Advise and Assess

A thorough review of operations against all internationally recognized human rights, as companies can potentially impact any of these rights.

We drive a paradigm shift by encouraging our clients to move beyond traditional business-centric perspectives and adopt a people-centered approach. The purpose of our HRIAs is to “understand the specific impacts on specific people, given a specific context of operations” (UNGP 18 – Commentary). We identify and analyze risks and impacts from the perspective of those affected, ensuring that every step—from impact assessment to harm mitigation—is grounded in their perspectives and lived experiences.

Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement lies at the heart of our HRIA process with a strong emphasis on prioritizing engagement with rights-holders. We see to engage directly with those most affected by business operations, as well as their legitimate representatives to ensure their perspectives shape the assessment. This approach acknowledges that affected stakeholders include both individuals within the company walls (e.g., workers, unions and other workers’ representatives, contractors) and outside the walls (e.g., Indigenous peoples and non-indigenous affected communities, supply chain workers). This rights-holder-centric approach places their voices, concerns, and needs at the heart of the assessment process, ensuring they drive the development of actionable and contextually appropriate actions.

We apply a vulnerable groups lens during HRIAs to identify individuals or groups who may face heightened risks of vulnerability or marginalization. This includes, but is not limited to, migrant workers, women, children, ethnic minorities, and LGBTQIA+ community members.

Our approach is context-specific, allowing us to adapt to the unique circumstances and operational environments in which the business operates. We avoid relying on a predetermined list of vulnerable groups during the assessment, which can introduce bias and risk overlooking individuals or groups who may not commonly and easily categorized as vulnerable.

We also recognize that vulnerability is intersectional, with multiple factors interacting to create unique challenges and heightened risks. By maintaining an open-minded and flexible approach, we ensure that all potentially affected individuals and groups are identified and meaningfully considered in the assessment and mitigation processes.

We provide clear, practical guidance on actions to prevent, mitigate, or remedy identified adverse impacts, tailored to your operational context. Our recommendations are rooted in meaningful engagement and collaboration with affected groups, ensuring that they are driven by the perspectives of those most impacted.

We also provide guidance on corrective action plans, delivering customized strategies and recommendations to address human rights risks and bridge gaps in your risk management processes. This involves creating detailed roadmaps with defined timelines and milestones to support the successful implementation of the proposed actions.