SustainCase: How Microsoft helps its suppliers create and maintain safe working environments

Case study: How Microsoft helps its suppliers create and maintain safe working environments


Operating worldwide, developing, licensing and supporting a wide range of software products, services and devices, Microsoft interacts with thousands of suppliers every day. Microsoft’s aim is to ensure that all its suppliers, throughout a supply chain that spans 25 countries around the world, maintain high standards of health and safety.


Abstract

Microsoft’s hardware business has grown since its inception in 1982. Today, Microsoft’s Device and Supply Chain Group manages this supply chain, spanning 25 countries across the globe, striving to help suppliers create and maintain safe working envi­ronments. After measuring and setting targets, Microsoft took action to provide training resources for suppliers Tweet This! – Microsoft created a training platform that includes labor, ethics, environ­mental, health and safety (EH&S) training course modules for suppliers –, work with factory management to build a culture of health and safety, track key health and safety performance indicators and, also, implement a new supplier improvement program.


Using the GRI Standards in order to maintain and increase the value of your company


With each publication in this series the FBRH team will highlight one key impact identified by a company reporting in accordance with the GRI Standards and show how it has taken a structured, systematic approach to improving performance. With such positive action companies build trust, by dealing responsibly and conscientiously with their impact on the environment and on their stakeholders (e.g. clients, suppliers, shareholders, local communities, NGOs or local government). Stakeholders that can hold it back or stop it from reaching its objectives


By building trust your company creates loyalty and long-term commitment to its services and brands