The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has announced the release of two draft standards focused on how companies report labour issues, including measures to address discrimination and protect workers’ human rights.
GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards are among the most widely accepted global frameworks for sustainability disclosures. Developed to facilitate consistent reporting across various industries, these standards aim to improve communication on sustainability matters to diverse stakeholders, including investors. The standards are devised by the Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB).
The newly introduced draft standards include “Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity,” which addresses the causes of both direct and indirect discrimination, alongside a breakdown of recorded incidents. Additionally, the “Diversity and Inclusion” standard focuses on disclosures and metrics to enhance transparency regarding the integration of diversity and inclusion policies in organisational strategies and operations.
GRI’s labour standards are designed to enable organisations to publicly disclose their most significant impacts on workers and how they manage these impacts. The new draft standards are part of a broader review of GRI’s labour-related disclosures, initiated by the GSSB in 2022 as part of the organisation’s Labour Project. This project aims to revise eight labour-related standards, with the publication of new standards anticipated to begin from mid-2026. The standards cover key themes such as employment practices and conditions, career development, and workers’ rights and protection.
A public comment period for the two new draft standards is now open and will remain so until 15 September 2025. Interested parties can access the exposure drafts and consultation [here](https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/standards-development/topic-standards-project-for-labor/).
GSSB member Anne Lindsay emphasised the importance of this review, stating: “The GSSB designated a review of all GRI labour-related Standards as a priority, given the universal recognition that human rights must be protected, with employers required to demonstrate how they are respecting labour rights and safeguarding the wellbeing of workers. Diversity, inclusion, non-discrimination and equal opportunity are central themes when it comes to fair and inclusive employment. We urge all stakeholders – from workers’ representatives to employers and investors – to take part in this consultation to ensure that the revised GRI Standards are not only robust and practical, but capable of driving meaningful, lasting change for workers everywhere.”
