Human Rights
Basic Approach and Policy
Olympus supports the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the 10 Principles of the United Nations Global Compact. To put international initiatives into practice in our business activities, we have also clearly spelled out respect for human rights in the Olympus Global Code of Conduct. In addition, we have formulated the Olympus Group Human Rights Policy that stipulates the implementation of human rights due diligence based on the UN Guiding Principles. We strive to respect human rights in the management of our businesses. We also urge our customers and third parties promoting business activities with Olympus to comply with the protection of human rights.
Initiatives
Human Rights Due Diligence
In FY2021, Olympus became a member of Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), a global organization offering support to businesses in the field of human rights and sustainability, and we engage in global activities in the area of human rights due diligence in compliance with the UN Guiding Principles (UNGPs) on Business and Human Rights. In FY2022, Olympus implemented a human rights impact assessment that covered the entire Olympus Group, and based on the results of this assessment, established a mechanism to ascertain the status of the management of human rights issues internal to the Olympus Group in FY2023 and began conducting annual surveys in FY2024.
By conducting these surveys, Olympus confirms current conditions at the Olympus Group’s major companies in each country for nine items including forced labor, child labor, working hours, wages and benefits, discrimination and equal opportunity, elimination of harassment and violence, and freedom of association. The results of the surveys conducted in FY2024 and FY2025 confirmed that all companies managed the surveyed items properly in accordance with local laws and regulations.
Furthermore, in light of regulatory trends in various countries, in FY2023 we conducted a human rights impact assessment with the cooperation of BSR at a manufacturing site in Japan that manufactures medical devices. Based on the results, we identified the need for the establishment of human rights standards as reference for the Olympus Group. To address this issue, in accordance with the Olympus Global Code of Conduct and the Olympus Group Human Rights Policy, we commenced formulating the Olympus Group Human Rights Guidelines in FY2024 and completed the Guidelines in FY2025. These guidelines set forth the concrete requirements applicable to all Olympus Group companies, referencing international standards such as those of the ILO, in relation to eight human rights issues (working hours, wages and renumeration, harassment and violence, non-discrimination and equal opportunity, freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining, child and youth labor, forced labor, and occupational health and safety), as well as grievance mechanisms and remedies. We will link the Guidelines to survey items intended to ascertain the status of human rights management, and they will be used to identify and mitigate human rights risks. While working to raise awareness of respect for human rights throughout the Olympus Group, we will strive not just to comply with laws and regulations, but also to pursue higher standards and deepen our initiatives.
Olympus conducted global human rights awareness activities through the use of e-learning and other means to explain Olympus' responsibility to respect human rights in its supply chain and to provide an overview of the laws and systems in each country in FY2023. In Japan, 8,998 employees participated in this e-learning program (participation rate: 94%). Olympus will continue to carry out regular educational activities to improve the awareness of its employees regarding human rights.
Preventing Harassment and Promoting Inclusion
The Olympus Global Code of Conduct states that "Our Behaviors" are the expression of "Our Core Values" through our day-to-day activities. The Code of Conduct places the highest value on "Respectful Behavior." Our Inclusion Statement reinforces this by affirming our commitment to building a workplace where every individual—regardless of background, identity, or experience—is treated with respect, recognized for their contributions, and supported in achieving their full potential. Further, the Olympus Group does not tolerate harassment or discrimination based on personal characteristics. Olympus makes every effort to prevent workplace harassment by itemizing concrete prohibitions on sexual and other types of harassment in the employment regulations.
The Olympus Group has a implemented system to prevent any kind of harassment and, in case it occurs, to resolve it swiftly and quickly, which covers all Regions in the group.
Olympus and group companies in Japan have also established a Harassment Hotline in each business site and subsidiary as a preventive means and to provide a prompt and pertinent solution if a problem arises. Our Hotline officers are trained with the skills and knowledge to handle complaints appropriately, which include protecting the privacy of the consulter or harassment victim, ensuring consultation confidentiality, and preventing any adverse consequences from the consultation.
Since FY2019, we have delivered the Harassment Prevention Guidebook to all employees of the group companies in Japan. In this guidebook, a description of sexual minorities, such as LGBTQ, was also added to keep in line with the times, including power harassment, maternity, paternity, and sexual harassment involving LGBTQ. Accordingly, the coverage of our internal consultation manual has been revised and enhanced. In June 2020, the "Power Harassment Prevention Act" was enacted, mandating that companies must take preventative measures regarding harassment. In preparation for this and to avoid potential incidents we provide an e-learning course to help employees to understand the key points of the law and what constitutes power harassment.
We also hold regular harassment prevention training programs for managers, who are responsible for creating a culture of respect in the workplace, to widen their understanding and to ensure harassment-free offices.
Initiatives with Suppliers
The following page provides details on Olympus’s initiatives with its suppliers.
Response to the UK Modern Slavery Act
Olympus KeyMed, the Olympus Group company in the UK, has issued a statement in accordance with the provisions of Article 54, Clause 1, of the 2015 Modern Slavery Act in the UK.
Olympus UK and Ireland: Modern Slavery Statement (In English only) 