© ISO 2007 - all rights reserved
21 from actions that obstruct or impede the realization of such rights. A non-exhaustive list of actions and
1007 expectations on which an organization may act is provided below.
1008
6.3.4.2 Related actions andor expectations
1009 An organization should respect everyone’s right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-
1010 being of himself or herself and family, including food, clothing, housing, medical care and necessary social
1011 protection, such as the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old
1012 age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his or her control 32, 93. An organization should
1013 not limit access for the local community to an essential product for survival, or deny access to an essential
1014 resource, such as water. Special care should be taken when privatizing such goods or services not to limit
1015 their accessibility. An organization should also be careful that earnings allow access to these rights.
1016 An organization should respect everyone’s right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and
1017 mental health 33. Activities, goods and services, as well as new projects, may require an assessment of
1018 their possible impacts on human rights and health and safety, including those of the local population and
1019 end-users.
1020 An organization should respect everyone’s right to education 34, 94 and the right of parents to choose the
1021 education for children. Education should be directed to the full development of the human personality and
1022 dignity, and should strengthen the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. An organization
1023 should bear in mind that, apart from the direct harm that may result, the employment of children may also
1024 deprive them of education. International standards on minimum age and young workers should be
1025 respected.
1026 An organization should respect that adult men and women, without any limitations of race, nationality or
1027 religion, have the right to marry and to have a family 31, 89. An organization should organize working
1028 conditions to be consistent with their employees enjoyment of family life. Required working hours should be
1029 consistent with the ability to care for a sick child, to take time off to give birth or other family responsibilities.
1030 Respecting the right to family life entails not impeding employees’ rights to marry and start a family, not
1031 discriminating on the basis of family affiliation, providing parental leave to families with a new child and
1032 promoting a work-life balance.
1033 An organization should respect everyone’s right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and culture 35,
1034 91. This includes freedom to change his or her religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community
1035 with others, and in public or private, to manifest his or her religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship
1036 and observance.
1037 An organization should respect everyone’s right to own property, alone or in association with others 90.
1038 An organisation should fairly compensate property owners for their intellectual and physical property. The
1039
practical knowledge of indigenous peoples is their intellectual property. 1040
6.3.5 Human rights issue 3: Vulnerable groups
1041
6.3.5.1 Description of the issue 1042
Certain groups or categories of people are more vulnerable to human rights abuse. Particular attention 1043
should be given to the human rights of vulnerable groups. The full and effective participation and inclusion 1044
in society for all vulnerable groups provides opportunities for all organizations as well as the people 1045
concerned. An organization has a lot to gain by taking an active approach in ensuring equal opportunity and 1046
respect for all individuals. A non-exhaustive list of actions and expectations on which an organization may 1047
act is provided below. The most important measures to take will depend on the specific organization and its 1048
context. 1049
6.3.5.2 Related actions andor expectations 1050
An organization should be careful to respect the rights of indigenous peoples and minorities 14, 17, 29. 1051
Where organizations operate in unfamiliar environments, it is particularly important to protect the freedom of 1052
their stakeholders to live according to their traditions. Organizations should try to make sure that any 1053
operations, policies and activities allow people belonging to ethnic, religious, linguistic or other communities 1054
22
© ISO 2007 - all rights reserved
to be able, with the other members of their group, to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practice their 1055
own religion or tradition, and to use their own language. 1056
An organization should respect women’s rights and be mindful of the opportunities created in promoting the 1057
equal treatment of women 6. This is especially true with regards to the discrimination against pregnant 1058
women and the development of family-friendly policies, which enable women not to have to decide between 1059
pregnancy and employment. 1060
An organization should, in all actions concerning children, give the best interests of the child primary 1061
consideration 8, 16. The principles of non-discrimination, a child’s right to life, survival, development and 1062
free expression should be respected. 1063
An organization should respect persons with disabilities and their inherent dignity, individual autonomy, 1064
including the freedom to make their own choices, and independence 7. Persons with disabilities include 1065
people with special needs resulting from disease. 1066
An organization should not discriminate against migrants and migrant workers 20. 1067
6.3.6 Human rights issue 4: Fundamental rights at work 1068
