Procurement and supply chain

Procurement and supply chain relationships involve workers who advance the retaining organization’s work. Treating contractor staff in a way that doesn’t align with organizational values can degrade trust. And having a dignity mindset when deciding what goods and services to purchase can deepen commitments to underserved communities.

How can procurement and supply chain decisions affect dignity?

Procurement of goods and services and supply chain relationships all involve workers whose efforts help advance the retaining organization’s work. Contractors often work alongside organizational staff; they are the extended workforce. The ability to influence those relationships is real, and allows an organization to use best efforts to ensure that non-staff workers are treated with dignity. A misalignment of treatment between contract and other supply chain staff and direct staff can degrade trust in values stated. Finally, goods and services purchased with a dignity-mindset can deepen the intention around inclusion and broader commitments to under-served communities.


The key organizational functions that play a role

  • Procurement

  • Supplier diversity

  • Operations

  • Events

  • Communications and marketing teams

  • Policy/legal

  • Executive/senior leadership teams

  • Inclusion and diversity teams

What the organization can do: Actions

1. Recognize the dignity-advancing opportunities in procurement.

2. Leverage the dignity-advancing opportunities in the workforce supply chain.

Help Us Protect Human Rights

Please give now. Your contribution will make a difference in the critical effort to achieve equal rights for all.