{"id":18009,"date":"2022-04-22T19:59:51","date_gmt":"2022-04-22T18:59:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fairlabor.org\/?page_id=18009"},"modified":"2025-09-30T16:50:28","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T15:50:28","slug":"faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.fairlabor.org\/contact\/faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Frequently Asked Questions<\/h1>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Below are some often asked questions about FLA. If you don’t see an answer to your question, use the Contact Us form<\/a> to send us a message.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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About FLA<\/h2>\n
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What is the Fair Labor Association?<\/h2>\n \n <\/use>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n
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The Fair Labor Association (FLA) is <\/span>an international network of <\/span>universities<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>civil society organizations<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>companies<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 <\/span>that <\/span>promotes human rights at work. FLA members collaborate to ensure that workers in factories and on farms are paid fairly and protected from risks to their health, safety, and well-being.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

FLA evaluates companies\u2019 business practices against the highest international labor <\/span>standards<\/span><\/a> to ensure they advance workers’ rights; offers <\/span>accreditation programs<\/span><\/a> for companies committed to improving working conditions in their supply chains; supports workers by <\/span>addressing instances of significant and persistent noncompliance<\/span><\/a> with FLA standards; and collaborates with organizations around the world on <\/span>strategic projects<\/span><\/a> that increase understanding of labor issues in global supply chains and test innovative ideas to improve working conditions.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Who serves on the FLA Board of Directors? <\/h2>\n \n <\/use>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n
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FLA <\/span>is led by a 19-member <\/span><\/span>Board of Directors<\/span><\/span><\/a> that<\/span> includes <\/span>an independent chair and six representatives <\/span>from<\/span> each of <\/span>the <\/span>organization\u2019s <\/span>three caucuses<\/span>: <\/span><\/span>universities<\/span><\/span><\/a>, <\/span><\/span>civil society organizations<\/span><\/span><\/a>,<\/span> and <\/span><\/span>companies<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span> Board <\/span>members<\/span> are elected by their caucus to three-year terms <\/span>based on their <\/span>commitment to promoting<\/span> adherence to international labor standards and improving working conditions worldwide<\/span>.<\/span> The board selects its chair, who <\/span>also s<\/span>erves a three-year term, <\/span>by a supermajority vote<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Where is FLA based? <\/h2>\n \n <\/use>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n
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FLA is headquartered in Washington, D.C., <\/span>with<\/span> offices in Geneva, Switzerland; Abidjan, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire; and Istanbul, T\u00fcrkiye.<\/span> FLA has a <\/span><\/span>diverse, international team<\/span><\/span><\/a> spread across 13 countries that is committed to <\/span>improving working conditions in global supply chains through its programs.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

FLA Headquarters<\/strong>
\n2033 K Street NW, Suite 400
\nWashington, DC 20006
\n+1 202 898 1000<\/p>\n

FLA Europe<\/strong>
\n27 Chemin des Crets-de-Pregny, CH-1218 Grand-Saconnex
\nGeneva, Switzerland
\n+41 22 747 0088<\/p>\n

FLA C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire<\/strong>
\nRiviera Bonoumin, Rue I89
\nR\u00e9sidence 1263, Premier Etage Appartement 1
\nAbidjan Cocody, Abidjan 00225
\nC\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire<\/p>\n

FLA T\u00fcrkiye<\/strong>
\n\u0130n\u00f6n\u00fc Cd. Turabo\u011flu Sok. S\u00fcmko Sit. L-1 Blok Kat:13 D: 57 Kozyata\u011f\u0131 Kad\u0131k\u00f6y, \u0130stanbul, T\u00fcrkiye<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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How is FLA funded? <\/h2>\n \n <\/use>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n
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FLA is funded <\/span>primarily <\/span>by <\/span>member <\/span>d<\/span>ues<\/span>.<\/span> O<\/span>ther sources of revenue <\/span>include<\/span> monitoring<\/span> and assessment fees,<\/span> grants<\/span>,<\/span> and<\/span> fees<\/span> to <\/span>participate<\/span> in <\/span>strategic projects<\/span> or access subscription-only resources, <\/span>such as the <\/span><\/span>Fair Compensation Dashboard<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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How does FLA ensure the voices of individual workers and labor unions are represented? <\/h2>\n \n <\/use>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n
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One of the most important components of FLA\u2019s multistakeholder model is the <\/span>Civil Society Organization<\/span> Caucus<\/span><\/a>, which includes labor unions and ensures that the perspective of workers is integrated into FLA\u2019s standards and programs.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>In addition, the <\/span>Third-Party Complaint<\/span><\/a> (TPC) system allows workers and worker representative organizations to report violations of labor rights in FLA member or affiliate facilities, helping, for instance, with reinstatement of unfairly dismissed workers and recognition of trade unions.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Beyond official investigations, FLA staff often are instrumental in assisting members with grievances before they become official investigations, and have worked with unions and worker organizations, factories, and member brands to effectively resolve labor grievances.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

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Membership and Affiliation <\/h2>\n
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What are the benefits of FLA membership? <\/h2>\n \n <\/use>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n
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FLA provides a collaborative platform for its members to work with \u2014 and learn from \u2014 global <\/span>brands<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>leading <\/span>universities<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>civil society organizations<\/span><\/a> that are committed to improving the lives of workers in global supply chains.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For socially responsible companies, FLA provides guidance, resources and practical tools, such as the <\/span>Fair Compensation Toolkit<\/span><\/a>, that help companies develop and implement systems to protect workers in their global supply chains. Through the process of pursuing <\/span>Fair Labor Accreditation<\/span><\/a>, companies also align their efforts with international frameworks, including Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Guidelines, European Union mandatory due diligence laws, and various environmental, social and governance assessments.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>FLA\u2019s University Caucus members demonstrate their commitment to fair labor standards and human rights in the supply chains of their branded merchandise. Through FLA\u2019s Collegiate Licensee Program, universities build the social compliance capacity of licensees to help prevent and address labor violations in supply chains producing products that feature university logo and trademarks.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Members of FLA\u2019s Civil Society Organization caucus help shape programs and policies that amplify workers\u2019 voices and hold companies accountable.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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How does FLA help companies achieve their human rights due diligence goals? <\/h2>\n \n <\/use>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n
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The systems and frameworks FLA Participating Companies use in their journey toward <\/span>Fair Labor Accreditation<\/span><\/a> also support compliance with mandatory human rights due diligence regulations.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, many components of FLA\u2019s Principles of Responsible Sourcing and Responsible Production <\/span>overlap with requirements<\/span><\/a> of the German Supply Chain Act, which establishes human rights and environmental due diligence standards to ensure that German companies responsibly manage their global supply chains.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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What is the difference between an FLA Participating Company, a Fair Labor Accredited Company, and an FLA Collegiate Licensee Affiliate? <\/h2>\n \n <\/use>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n
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Participating companies are FLA members that have committed to protect workers by developing processes that prevent, identify, and remediate labor rights abuses in their supply chains. These companies are on a rigorous, multi-year path to achieve <\/span>Fair Labor Accreditation<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Once a company sufficiently demonstrates to the FLA Board of Directors that it meets a set of milestones that mark progress in fair labor standards, it achieves Fair Labor Accreditation. Fair Labor Accredited companies are expected to continuously work to remain aligned with FLA\u2019s standards.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

FLA Collegiate Licensee Affiliates are required by FLA University Members to join FLA\u2019s rigorous knowledge-building program that promotes understanding of labor standards\u00a0 as they produce the clothes and products that bear university logos.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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How can my organization join FLA? <\/h2>\n \n <\/use>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n
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FLA welcomes participation from organizations committed to promoting fair labor around the world. Members include <\/span>civil society organizations<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>companies<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>universities<\/span><\/a> committed to protecting workers\u2019 rights through adherence to international labor standards.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To learn more about the requirements for each category of membership,<\/span> visit <\/span>Join FLA<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>FLA also offers knowledge-building programs designed to provide training, tools, and resources that help collegiate licensees and single-factory suppliers develop a sustainable social compliance program to improve working conditions and protect workers\u2019 rights.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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How does FLA hold members and affiliates accountable to their commitments? <\/h2>\n \n <\/use>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n
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As part of the <\/span>Fair Labor Accreditation<\/span><\/a> process, participating companies are required to report on their social compliance programs annually, and FLA-approved assessors evaluate the implementation of FLA\u2019s Fair Labor Code across their supply chains on a regular basis. All FLA reports are shared publicly, keeping members and affiliates accountable for their commitments.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, all farms and factories used by FLA member companies or affiliates participating in FLA\u2019s knowledge-building programs are subject to <\/span>Fair Labor Investigations<\/span><\/a>, which allow third parties, FLA members, or FLA itself to launch an investigation of alleged persistent or serious noncompliance with FLA standards.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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How can I find out if an organization is a member of FLA? <\/h2>\n \n <\/use>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n
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All current FLA members are listed in the <\/span><\/span>Member<\/span><\/span><\/a> section of FLA<\/span>\u2019s<\/span> website. <\/span>A list of former members is available upon request.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

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Accreditation<\/h2>\n

For more details, please visit our Accreditation-specific FAQ page<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Which organizations are eligible to seek Fair Labor Accreditation? <\/h2>\n \n <\/use>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n
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Pursuit of <\/span><\/span>F<\/span>air Labor <\/span>Accred<\/span>itation<\/span><\/span><\/a> is limited <\/span>to manufacturing<\/span> and<\/span> agricultural compan<\/span>ies<\/span> approved for membership by the FLA Board of Direct<\/span>ors<\/span>. <\/span>C<\/span>ompanies <\/span>that <\/span>produc<\/span>e<\/span> university merchandise<\/span> but do not meet the criteria to become a <\/span>member<\/span> are eligible to join FLA\u2019s Collegiate Licensee Program as affiliate<\/span>s<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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How does a company achieve Fair Labor Accreditation? <\/h2>\n \n <\/use>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n
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Fair Labor Accreditation<\/span><\/span><\/a> is a rigorous, multi-year process that evaluates a company\u2019s systems to improve labor conditions in its farms or factories based on <\/span><\/span>five milestones<\/span><\/span><\/a>. Each milestone <\/span>represents<\/span> key building blocks of an effective social compliance program that improves working conditions and worker well-being, ranging from a high-level commitment to fair labor practices to <\/span>implementation<\/span> of monitoring processes, grievance mechanisms, and remediation systems. Once a company meets all milestones and is accredited by the FLA Board of Directors, it <\/span>must continuously work to <\/span>maintain<\/span> alignment with FLA\u2019s standards.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Does Fair Labor Accreditation mean a company\u2019s products are guaranteed to be free of labor violations in their supply chains? <\/h2>\n \n <\/use>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n
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Fair Labor Accreditation<\/span><\/span><\/a> demonstrates that a company has processes in place to prevent, <\/span>identify<\/span>, and remediate <\/span>labor abuses across its <\/span>in<\/span>-scope<\/span> supply chain in alignment with international human rights frameworks. <\/span>It does not <\/span>mean that labor violation<\/span>s<\/span> never occur <\/span>in <\/span>the production of a company\u2019s goods<\/span>, but rather that the company is committed <\/span>to eliminating, as far as possible, any violations and providing access to remedy <\/span>should they <\/span>occur.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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What is the difference between Fair Labor Accreditation for manufacturing and agriculture companies? <\/h2>\n \n <\/use>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n
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Fair Labor Accreditation<\/span><\/a> for manufacturing companies sets a company on a concrete path to improving labor conditions in its Tier One and owned manufacturers, focusing on the key building blocks companies need for an effective social compliance program that improves working conditions and worker well-being in factories.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fair Labor Accreditation for agriculture companies is designed to verify and strengthen working conditions in the agricultural tiers of a company\u2019s global supply chain, with a focus on traceability of high-risk commodities across countries of operation. Agriculture benchmarks recognize the special circumstances of agriculture work, which ranges from farms with informal labor structures to farms that have formal employment relationships.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

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Miscellaneous<\/h2>\n
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What FLA resources are available to the public? <\/h2>\n \n <\/use>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n
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FLA shares public reports and <\/span>assessments<\/span><\/a> related to FLA members, including manufacturing and agriculture assessments, accreditation reports, investigations, and more.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

FLA also provides <\/span>resources<\/span><\/a> to help interested individuals understand global labor rights issues and take action to improve labor practices in supply chains worldwide, including issue briefs related to emerging or noteworthy developments in the areas of labor rights and global supply chains; in-depth guidance related directly to implementation of FLA standards and principles; and wage trend reports.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, FLA regularly issues <\/span>press statements<\/span><\/a> related to labor rights and distributes a quarterly public newsletter highlighting recent FLA resources, initiatives, and progress on key issues.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Does FLA offer programs for students? <\/h2>\n \n <\/use>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n
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Undergraduate and graduate students at FLA member colleges and universities in North America are eligible to apply for the <\/span>FLA Student Committee<\/span><\/a>, where they deepen their understanding of labor rights in global supply chains and access professional development opportunities. Student committee members can also choose to contribute to the annual <\/span>Student Committee Journal: Social Responsibility Topics of the 21st Century<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

FLA also provides administrative support for the <\/span>Eric Biel Fellowship for International Labor Rights<\/span><\/a>, which honors late FLA Senior Advisor Eric Biel. The Biel Fellowship provides an opportunity for students in law or graduate school to pursue practical work experience as they develop their skills to contribute to the advancement of international labor rights in the business and human rights space.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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What can consumers do to promote fair labor? <\/h2>\n \n <\/use>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n
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Consumers <\/span>can support<\/span> fair labor<\/span> by <\/span>researching and <\/span>making informed choices about the<\/span> companies that make the <\/span>products they <\/span>purchase<\/span>.<\/span> They can also take<\/span> initiative<\/span> by <\/span>filing <\/span>a <\/span><\/span>Third-Party Complaint<\/span><\/span><\/a>,<\/span> supporting <\/span>civil society <\/span>organization<\/span>s<\/span> working for labor rights,<\/span> or<\/span> participating<\/span> in <\/span>consumer <\/span>forums <\/span>that <\/span>help<\/span> raise concerns about <\/span>unfair <\/span>labor practices.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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How do I report wrongful termination and\/or workplace discrimination? <\/h2>\n \n <\/use>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n
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The FLA works on behalf of laborers in factories and on farms in global supply chains. Our\u202f<\/span>Fair Labor Investigations<\/span><\/b><\/a>\u202fteam investigates allegations of noncompliance with our standards in\u202fproduction facilities used by FLA member companies, suppliers, or university licensees only.\u202fIf your complaint falls within this scope, you can notify FLA of a violation of our standards via email at tpc@fairlabor.org or visit our \u201c<\/span>Contact Us<\/span><\/b><\/a>\u201d page and select \u201cThird Party Complaint.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately,\u202f<\/span>we are unable to\u202frespond to individual requests that fall outside of the scope of Fair Labor Investigations<\/span><\/b>\u202f\u2014 for example, wrongful termination, workplace discrimination, or other employment issues in the retail, food service, hospitality, or trucking industries.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you are facing a workplace issue, a\u202ffirst step might be to seek advice or assistance from a labor, employment, and\/or equal opportunity agency within your city or state.\u202fThe US Department of Labor has a <\/span>page with resources for each state<\/span><\/a>. You may also wish to visit the\u202f<\/span><\/b>Labor Laws and Worker Protection<\/span><\/b><\/a>\u202fsection of usa.gov or consult an employment attorney.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Where do I find information about registration and renewals for collegiate licensees? <\/h2>\n \n <\/use>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n
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If you are a licensee of any college or university that is an FLA member, your company is required to join FLA\u2019s Collegiate Licensee Program, which is designed to help licensees learn about and mitigate labor risks within their supply chains.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>collegiate licensee program <\/span>page<\/span><\/a> includes useful information about registration and renewals, including answers to questions about FLA requirements, benefits, and costs.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

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Don't see an answer to your question? <\/div>\n
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