Praxis engages Target on human rights

Praxis and investor partners recently convened a dialogue with Target to discuss the company’s human rights policies. The dialogue was a continuation of investor engagement with the company over the past several years and included updates and information about new initiatives.

Target has developed strong human rights policies and procedures and has become a leader among retailers in this area. For example, Target requires all suppliers, vendors, and partners to comply with its Vendor Standards and cascade them throughout their own supply chains. The vendor standards cover many issues including ethical business practices, health and safety, forced labor and human trafficking, and grievance mechanisms.

Much of the conversation focused on Target’s monitoring and auditing program to ensure compliance with its human rights standards, including the Human Rights Impact Assessments the company performed in 2022.

In addition to improving the auditing of its own operations, Target is also working in partnership with industry peers and multi-stakeholder organizations such as the Responsible Business Alliance to address some of the broader systemic issues that contribute to child labor issues and human rights abuses.

Praxis has been in dialogue with Target on human rights, toxic chemicals, and other issues for over five years and will continue to engage with the company.

Target is held in the Praxis Value Index Fund.