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Commentary
Tracking is necessary in order for a business enterprise to know if its human
rights policies are being implemented optimally, whether it has responded
effectively to the identified human rights impacts, and to drive continuous
improvement.
Business enterprises should make particular efforts to track the effectiveness
of their responses to impacts on individuals from groups or populations that
may be at heightened risk of vulnerability or marginalization.
Tracking should be integrated into relevant internal reporting processes.
Business enterprises might employ tools they already use in relation to
other issues. This could include performance contracts and reviews as well
as surveys and audits, using gender-disaggregated data where relevant.
Operational-level grievance mechanisms can also provide important
feedback on the effectiveness of the business enterprise’s human rights due
diligence from those directly affected (see Principle 29).
21. In order to account for how they address their human rights impacts,
business enterprises should be prepared to communicate this externally,
particularly when concerns are raised by or on behalf of affected
stakeholders. Business enterprises whose operations or operating
contexts pose risks of severe human rights impacts should report
formally on how they address them. In all instances, communications
should:
(a) Be of a form and frequency that reflect an enterprise’s human
rights impacts and that are accessible to its intended audiences;
(b) Provide information that is sufficient to evaluate the adequacy of
an enterprise’s response to the particular human rights impact
involved;
(c) In turn not pose risks to affected stakeholders, personnel or to
legitimate requirements of commercial confidentiality.
Commentary
The responsibility to respect human rights requires that business enterprises
have in place policies and processes through which they can both know
Select target paragraph3
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