We are committed to respecting human rights in the countries
and communities where we operate. Because human rights
issues cut across many aspects of our business, our commitment
is not based on a single activity but, rather, on the totality
of our efforts — internally and externally. These include our policies,
management practices, executive involvement, community
programs, and participation in voluntary initiatives.
Our Values, Policies and Performance
Our support for human rights begins with
The Chevron Way, a statement of values
that guide our actions. Our values include
integrity, trust, partnership, diversity, and
protecting people and the environment.
Our Human Rights Statement, adopted
in 2006, reaffirms the manner in which
we operate and is consistent with human
rights principles applicable to business. We
recognize the relevant ideals in the U.N.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and
the International Labour Organization's
Declaration on Fundamental Principles
and Rights at Work. Our global HIV/AIDS
policy affirms that employees suffering
from or otherwise affected by HIV/AIDS are
protected by the company's existing policies
on discrimination and harassment. Our
Business Conduct and Ethics Code, which
all employees must read and acknowledge,
was updated in 2008 to incorporate our
Human Rights Statement.
We continue to reinforce human rights
issues through education and computerbased
training. Throughout 2008, we
deepened our dialogue with thought
leaders — nongovernmental organizations
(NGOs), government and academia — on
the appropriate role of business. We held a
three-day workshop for our Global Security
advisors that included emerging security
and human rights issues.
Chevron has long supported the Leon H.
Sullivan Foundation and endorsed the
Global Sullivan Principles. The principles
promote business support for human rights,
economic justice, racial and gender equality,
sustainable development, and a healthy
environment. In 2008, Chevron sponsored
the eighth Leon H. Sullivan Summit
in Tanzania, and Vice Chairman Peter
Robertson gave an address on the company's
efforts toward achieving sustainable
growth by "helping others help themselves."
Support for the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights
In 2008, we released our Guidelines on
the Voluntary Principles on Security and
Human Rights. The guidelines describe
our operational framework for security
where we operate and are consistent with
the Voluntary Principles. Management
in our country business units is required
to implement the guidelines to fit local
circumstances.
Our business units are committed to
supporting the Voluntary Principles in
accordance with local laws and conditions.
In many areas where we operate, we
communicate and reinforce the principles
with host governments and their security
forces, and with private security with
whom we sometimes work. We also have
begun to include Voluntary Principles
considerations in contractual agreements
with private security groups. Our business
units participate in multistakeholder
briefings and share practices regarding
the principles with host governments,
companies and NGOs.
The Voluntary Principles are not a panacea
for security and human rights issues, but
they are a building block on which progress
is measured in increments. Their success
cannot be guaranteed by a single actor but
requires the concerted efforts of government,
companies and NGOs, aided by
mutual support and reinforcement.
Along with integrating the principles in
our security and human rights processes
internally, Chevron promotes the principles
externally. We have participated in plenary
meetings since 2004. We helped develop
the formal criteria for participation in
the Voluntary Principles, and we participate
in a multistakeholder working group
that is developing participant guidelines
for reporting. We shared our experiences
through participation in meetings with the U.S. State Department and in security
and human rights workshops organized
by the International Petroleum Industry
Environmental Conservation Association,
of which Chevron is a member.
Communities
Our community engagement programs
are an integral part of our commitment
to human rights and focus on improving
access to basic needs, supporting education
and health care, and promoting
economic livelihoods. By strengthening
communities where we operate, we help
empower individuals to realize their potential
and pursue productive opportunities.
Chevron's Social Impact Assessment (SIA)
is part of the Environmental, Social and
Health Impact Assessment performed on
new capital projects. SIAs look at many
types of social issues that potentially have
human rights components. The subject
matter is determined case by case, and
may cover potential impacts on a broad
range of issues, such as availability and
access to food and shelter, family structure,
relationships among groups, traditions,
beliefs, cultural and faith-based practices,
and cultural property. SIAs also include
an understanding of the macro-level
influences on local communities, such as
national regulations concerning labor,
elements of international standards, applicable
laws and company policies.
Human Rights Campaign Recognizes Chevron
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation
awarded Chevron a perfect score on its
Corporate Equality Index for the fourth
consecutive year. The foundation rated
nearly 600 businesses on their policies
and treatment of gay, lesbian, bisexual
and transgender (GLBT) employees,
consumers and investors. Chevron’s nondiscrimination
policies, domestic-partner
benefits, diversity training and PRIDE
(Promote Respect, Inclusion and Dignity
for Everyone) employee network were all
factors in the 100 percent rating, recognizing
Chevron as a best place to work. The
Human Rights Campaign is the largest U.S.
civil rights organization working toward
GLBT equality.
Updated: May 2009