Overview
Steptoe partner Yousuf Aftab appeared on BMO's "Sustainability Leaders" podcast to discuss how companies can benefit from strategic, collaborative approaches to human rights governance.
Yousuf discussed his work on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and shared his approach to advising companies. He noted the challenge of managing stakeholder expectations while navigating complex regulatory environments. He also highlighted the importance of companies developing tailored human rights policies that reflect their operational footprint, supply chain, and organizational culture.
Yousuf explained that risk management often drives companies to develop human rights policies, but emphasized that companies should also recognize the opportunity in stakeholder engagement and value-driven governance. Yousuf stated: "We've talked a lot about risk, and it’s natural to talk about risk in this space, but there's also a lot of opportunity. And that opportunity is the element (…) that has to do with actually recognizing that you, as a company, are doing good and having an impact. There's also an opportunity to build relationships with key stakeholders that pay dividends, there's an opportunity in terms of building a brand." Yousuf encouraged companies to adopt collaborative approaches aligned with voluntary standards to manage legal risks and build long-term stakeholder trust.
Listen to Yousuf's appearance on "Sustainability Leaders" here.
