The Oakwood Group - Our Ethics

We, at the Oakwood Group. (hereinafter "the Oakwood Group"), are committed to conducting our business ethically and in compliance with the laws of the United States and other countries in which we do business. We are an equal opportunity employer and provide safe, healthy working conditions for our employees. We seek to conduct business with suppliers and subcontractors that share our values.

As a clothing distributor, the Oakwood Group buys finished products from branded manufacturing or marketing companies and also manufactures its own brand name products. The Oakwood Group developed the "Global Operating Principles" in order to provide the following general, non-exhaustive list of expectations that we have of suppliers and subcontractors:

Forced Labor. the Oakwood Group will not [knowingly] purchase products from suppliers that use forced labor, prison labor, indentured labor or exploited bonded labor.
Child Labor. the Oakwood Group suppliers or subcontractors must certify they do not employ any person under the minimum age established by local law in accordance with U.S. standards, or at the age at which compulsory education has ended, whichever is greater.
Harassment or Abuse. the Oakwood Group will seek suppliers and subcontractors who treat their employees with respect and dignity. We will not utilize suppliers or subcontractors who subject workers to physical, sexual or psychological harassment or abuse.
Nondiscrimination. While the Oakwood Group recognizes and respects cultural differences, we believe that hiring, salary, benefits, advancement, termination or retirement should be based on an individual's qualifications and performance on the job, rather than on personal characteristics or beliefs. We will favor suppliers and subcontractors who share this value.
Health and Safety. The Oakwood Group seeks suppliers and subcontractors who provide a safe and healthy work environment. Companies that provide residential facilities for their workers must provide safe and healthy facilities.
Environmental Standards. We will only do business with companies that comply with local environmental laws.
Wages, Hours and Overtime. The Oakwood Group expects suppliers and subcontractors with whom we do business to offer wages, benefits and work conditions which are consistent with prevailing local industry standards. We also expect them to comply with all applicable wage and hour laws, rules and regulations, including those related to overtime.
Legal And Ethical Business Practices. The Oakwood Group expects its suppliers and subcontractors to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations of the United States and those of the respective country of manufacture or exportation, including, but not limited to, those relating to wages, hours, labor, health and safety, and immigration. The Oakwood Group will seek to identify and utilize companies that conduct business using ethical standards not inconsistent with our own.
Right of Inspection. The Oakwood Group shall, with reasonable notice, have the right to inspect suppliers' and subcontractors' facilities. During these visits, representatives may review working conditions, wages, age and number of workers; the condition of the building, its equipment and operating systems; and the safety of the facility.
Penalties. The Oakwood Group reserves the right to terminate its business relationship with any supplier or subcontractor who violates our Global Operating Principles.