Sodexo has been actively managing its risks for a long time. The legal requirements regarding the Duty of Vigilance therefore reflect the values and actions long championed by the Group and its founder, Mr. Pierre Bellon.
In accordance with French law, the Vigilance Plan presents the measures put in place within the Group to identify risks and prevent serious impacts in terms of (i) human rights and fundamental freedoms, (ii) individual health and safety, and (iii) environmental damages that may result from the Group’s activities and those of its subcontractors and suppliers.
As Sodexo operates in 45 countries in a variety of complex economic and socio-cultural contexts, it adapts its approach to the above issues in accordance with its different businesses and host countries. The Vigilance Plan covers Sodexo and its subsidiaries’ activities and is perfectly in line with its corporate responsibility roadmap.
In addition, the Group has put in place a dedicated governance system relating to ethics and compliance issues, as described in section 7.3.3. The Ethics Department coordinates the duty of vigilance within the Group and ensures the integration of vigilance issues into existing processes the Ethics Department is also responsible for managing the Speak Up alert system, a collection and reporting mechanism required by law. This system is accessible to our employees and our external stakeholders.
The subjects relating to the Duty of Vigilance are cross-functional and also involve numerous teams: social and environmental responsibility, purchasing, legal, internal control, internal audit, human and operational resources. In addition, customers, suppliers and subcontractors are also involved in this work.
No one can be exemplary if they are not exemplary within their own organization. Sodexo is committed to ensuring common standards for all and this commitment is set out in our Better Tomorrow 2025 plan, in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and our declaration on fundamental human rights.
The following diagram details the measures implemented by the Group in accordance with the obligations concerning the three categories of issues.
