How Prioritizing People is Reshaping Global Business
In a world where profit often overshadows people, the Ethical Supply Chain Program (ESCP) is flipping the script—and the results are in. Their 2024 Worker Well-Being Impact Report offers compelling proof that when companies invest in their workforce, everyone wins.
From improving child care to amplifying women’s roles in the workplace, the latest findings show that a people-first approach isn’t just ethical—it’s incredibly effective.
Thriving Workers, Thriving Business
“At ESCP, we believe that businesses thrive when workers thrive,” says Carmel Giblin, President and CEO of ESCP. That philosophy now comes backed by measurable outcomes: higher productivity, reduced employee turnover, and stronger workplace morale.
The report highlights real progress in several key areas: work-life balance, child care access, leadership opportunities for women, skills training, and the global Worker Helpline.
Childcare That Works for Families and Factories
This year, over 8,000 workers and 10,000 children benefited directly from employer-supported child care services. With 78 new spaces added for working parents, this initiative has not only helped families—it’s helped businesses too. Participating factories reported improved staff retention and a noticeable lift in morale.
The message is clear: when workers feel supported at home, they show up stronger at work.
Women Moving Up, and Workplaces Evolving
One of the standout figures from the report is a 43% rise in gender equality scores at factories that implemented gender-focused training. But the progress isn’t just on paper. New workplace policies now actively support career advancement, parental leave, and protections for women—key pillars of long-term inclusion and equity.
Reports also showed a drop in workplace discrimination complaints and an uptick in women stepping into leadership roles.
The Worker Helpline: A Voice That’s Being Heard
Since its launch in 2010, the Worker Helpline has reached over 10 million workers globally—offering critical guidance and support, especially in factory and construction sectors. The data shows a steady decrease in unresolved labor disputes in facilities that provide Helpline access, underscoring how access to information can empower workers and prevent conflict before it escalates.
Training That Translates to Real Impact
Last year, ESCP conducted over 600 factory progress visits to ensure compliance and ethical standards were upheld. And their training efforts are scaling rapidly—2,000+ workers have already viewed their recently released training videos.
More than checking boxes, these initiatives are laying the groundwork for long-term cultural change across global supply chains.
A New Standard for Family-Friendly Workplaces
Giblin emphasized the importance of data in driving forward sustainable, people-centered policies. “Data from our Family-Friendly Factory program demonstrates long-term cost savings, improved retention, and turnover rates,” she noted during the launch of UNICEF’s Family-Friendly Workplaces Toolkit.
It’s not just about short-term fixes. This is about building companies that people want to be part of—for the long haul.
The Bottom Line: Investing in People Pays Off
From reduced absenteeism to higher job satisfaction, the 2024 ESCP report makes one thing abundantly clear: ethical practices lead to better business outcomes. And for companies like Spin Master, the results are personal.
“The Family-Friendly Factory program has made remarkable strides in 2024,” says Tammy Smitham, VP of Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility at Spin Master. “We’re proud to see our suppliers report increased morale and a deeper connection to the products they help create. This initiative truly reflects our commitment to positive change.”
🌍 Learn more about how ESCP is reshaping supply chains with empathy and purpose at ethicalsupplychain.org
