Use case

Use Case: Developing a roadmap for human rights due diligence

The problem

A global IT company recognised the need to move from fragmented efforts to a structured, forward-looking approach to human rights due diligence.

“We wanted a clear roadmap that helps us prioritise, plan, and embed human rights across the business, in a way that’s both strategic and practical.”

They wanted to prepare for upcoming EU legislation, understand the risks and strengthen internal alignment.

The context

While the company had existing commitments and management processes in place, there was no overarching strategy to guide implementation across business units and geographies. With regulatory pressure increasing (CSDDD, CSRD, EUFLR), they needed a more systematic approach that would ensure coherence, stakeholder involvement, and measurable progress over time.

Use Case- Developing a roadmap for human rights due diligence

Our action

HUMAN RIGHTS AT WORK supported the company through a step-by-step process:

  • Saliency assessment to identify the most severe human rights risks across operations and value chains, focusing on impact on people, not just on business.
  • Policy adaptation, strengthening existing commitments and clarifying expectations for key functions and suppliers.
  • Gap analysis to evaluate current processes (risk management, supplier due diligence, grievance mechanisms, governance) against international standards.
  • Stakeholder consultations (internal and external) to ensure the roadmap was grounded in operational reality and reflected stakeholder concerns.
  • Development of a Human Rights Due Diligence Roadmap: a multi-year action plan with short-, medium- and long-term priorities, clear responsibilities, and progress indicators.

The result

  • A tailored, time-bound roadmap that integrates human rights into the company’s existing risk and compliance structures.
  • Clearer internal roles and ownership across departments (procurement, sustainability, legal, HR).
  • Stronger engagement with external stakeholders, including civil society, investors and business partners.
  • A foundation for future CSDDD obligations.
  • A shift in mindset: from reactive compliance to proactive risk-based management.

Insights

Human rights due diligence is not a checklist,  it’s a journey. A good roadmap connects ambition with action, ensures people across the organisation are on board, and helps build resilience over time.

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