Human Rights Awareness: Workers Rights

Human Rights Awareness Month: Workers Rights

Sunday, December 10th, is Human Rights Day and this year celebrates the 75th anniversary of one of the world’s most groundbreaking pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).  The theme of this milestone event is: “Freedom, Equality and Justice for All“.   

Based on the United Nations, the Declaration “enshrines the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being – regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, or other status. Available in more than 500 languages, it is the most translated document in the world”.

The fundamental concept of Human Rights is at a vital intersection of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). In a world that is beautifully diverse, yet plagued by inequality and discrimination, it is crucial to recognize and champion the rights of every individual, regardless of their background, identity, or circumstance.

Human rights are the inherent entitlements that belong to every person, simply by virtue of being human. They encompass the principles of dignity, equality, and freedom, forming the bedrock of a just and inclusive society. However, the realization of these rights remains an ongoing struggle, as systemic barriers and biases persist in various forms.

Over the course of the year, our “More Than a Month” series has yielded thought-provoking articles, personal stories, and insightful discussions, where we explored the ways in which DIBE (Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging and Equity) initiatives can drive positive change and create inclusive environments where everyone can thrive. Exploring these issues openly with our team has helped navigate the complexities of DIBE and overall human rights, and helps celebrate and amplify the voices of those in our community who’ve faced adversity.

As a part of our December DIBE (Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Equity) “More Than a Month” series, our Senior Associate, Nynena Gaye, asked to share her POV on “Workers Rights”. Here’s her story…

 

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When I read “Human Rights Awareness” I immediately envision an image of fists of all ethnic backgrounds unitedly punching the air in victory. I see girls and boys joyously preparing for school. I see a well-educated adult working without the authenticity of his credentials being debated. I imagine people being treated by doctors, clean water, proper sanitation, and sturdy homes for all! However, there are also times when I read “Human Rights Awareness” and I remember the things that were and still are: the war zones, the epidemics of diseases curable and incurable; the billions of people without homes (or food, for that matter).

Some of the images that come to mind are nauseating, and others inspire a call to defend ‌human rights that aren’t being met. If you’re like me, the compassion you have for others stirs a deep appreciation toward those who diligently protect and advocate for our basic human needs. 

Human rights awareness is a call for us to remember our own humanity. It’s easy to get caught up in life (what we’ve accomplished, what we aspire to do, where we want to travel to next, what we’re buying for the holidays) and we forget about those who fight against oppression each day. It’s easy to forget how interconnected we are in a globalized world when at the click of a button we can have access to pretty much anything, and anyone. Whether we live comfortably with our basic needs going unchallenged is simply a matter of where and when we were born. How fragile is that? 

The topic of human rights lives deep in the wounds of billions of people (now and historically), and I don’t pretend to understand the realities of those who don’t live as I do, comfortably in a developed and industrialized world. However, my hope is that we can celebrate, grieve, and support each cause in the vast spectrum of rights (from access to clean water to working in an insulated building), because in the end, a need is a need, and each should be treated independently as such.

 

So why even talk about it here in a DIBE blog?

Our “More than a Month” series, as it relates to DIBE, is meant to bridge the gap, creating space for better communication among colleagues and departments, so that businesses embrace the rights, values, and experiences of people collectively. It’s my hope that more people would better understand their rights as employees, and be at liberty to express their rights in the workplace. It’s imperative that we do what we can to uphold these rights so we can create a safe and productive environment.

Working at a smaller research agency has taught me that there are at least two roles we have in upholding human rights: there’s (1) the influence we have on the clients we work with, how we support them, and what strategic advice we provide for them; and then there’s (2) the guidelines we have in place for ourselves and the protection we provide for our employees.

When it comes to the former (i.e., the clients and brands we work with), we are dedicated to working with brands that support the well-being of people, and what matters to them. That’s what The Sound is all about: engaging brands with people! We focus our lens on the person, while communicating to brands about the ways they can best serve them, you, us. Brands and agencies have the right to deny service to companies that don’t align with their values, and The Sound is no stranger to this. It’s one of the obligations the company has to promote a safe and happy environment. One of the many privileges and obligations we have as a consultancy is to speak up and recommend strategies that promote safety, wellbeing, and enjoyment. We listen to the lived experiences of different people, with different interests and challenges, and work to protect what we have learned about them. It’s safe to say, companies don’t get it right all of the time, including us. We learn and grow as the world does, and it’s a needed evolution. 

When it comes to the latter (i.e., working Guidelines established in the company) It’s a right we have as employees to work in a physically and psychologically safe environment. In the US, we have rights against discrimination, and rights in favor of equal pay and proper accommodations for medical and religious beliefs, to name a few. The U.S. Department of Labor enforces roughly 180 protection laws, ranging from pay requirements (i.e., minimum wage/Fair Labor Standards Act) to parental leave benefits. There are other protections supervised by many organizations to protect various employee rights in the workplace in the U.S. (such as U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commision, OSHA, your state’s Workplace Rights Bureau, etc.) and elsewhere. 

According the the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), there’s “a broad range of internationally accepted rights, including civil, cultural, economic, political and social”. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) promotes: 

• The right to work in just and favorable conditions;

• The right to social protection, to an adequate standard of living, and to the highest-attainable standards of physical and mental well-being;

• The right to education and the enjoyment of benefits of cultural freedom and scientific progress (1966).

So what does this look like for me?

I joined The Sound fresh out of college with all the curiosity and ambition to start something new in the heart of the Windy City (Chicago, IL). Before joining The Sound, I had experience working a few jobs: library assistant, canvasser, sandwich maker, appointment scheduler. Each role was different, but the rules were similar and very simple: wear the uniform, clock in on time, and perform the tasks that are required for your role. If you needed anything at all, the supervisor was always on-site, and prepared to help. When I stepped into The Sound, it was a similar experience, except there wasn’t a uniform; we didn’t necessarily “clock-in”, and it was a hybrid working model. Thinking back now, I remember feeling extra jazzy my first day because no place I’d ever worked at allowed casual clothes.

The office was located in the heart of Chicago in a building that required a fancy pin to enter. When I reached the suite, the head of HR greeted me at the door, and took me on a tour of the office, where I was amazed by the chosen aesthetic. The colors of the office were so vibrant, there were books for different interests, a room dedicated to coffee that was separate from the dining/lunch room; and private working areas for those in need of a quiet setting. My colleagues were kind, respectful, and knowledgeable about a variety of topics. They were welcoming and helpful in making me feel at home. 

The right to work in just and favorable conditions – the conditions that were cultivated for me were beyond favorable and just, and the safety of such a place meant a lot. I knew I was physically safe, being in a building that required a key to enter the general facility; a key to enter the suite, with an alarm system, near a parking lot, with several cameras in and surrounding the building to ensure my safety. When I was cold, I had resources to keep me warm, and when I needed a break, there was a space for me to rest. I also found physical safety in the benefit package, with various insurances: travel, life, and health. I felt mentally and emotionally safe to ask questions on the job, safe to trust the HR staff with any concerns that might arise, and safe to speak with co-workers about work-related issues and personal hobbies or interests. The right to social protection, to an adequate standard of living, and to the highest attainable standards of physical and mental well-being were clear. The right to education was also satisfied when I received on-the-job training, applying known practices, and learning new ones as project work allowed. 

Although I use The Sound as my most recent example, these human rights have always been present in the workplaces I’ve been in. That is the world I know, and it’s probably the one you’re most familiar with too. It’s normal to have most of these things: a conference room, an office chair, a laptop/computer… I mean, how can we do the work we do without them? The truth is, there are basic appliances needed for operation and there are luxuries that we have that help us feel safe and free to work (i.e., taking a coffee break, having flex hours, etc.). Most of us live what some people might call a luxury; to work in an office, to be involved with a company that supports employee values in human rights. It might be routine for us, but we’re living with rights we should remember and uphold for ourselves and advocate for others. 

In closing… Worker Rights is just one cause of many that should be brought to people’s attention and supported. You can get involved with your local community activists to support causes you’re passionate about, and look to organizations such as Human Rights Watch or VolunteerMatch to stay informed and find ways to support. Ask your company if there are ways they can join you in your support! Whatever we can do to keep human rights, our human rights, front and center, let’s do it… together.

 

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Thank you Nynena for taking us on your journey as we strive for a future where diversity is embraced, equity is ensured, and inclusion is the norm.

Take the time this week, month, or over the course of 2024 to create a platform for sharing experiences, amplifying marginalized voices, and fostering dialogue that challenges existing norms and biases. We believe that by engaging in open and honest conversations, we can collectively contribute to a more just and equitable society, where human rights are not just ideals, but tangible realities for all.