Valmont’s Human Rights Policy is based on our core value of “operating with absolute integrity” and it applies to all employees, officers and directors of Valmont Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Valmont” or the “Company”).
Regardless of our position within the Company, we all have a duty to understand and adhere to our core value. We are expected to exemplify integrity every single day and our commitment to act with integrity crosses all borders. We believe that acting with integrity is not something you do solely for your public reputation, rather it means doing the right thing even when no one is watching.
Consistent with this core value, is our commitment to human rights. Valmont respects internally recognized human rights standards, and this policy is guide by the U.N. Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights. We expect our agents, contractors, consultants, dealers, distributors, suppliers and vendors to share our commitment to human rights (collectively referred to as “Business Partners”).
Non-discrimination and Harassment
Valmont is committed to equal opportunity and fair treatment. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of age, race, disability, ethnicity, marital or family status, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We will not tolerate harassment, discrimination, or retaliation. Although legal definitions may vary from country to country, in our company, “harassment” means any form of conduct towards another person that:
- has the aim or effect of intimidating someone
- is hostile or offensive to the person
- interferes without reason with, or obstructs, someone’s work
- puts obstacles in someone’s way at work in terms of opportunities.
Voluntary Labor
We prohibit the hiring of individuals that are under 18 years of age for position in which hazardous work is required. Valmont is committed to voluntary employment, and we strictly prohibit all forms of compulsory labor, including child labor, forced labor, slavery and human trafficking.
Work Hours, Wages and Benefit
We compensate employees competitively relative to the industry and local labor markets, and in accordance with the terms of applicable collective bargaining agreements. We require full compliance with applicable, wage, work hours, overtime and benefit laws.
Safe and Healthy Workplace
Valmont values the health, safety, and security of its employees, customers, and the public and is committed to creating a culture that promotes and maintains a healthy, safe and secure workplace. We are always working toward an incident-free workplace.
Training
Valmont provides annual training on our human rights policy through our annual Code of Business Conduct training program.
Reporting
It is Valmont’s hope that our employees feel comfortable discussing improper or unethical situations with our supervisor or the management at our location. In addition, any individual can always contact our Compliance Officer at +1 402 963 1080. Further, Valmont’s Compliance Reporting System allows anyone, within or outside Valmont, to confidentially report a situation or ask a question using a secure website owned and managed by a third party. You can access Valmont’s Compliance Reporting System, and our country-specific telephone numbers, at www.valmont.com. The Compliance Reporting System is available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, in multiple languages. Valmont will not tolerate any retaliation against anyone for reporting concerns that the individual believes in good faith are possible breaches of this Human Rights Policy.