Business and Human Rights

Human rights risks can arise in any business – through direct operations, supply chains, or partnerships. Failure to prevent and address them exposes you to reputational damage and direct legal liability.

Subscribe to receive our insights.

Businesses face mounting pressure to identify and address human rights risks across their operations and supply chains. Allegations of child labor, forced labor, or workplace abuse frequently trigger cross-border disputes, reputational crises, and regulatory scrutiny. When the stakes are high, leading companies turn to us for guidance.

We support multinational businesses on human rights due diligence in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and national legislation, including the UK Modern Slavery Act, German Supply Chain Act, California Transparency in Supply Chains Act, and similar regulations worldwide. We also have extensive experience with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.

We help you understand and implement regulatory requirements. Where needed, we’ll go further into developing policies, procedures, and risk management systems that withstand both regulatory and public challenge.

Our work spans the full spectrum of issues you may encounter, and we have acted in some of the defining cases in this field globally. Let our technical and commercial experience inform your strategy – we understand how human rights risks crystallize, how cases are argued, and how to position you strongly before escalation occurs. Our services cover mandatory and voluntary human rights reporting; due diligence and risk assessment; crisis management and regulatory or internal investigations; remediation of harm through grievance mechanisms; and the defense of human rights claims and prosecutions worldwide.

Investigations, White Collar, and Fraud

Whistleblowing

Employment

Our global investigations team blends deep regulatory insight with practical experience to guide you through complex, sensitive matters – efficiently, discreetly, and aligned with your goals.

We support clients facing regulatory scrutiny; allegations of fraud, bribery, or corruption; sanctions breaches or money laundering; whistleblower complaints; and dawn raids, offering strategic advice to safeguard your business and reputation.

Our team includes former prosecutors, providing unique insight into enforcement strategy, criminal liability, regulatory breaches, and asset recovery. We advise executive boards and help design compliance programs aligned with global standards.

Local issues can escalate quickly. We manage multijurisdictional investigations and help you anticipate and respond to international risks, navigating the intersection of global law, regulation, and local enforcement.

Learn more

We work with clients in all sectors across the full spectrum of the whistleblowing lifecycle. Before an issue arises, we help our clients to design and implement policies and procedures that comply with local laws and regulations. When concerns are raised, our understanding of the potential implications allows us to quickly advise, ensure the first steps taken are precise, informed, and prepare you for what comes next.

Through a combination of legal excellence, global insight, and a strong commitment to ethical practices, we deliver strategic guidance on how to respond to whistleblowers. We conduct and support internal investigations in a way that meets legal obligations and best practices. Working through both global and local solutions tailored to the unique challenges our clients face.

Learn more

Your people are your greatest asset, and managing them in today’s global market is complex. We help you build work environments that support business goals, reduce risk, and resolve disputes efficiently. Our team speaks in straightforward terms and partners closely with clients to prevent issues before they arise.

The Hogan Lovells Employment team understands national, local, and multinational legal landscapes, as well as cultural sensitivities. We represent clients across industries, offering guidance that goes beyond legal advice.

While litigating disputes is generally a solution of last resort, our track record of success in court and before arbitration panels is unmatched. Whether you’re looking to restructure your organization, defend against pending litigation, or take any employment-related action in between, we are here to help – whenever and wherever you need us.

Learn more