Human Rights | SLB

Human Rights

Schlumberger Employees from Around the World

SLB is committed to conducting business in a manner that preserves and respects human dignity. The company respects the principles in The International Bill of Human Rights that address community impacts, supply chain management, and employment practices, including forced labor, child labor, nondiscrimination, freedom of association, workplace health, and conditions of employment and work.

SLB recognizes the UN Guiding Principles, which are reflected in our SLB Code of Conduct and policies and procedures. We comply with the laws, rules, and regulations of the countries in which we operate. SLB does not engage in discrimination based on race, color, gender, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, religion, union membership, or marital status in hiring and employment practices such as promotions, rewards, and access to training. We prohibit any use or contracting, directly or indirectly, of slavery, human trafficking, child labor, or any form of forced labor.

To ensure the respect of human rights and the progression of sustainable development, SLB has aligned its Sustainability program with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.

Our Efforts to Support Human Rights

Employees and Contractors

The SLB Code of Conduct applies to all employees and contractors. It summarizes our commitment to business ethics and human rights, particularly

  • embracing diversity and equality
  • complying with immigration and employment law
  • working safely and protecting the environment
  • a zero tolerance for corruption and bribery
  • confidential reporting of concerns or violations.

Suppliers

Our suppliers, contractors, and agents are expected to act in a socially responsible and ethical manner. A potential supplier is selected and retained only after it has evidenced in writing its adherence to the SLB Code of Conduct. Suppliers are required to comply with the laws, rules, and regulations of the countries in which they operate. In addition, our supplier policies and procedures should be consistent with the International Labor Organization's core labor principles, as outlined in our working conditions requirements.

Failure to comply with the working conditions requirements, or to resolve labor rights–related issues within a predefined timescale, may incur a contractual penalty for our suppliers.

Local Communities

We respect the rights of local communities and work with our customers and suppliers to create shared values and to align roles and responsibilities on human rights issues. Recognizing that all direct interfacing with communities is typically the responsibility of the customer, we are committed to

  • identifying, preventing, mitigating, and resolving social risks and impacts
  • optimizing employment and contracting opportunities for communities
  • ensuring that community concerns, issues, or problems are taken seriously.

In our projects with a large social footprint, we implement our Social and Environmental Management Standard, which recognizes the International Finance Corporation Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability as a key point of reference. The standard provides a framework for managing our local impacts and ensuring that we respect the rights of individuals and groups in the community. It provides specific guidance in twelve technical areas:

  • waste management
  • water resource management
  • management of nuisance
  • management of greenhouse gases and air emissions
  • environmental emergency management
  • land and biodiversity management
  • hazardous materials management
  • community relations
  • local content
  • social investment
  • indigenous peoples and cultural heritage
  • land acquisition and land access.

Security Arrangements

Sometimes we operate in dangerous areas. SLB is committed to providing maximum protection for our employees and assets without infringing on the human rights of others. Our security arrangements are required to be the most appropriate in the circumstances and consistent with applicable laws and the following international standards:

Conflict Minerals

SLB recognizes that there are serious human rights abuses associated with the extraction, transportation, and trade of minerals. We have always supported responsible sourcing of materials from suppliers that share our values, and we commit to avoid contributing to the conflict through our sourcing activity, as outlined on our Conflict Minerals page.

Grievances

For general inquiries about the human rights policy or reporting, please submit a request through the Contact an Expert link at the top of the page or use the reporting options outlined in the SLB Code of Conduct.