Labor and human rights

While it is the duty of governments to protect the rights of their citizens, Boston Scientific recognizes that businesses also have a critical role to play. As a global medical device company, Boston Scientific respects and strictly adheres to all labor and human rights laws including, among others, those related to modern slavery, child labor, human trafficking, bribery, discrimination, harassment and pay equity. We strive to conduct our business ethically and in a way that demonstrates respect for globally recognized human rights and the dignity of all people, and we require the same of our contractors, our Supplier Guidebook mandates adherence to all human rights laws and labor standards, and requires that safe and healthy working conditions be maintained at all times.

The company’s commitment to embracing and advancing human rights is an integral part of our business. We believe that the similarities, the differences and the empowerment of our people allow us to sustain competitive advantages that lead to extraordinary business results. And we are committed to those beliefs because a truly inclusive work environment — one with a richness of backgrounds and perspectives — is one that respects and stands for human rights.

Boston Scientific believes that corporations have a responsibility to respect and protect human rights. Boston Scientific supports the U.N.’s foundational principles of human rights, including the following:

• Boston Scientific respects human rights, seeks to avoid the infringement upon the human rights of all people and seeks to address adverse human rights impacts on all people.
• In order to meet this responsibility, Boston Scientific has established appropriate policies and procedures that help it in fulfilling its responsibility to respect and advance human rights while enabling remediation whenever necessary. We expect the same of our contractors, suppliers and business partners across the globe.

The International Bill of Human Rights consists of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and its two Optional Protocols. Some basic tenets are as follows:

• “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood …”
• “No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms …”
• “Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment …”
• “Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work …”
• “Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring  for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity …”

Boston Scientific fully supports the U.N. International Bill of Human Rights.

Boston Scientific is committed to acting ethically in dealing with customers, employees, shareholders, partners, suppliers, competitors and the community and with respect for applicable laws. One way we make this happen is through the implementation of our Global Compliance Program, explained further here. The primary purpose of this program is to detect and prevent violations of laws, regulations and company policies, taking into account and tailoring the program to our unique environment. Our Code of Conduct is a cornerstone of our compliance program and provides guidance regarding business conduct and practices to all Boston Scientific team members.

Boston Scientific complies with United States and international human rights principles and conventions as explained in the Compliance and Ethics section of the Boston Scientific internet site. When reviewing existing or planned operations, human rights aspects are assessed under these criteria.

Boston Scientific provides a number of resources that employees and others can use to ask a question, obtain guidance or report a Code of Conduct concern. Read more about the Advice Line here.

Boston Scientific is unaware of any human rights violations perpetrated by the company, its employees and its affiliates in the past five years. In the event that Boston Scientific determined such a violation occurred, Boston Scientific would take swift and appropriate action to address the issue, as previously discussed.

Boston Scientific encourages employees to participate in human rights initiatives. Our collaboration with partners including historically Black colleges and universities, the Human Rights Campaign, Disability:IN, the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility and the Society of Women Engineers helps support hiring and development of talent from underrepresented groups. All employees participate in unconscious bias training and Boston Scientific has increased training for leaders to foster an understanding of microaggressions, the history of racism and how to champion diversity, equity and inclusion.

We are proud that our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts have been widely recognized. Learn more about our leadership awards and recognition here.

Learn more about how Boston Scientific fosters an environment of inclusion, equity and opportunity for all here.

At Boston Scientific, our work is guided by core values that define our culture and empower our employees, including Caring, Diversity, Global Collaboration, High Performance, Meaningful Innovation and Winning Spirit. As of December 31, 2022, we had approximately 45,000 employees. We believe the collective talent of our employees and our shared corporate culture and values give us a competitive edge.

Boston Scientific operates in accordance with the United States Department of Labor and International Labour Organization's (ILO) Core Conventions.

Boston Scientific seeks to recruit and employ local labor when it is compatible with company strategy and hiring needs, as well as product quality and regulatory requirements.

Boston Scientific prohibits all forms of child labor as prohibited by the United States Department of Labor, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and ILO Conventions C138 and C182 (Child Labour). Boston Scientific supports the rights of children to have access to education, health care and protection from criminal behavior. Boston Scientific, in accordance with local labor laws, does not tolerate managers, contractors or outside consultants who are found to be in violation of labor issues and such relationships may be terminated. We expect the same of our contractors, suppliers and business partners across the globe. Boston Scientific provides employees with regulated hours of work, rest periods and time off consistent with ILO Standards, Working Time and the United States Department of Labor, Work Hours. Boston Scientific prohibits all forms of forced labor or exploitative working conditions as prohibited by the United States Department of Labor, FLSA and ILO Conventions 29 and 105.

Boston Scientific supports the right of individuals to earn such a wage as to be able to afford goods or services for quality of life, food, utilities, transport, health care, education, childcare and personal recreation. This living wage may be in excess of the minimum wage rates and requirements by country. Boston Scientific strives to compensate all employees fairly for the skills and activities performed.

This aspect is addressed within the Boston Scientific Global Compliance Program, discussed on our website in the Compliance and Ethics section.

Boston Scientific is committed to following fair employment practices that provide equal opportunities to all employees. We do not discriminate or allow harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, military status or any other legally protected status. This is further described on the company’s internet page under Compliance and Ethics and in the Code of Conduct.

In the spirit of Articles 17 and 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, among others, Boston Scientific supports the right of individuals to join or leave groups of their choosing in accordance with their personal and social interests.

Boston Scientific adheres to the United States Department of Labor and ILO Standards conditions and regulations on collective bargaining.

Boston Scientific provides employees access to policies and information related to policies on the company’s intranet site. There is also regular communication and training on the policies and associated relevant changes. Related policies are also discussed on the company’s internet site under Compliance and Ethics and the Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct is available in multiple languages to ensure global employee access to this information.

Boston Scientific takes a global approach to prioritizing, executing and monitoring efforts to achieve EHS goals to help ensure employee safety and foster a safety-oriented culture in all of our offices and facilities. A commitment to employee health and safety is a prerequisite to our pursuit of patient care. A shared culture of ensuring the safety and health of our employees enables meaningful innovation and business success. As outlined in our Employee Health & Safety Policy, our strong health and safety performance contributes to competitive strength and benefits not only our employees, but also our customers, communities and shareholders.

Boston Scientific is committed to following fair employment practices that provide equal opportunities to all employees. We do not discriminate or allow harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, military status or any other legally protected status. Boston Scientific also values diversity and believes that a diverse workplace builds a true competitive advantage.

To ask questions or to report a concern about the company’s adherence to human rights laws and labor standards, individuals may use the Boston Scientific Advice Line. The Boston Scientific Advice Line handles calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week in multiple languages and may be accessed toll-free at 888-968-8425.