with our commitment to giving children and their families the opportunity to grow, learn and explore through play. We’re proud to see supplier relationships grow stronger, as factories report increased employee morale and a more meaningful connection to the products they create. This initiative truly reflects our commitment to enabling positive change.”

“The results are clear: ethical supply chains create more resilient businesses and stronger economies,” added Giblin. “By investing in worker well-being, we create environments where employees, their families, and their communities can truly thrive.” Access to the full 2024 Worker Well-Being Impact Report here.