Bollman Hat Company
Code of Conduct

The Bollman Hat Company believes firmly in treating individuals with respect and dignity, providing opportunities for a better future and listening, thinking and acting with integrity for the long term. We have created a safe, fair, and non-discriminatory work environment and expect the same high standards of business practices from our trading partners, their contractors and sub-contractors.

All trading partners shall comply with the legal requirements and standards of their industry under the local and national laws of the jurisdiction in which the trading partner does business, including labor and employment laws of those jurisdictions and any applicable U.S. laws. If the industry standard exceeds a jurisdiction’s requirements, Bollman Hat Company will favor trading partners who meet industry standards. We seek to promote continuous improvement in our operations. All merchandise shall be accurately labeled with its country of origin in compliance with applicable laws. The following requirements are meant to ensure that these standards are maintained.

HUMAN RIGHTS
Voluntary Employment: Each employee’s presence at work must be voluntary. This specifically prohibits all forms of prison labor, indentured labor, slave labor, or any other forms of compulsory labor. Employees must have the option to leave employment.

Fair and Equal Treatment: All conditions of employment must be based on the individual’s ability to do the job. Work environments must be free of intolerance, harassment, abuse, retribution for grievances, and corporal punishment. There cannot be discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, political opinion, nationality, social origin, social status, indigenous heritage, disability, age, marital status, capacity to bear children, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic features, or other status of the individual unrelated to the ability to perform the job.

Child Labor: The Bollman Hat Company will not tolerate the use of child labor. We define “child” as younger than 16 years of age or the compulsory age for school attendance, whichever is greater. Laws of the jurisdiction of the trading partner, their contractor or subcontractor must be followed regarding restrictions for employees of certain ages.

Compensation: For regular work hours, employees must receive wages and benefits that at a minimum meet all applicable laws governing minimum wage and mandated benefits. For overtime hours, employees must receive a premium rate, which must be no lower than local or national laws of the jurisdiction in which the trading partner is doing business. Wages must be paid on a regular schedule and employees must receive an understandable pay slip that shows how wages are calculated. There cannot be conditional employment practices, such as training or apprenticeship wages, pre-employment fees, deposits, or other practices that effectively lower an employee’s pay below the legal minimum wage.

Working Hours: The regular work schedule (excluding appropriately compensated overtime) must not exceed 48 hours per six-day period. Total working hours (including overtime) cannot exceed 60 hours in a given week or 12 hours in a given day. Employees shall receive at least 1 day off of rest after working 6 consecutive days. All overtime must be voluntary.

Freedom of Association: Employees must be given the right to decide how their best interests will be represented in the workplace. This includes the right to freely associate.

Health and Safety: The workplace must be safe and healthy based on the recognized standards of the International Labor Organization and national laws. Trading partners must provide adequate medical facilities, fire exits and safety equipment, well-lighted and comfortable workstations, clean rest rooms and where necessary, residential living facilities. Employees must receive adequate training on workplace safety practices.

ENVIRONMENT
We expect a strong environmental commitment and aggressive efforts to protect and restore the natural environment. We will favor trading partners who: 1) have a management system demonstrating environmental commitment; 2) publicly disclose environmental impacts and activities through regular report; 3) eliminate or actively reduce toxic and hazardous substances from products and operations; 4) increase efficiency and thereby minimize pollution and waste; 5) reduce use of natural resources including raw materials, energy and water; 6) take responsibility for proper waste management and any environmental problems associated with disposal of wastes. We encourage trading partners to reduce excess packing and to use recycled and non-toxic materials. We require a continuous effort to improve environmental performance along a defined path towards clean production.

RIGHT OF REVIEW
To measure our compliance and the compliance of our trading partners, we conduct ongoing audits and reviews of facilities. We require full and open access (for our staff and representatives) to the facilities and operations involved in our business. Employees must have the opportunity to notify us anonymously on any violations of standards at a workplace, and they must not receive any retribution for this action. If you know of a violation of this standard by a trading partner, please email us confidentially at ethics@bollmanhats.com. Thank you for your interest in the Bollman Hat Company.