Stage Stores, Inc. Policy
(Subscribes to policy of the Association Merchandising Corporation, AMC)
The Associated Merchandising Corporation is strongly committed to
maintaining its reputation as one of the leading global sourcing and
product development companies. Our long history over the past 8 years
reflects a high level of integrity and consistent ethical values - both
from AMC employees and AMC suppliers.
As we expand our sourcing base to more diverse countries and
cultures, it is important that we select business partners and countries
whose practices are not incompatible with AMC values.
AMC's concerns include the practices of our individual business
partners, as well as the social and political issues in any country
where we might consider sourcing.
We have defined business partners as vendors, manufacturers,
contractors, subcon tractors, and other suppliers who provide labor
and/or material including fabric, sundries, chemicals and trim utilized
in the manufacture and finishing of products that are ordered by or
through us.
1. Environmental Requirements
AMC will only do business with partners who share our commitment to
protect and preserve the environment. This specifically includes
compliance with local govern ment laws and international standards, the
U.S. regulations prohibiting the use of ozone depleting chemicals (hydrochlorofluorocarbons)
and the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora, as listed in the United States Endan gered Species Act of 1973
(and rules and regulations thereunder). In addition, any modifications
to these laws, rules, regulations and standards must be adhered to.
2. Ethical Standards
AMC will seek to identify and work with business partners who aspire
as individuals and in the conduct of their business to a set of ethical
standards which are compat ible with our own.
3. Health & Safety
AMC will only utilize business partners who provide their workers
with a safe and healthy work environment. Business partners who provide
residential facilities for their workers must provide safe and healthy
facilities.
4. Legal Requirements
AMC expects our business partners to be law abiding as individuals
and to comply with all legal requirements relevant to the conduct of
their business. This includes
compliance with these Terms of Engagement and the terms and
conditions of pur chase orders issued by or through AMC, and requires
special attention to U.S. country of origin regulations which govern
quota classification and the marking of mer chandise.
5. Employment Practices
AMC will only do business with partners whose workers are treated
fairly and who in all cases are present voluntarily, not put at risk of
physical harm, fairly compensated, and allowed the right of free
association and not exploited in any way.
In addition, AMC business partners must adhere to the following:
- Wages and Benefits:
- AMC's business partners must provide wages and benefits that
comply with any applicable law or match the prevailing local
manufacturing or finishing industry practices. AMC also favors
businesses that share our commitment to contribute to the betterment
of community conditions.
- Child Labor:
- Use of child labor is not permissible. "Child" is defined as a
person who is within (or younger than) the local age for completing
compulsory education and in no event less than 14 years of age. We
will not knowingly utilize partners who use or permit the use by our
partners of child labor in any of their facilities. We support the
development of legitimate, workplace apprenticeship programs for the
educational benefit of younger people as long as the individual is
not being exploited or put at risk with regard to health and safety.
- Prison Labor/forced Labor:
- AMC will not knowingly utilize business partners who use, or
permit the use of prison or forced labor in the manufacture or
finishing of products ordered by or through AMC. Nor will AMC
knowingly purchase materials from a business partner utilizing
prison or forced labor. "Forced Labor" is defined as all work or
service which is extracted from any person under the threat of
penalty for its nonperformance and for which the worker does not
offer himself voluntarily. Use of forced labor is not permissible.
- Discrimination:
- While AMC recognizes and respects cultural differences, we
believe that workers should be employed on the basis of their
ability to do the job, rather than on a basis of gender, racial
characteristics or cultural or religious beliefs.
- Disciplinary Practices:
- AMC will not knowingly utilize business partners who use, or
permit the use by our partners, of corporal punishment or other
forms of mental or physical coercion.
6. Documentation and Inspection
AMC intends to monitor compliance with our Terms of Engagement and to
conduct on-site inspection of facilities. AMC will review and may
terminate its relationship with any partner found to be in violation
with the Terms of Engagement in addition to exercising any other rights
and remedies to which AMC may be entitled under purchase orders issued
by or through it, by law or otherwise.
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