Print This PageHuman Rights
Freedom of Association
In This Section
"Monsanto recognizes and respects employees' rights and freedom to join or not join organizations of their own choosing, to associate freely and bargain collectively. The company shall, in those situations in which the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining are restricted under law, facilitate open communication and direct engagement between workers and management. No worker shall be subject to dismissal, discrimination, harassment, intimidation or retaliation by reason of their membership in a lawful workers’ association or union."
Workers' organizations — whether they take the forms of unions, grievance committees, safety committees, worker committees, or other associations — are legally protected in most countries where Monsanto operates.
In those countries where freedom of association is not protected by law, it may be necessary for Monsanto and its business partners to facilitate effective communication and develop a proper grievance system to ensure that workers and management maintain harmonious relations.
Question and Answer
Workers trying to organize a union by passing out leaflets during the work shift are asked not to offer this information except after hours, and during the lunch hour and scheduled breaks. Are these restrictions in keeping with this provision of our Human Rights Policy?*
Employers may place reasonable, lawful restrictions on union organizing efforts by their workers during the workday. Unless local laws prohibit the restrictions described here, such restrictions do not violate the Monsanto Human Rights Policy.
* This is a hypothetical question not necessarily based on a real situation.
