Spotlight on transparency
L’Oréal incorporates ethics into its strategy and practices, focusing on its four strong ethical principles: Integrity, Respect, Courage and Transparency. Read on for a closer look at transparency and how it applies on a daily basis.
Why did L’Oréal choose to include transparency as one of its four ethical principles? And how is this principle implemented by the Group?
Transparency: the antidote to doublespeak
Being sincere and able to justify one’s actions and decisions is the foundation of a relationship based on trust. As part of the Group’s communication on its commitments and to highlight its zero-tolerance policy on harassment and bullying, sexual harassment and discrimination, the Chief Ethics Officer and the Executive Vice-President Human Relations issue a statement every year to transparently inform employees of the number of concerns raised on these subjects and how they were addressed. This sincere communication helps to strengthen a climate of justice and fairness, namely as measures taken apply at all levels of the company. The campaign is also part of the broader whistleblowing process at L’Oréal, called Speak Up, which encourages employees to freely express themselves on ethical questions, including when things go wrong.
The foundation of a relationship of trust with influencers
Outside the company, transparency means helping all of L’Oréal’s stakeholders (customers, suppliers, consumers, etc.) to better understand the way the Group works and its principles.
In a world where digital technology is constantly accelerating and where the use of social networks is increasingly common, the Group aims to build solid, long-term relationships with influencers. To that end, in 2019, L’Oréal published its Influencer Value Charter, which is based on transparency and mutual trust. The Charter lays out the parties’ commitments and shared values in an effort to develop transparent, respectful, professional relationships with influencers and, indirectly, with their audiences. In return, influencers agree to communicate authentically, to share the Group’s ethical principles and values, and to refrain from publishing – and confirm never having published – content contrary to the values of respect, tolerance and inclusion.
