Vendor Standards
In order to work with Kroger, vendors and contractors must operate in a manner that respects the rights of people and abides by our Code of Conduct. The Code requires that they must abide by all labor laws and regulations of the country where the products are manufactured and/or assembled.
Our Code of Conduct follows the U.S. Department of Labor regulations and the Fair Labor Standards Act. It includes the following:
• Child, indentured, involuntary or prison labor must not be used or supported.*
• Workers may not be exposed to unreasonably hazardous, unsafe or unhealthy conditions.*
• Workers may not be unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability or sexual orientation.*
• The workplace must be free from harassment, which includes sexually coercive, threatening, abusive or exploitative conduct or behavior or harassment because of one’s race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability or sexual orientation.*
• Workers at all times must be treated fairly, with dignity and respect.*
• Wages paid to workers must meet or exceed legal and industry standards.*
• All vendor workers performing work within the United States must be legally eligible for employment in the U.S.A. under the U.S Immigration Laws. Vendors must require and review, prior to each non-U.S. citizen employee’s assignment, documentation establishing such eligibility for all vendor workers who perform services for Kroger within the U.S.*
• Vendors may not engage in any conduct likely, intending or appearing to improperly influence any Kroger representatives in the performance of their job responsibilities. Bribes, cash payments and business gifts and entertainment of more than token value are expressly prohibited. Vendors must refrain from engaging in any conduct that may appear improper or may result in a conflict of interest when viewed from Kroger’s point of view.*
• Vendors and their contractors must maintain written records evidencing compliance with the provisions of this Code of Conduct and must make those records available to Kroger upon request.*
*Taken from the Kroger 2009 Sustainability Report