In 2022, following updates to reflect user experience and critical feedback from several corporate and human rights experts, a finalised version of the digital tool was released on the vinci.net intranet for use by all Group employees, in English, French and Spanish. Managing Human Rights is an essential component of VINCI’s human rights policy: since 2018, it has been used to assess practices covering 66% of our workforce in countries identified as high priority.
VINCI’s Internal Audit Department has updated the risk scorecards used by the Group’s risk committees to assess projects. Consideration of non-financial risks, in addition to technical and financial risks, has been reinforced. Human rights risks include risks relating to recruitment practices, accommodation and impacts on local communities and nearby residents. Prior to new acquisitions, a human rights risk assessment must be conducted and examine such aspects as the country of operation, the company’s commitments and the resources devoted to preventing human rights risks.
In VINCI’s businesses, whether in concessions, energy or construction activities, the major challenges are at the operational level. Accordingly, when it comes to vigilance with regard to human rights risks in the value chain, priority is given to subcontractors and temporary workers employed at worksites and sites under operation.
The Group has provided all entities with a due diligence methodology that includes the following steps: mapping human rights risks for subcontractors and service providers, applying specific criteria during the selection phase, including specific clauses in contracts and monitoring compliance with contractual obligations. Other verifications and audits are carried out on a case-by-case basis. To help business lines and divisions implement the methodology, the Group has taken specific measures to prevent social risks in subcontracting (see “Preventing social risks and illegal work in subcontracting in France”, page 271).
In respect of temporary employment agencies, the Group’s Purchasing Coordination unit has set up a framework agreement to select approved agencies. The non-financial criteria used to assess them relate to occupational health and safety, training, diversity, the prevention of illegal and undeclared work, and the existence of a whistleblowing system for employees. In France, it is compulsory for Group entities to use approved agencies to recruit their temporary workers. Agency-specific improvement plans have been developed on a case-by-case basis (see paragraph 4.2, “Duty of vigilance with regard to health and safety”, page 255). During the latest agency selection process, 23% of those assessed were excluded based on ESG criteria. Beyond the selection phase, Group companies also put controls in place while contracts with agencies are ongoing to prevent risks of infringing workers’ rights. For example, controls are carried out on payroll systems, to ensure that all hours worked are paid, and on the full reporting and payment of social contributions to accredited organisations, to ensure that workers access the social benefits to which they are entitled. These items are also verified during subsidiary assessments.
For other purchasing categories that are shared by all business lines, that significantly impact revenue, or that involve significant non-financial risks, specific CSR assessments are conducted with the Group’s Purchasing Coordination unit. The purchasing category is analysed in depth and the associated social risks are mapped. Invitations to tender and specifications integrate social criteria, based on identified issues. Depending on how they perform against the criteria, some suppliers may be discarded, while for others, a CSR improvement plan may be proposed, with the aim to promote collective upskilling (see paragraph 2.2, “Relations with suppliers and subcontractors”, of the “Social performance” section, page 214).
The issues facing VINCI and its entities are often complex and involve multiple players throughout the value chain. Although VINCI continually enhances its risk prevention and management systems, it does not always have the necessary leverage to pursue every possible action, due to its position in the value chain and the cyclical nature of its activities. For this reason, as a complement to its in-house efforts, VINCI has joined a number of external coalitions and initiatives, working in collaboration with a variety of stakeholders on tools, methodologies and actions that promote human rights, to better address human rights issue
