Supply Chain Labor & Human Rights Policies

In alignment with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the International Labor Organization Core Conventions, we conduct human rights due diligence to avoid adverse human rights impacts, provide access to effective remedy, and partner with our vendors to promote human rights. 

Hiring practices

Inadequate hiring practices are one of the most common challenges encountered in the supply chain. When locations do not have a formal hiring process and controls in place, they are at higher risk of using unethical practices. Target expects all locations to have a functioning human resources department that enforces the policy that no candidate can be hired until approved by human resources. We do not allow exceptions, including those for temporary, migrant and contract workers. During the responsible sourcing audit, personnel records are reviewed and the hiring process is discussed with management.

Through this process, verification of established formal procedures ensuring review of age documentation, vetting of labor brokers and safeguarding of high-risk candidates are undertaken. Maintenance of standard personnel files for all workers where information is readily available is also confirmed. Finally, Target reviews that all locations are upholding the Employer Pays Principle, reiterating the expectation that the costs of recruitment are paid by the employer — not the worker. A follow-up audit is conducted to ensure that a formal hiring process has been implemented.

Forced labor

We are committed to working with supply chain partners and industry experts to prevent, identify and eradicate forced labor in our global manufacturing supply chains.

We identify risk of forced labor through audits and a variety of risk intelligence sources. We also closely monitor and collaborate with NGOs and other brands to identify and mitigate these risks. If we find credible indicators of forced labor at any location, we prioritize worker well-being, which means that where possible, we strive to remediate. If remediation is unsuccessful or not possible, we deactivate the location so that it is no longer eligible to produce for Target. See our annual California Transparency in Supply Chains Act disclosure for more information. 

Any parties wishing to report concerns related to forced labor at any Target or Target-affiliated location may use the Target Integrity Hotline (see below). 

Underage labor 

As articulated in the Target underage labor policy found in the Standards of Vendor Engagement (SOVE), Target does not tolerate underage labor practices. We work closely with industry partnerships and multi-stakeholder initiatives alongside peer brands that share the common goal of eliminating underage labor. If underage labor is discovered within our owned brand supply chain, we partner with the Centre for Child Rights and Business to support remediation where possible.  

If remediation is unsuccessful or not possible, we deactivate the location for non-compliance. In all cases, we do not accept any merchandise in production if we believe the merchandise was made with underage labor.  

Migrant labor 

We expect all workers, including foreign and migrant workers, to be provided wages, benefits and working conditions that are fair, comparable to local workers and in accordance with local law. We do not condone holding workers’ passports or other personal documents, charging any type of fee or deposit for employment, allowing labor agents or brokers to charge fees or engaging in deceptive recruitment practices. We review these policies in detail during our audit process and expect our suppliers to share these views and comply.

Discipline 

Target expects that all employees are to be treated with dignity and respect. Target will not knowingly work with suppliers or locations who use physical abuse or intimidation against their workers. If corporal punishment is identified, we consider it a zero-tolerance violation. 

Discrimination 

We respect cultural and individual differences, and discrimination is not tolerated. Suppliers and locations are expected to maintain a discrimination-free workplace and to employ workers based upon their abilities, rather than their race, color, sex, pregnancy status, gender identity, marital status, political opinions, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, social origin, national origin or any other characteristics unrelated to an individual’s ability to perform the work required by the job. We also prohibit the use of pregnancy testing as a condition of employment or as a reason to terminate employment. 

Working hours and time off 

Target expects a 60-hour maximum work week, including overtime, in all locations. We also expect workers to receive a minimum of one full rest day after six consecutive workdays. All locations must use an effective timekeeping system to ensure timecards are accurate and completed by the employees themselves. During an audit, the auditor will review recent payroll records, cross-checking timecards to make sure they are accurate and in accordance with local law and Target standards. If violations are identified, we consider them critical under the Responsible Sourcing Program.  

Excessive working hours is a widespread practice in many parts of the world. Workers often comply in order to earn higher wages but are not always paid the appropriate legal overtime. Many factors lead to excessive working hours, including company purchasing decisions that impact production deadlines. Target asks suppliers to communicate production challenges so that we can partner with sourcing team members to develop solutions and prevent recurrences.  

We consider transparency of paramount importance and in exceptional cases, when locations demonstrate transparency, we may continue to do business with a location with excessive overtime violations if it can be established to our satisfaction that the overtime was voluntary, paid at a premium and where a corrective action plan has been agreed to that will eliminate instances of non-compliance in the future. If a location cannot comply with local law or attempts to circumvent Target's requirements through falsification, forgery or withholding information, the location will be deactivated for a minimum of six months. 

Payment of wages 

Target has a firm stance on the payment of wages and will not tolerate when locations or suppliers do not follow local law and our standards related to the payment of wages.

During an audit, the assessor does a thorough review of timecard and payroll records to ensure workers were paid legal wages for all the hours they worked, including regular, overtime, holiday and vacation wages and that those wages were timely paid. Also during an audit, the assessor discusses the wage policy with management and makes sure employees understand their wages, benefits and deductions. We also make sure they have access to their own records to verify their hours and wages, and that they know with whom to discuss discrepancies. We consider wage violations critical.

Responsible exit and decline  

We have guidance for suppliers and Target team members to follow when fully exiting or declining business at a location, which we formalized in 2024.  

Grievance mechanisms 

We are committed to providing Target team members, workers in our supply chain, community members and other stakeholders with access to effective grievance mechanisms. These mechanisms are an important aspect of our ongoing human rights due diligence, and our strategic focus on promoting workers’ voices and well-being. We believe the most effective way to ensure respect for human rights and good working conditions is to enable and empower individuals to speak up. 

We expect our suppliers to share any ethical concerns or potential misconduct so that we can investigate and address concerns promptly. The Target Integrity Hotline is available to confidentially report issues related to the SOVE, ethical concerns or business misconduct. The call is free and handled by an independent third party, and local language interpreters are available 24 hours a day.  

We do not share or publish specific grievances or specific issues raised and do not tolerate any retaliation against any team member who reports in good faith. 

View Target's Integrity Hotline Reporting Website 

Integrity Hotline Numbers

• US: 1-800-541-6838

• India: 000-800-100-1657 

• Reverse Dial: 470-219-7116

In 2022, Target partnered with Article One to create an in-depth training experience for our sourcing team members worldwide. Delivered through both a self-paced e-module and in a train-the-trainer format, the training provides an overview of business and human rights and Target’s approach, including our Human Rights Statement and due diligence efforts across our business operations and supply chain. The training is intended to deepen understanding of human rights issues and to recognize the importance of having effective grievance mechanisms in place for all workers in our supply chain. 

Target continues to explore opportunities to increase awareness and accessibility of reporting options and drive comfort in using the reporting options provided, including the use of third-party helplines.  

Third-party helplines 

We support suppliers in collecting data on grievance types, resolution and mechanism channels, and through third-party helplines associated with our audit program partners, enhancing effectiveness and worker engagement. Examples of third-party helplines include: 

• Nirapon
• ESCP
• LABS

Grievance lifecycle

Once a grievance is raised, Target leverages a strict triage process to ensure issues are addressed and/or investigated by the appropriate, qualified team. For supply chain investigations, we use a combination of internal and third-party investigators depending on the issue and region. Complaints received are thoroughly reviewed and investigated. Factories are prohibited from retaliating against third-party workers, who may remain anonymous, for reporting any potential violations of our SOVE. Grievances are managed from intake to resolution. Additionally, we recognize our responsibility to exercise influence through our business relationships and build leverage with others to address issues deeper in our supply chain where we may not have direct business relationships.

This specific analysis of human rights impacts is integrated into our existing routine for handling cases and incidents. To prevent reoccurrence, we have ongoing monitoring programs in place to assess progress, incentivize suppliers that share our ambition for responsible and sustainable business practices through more business, and encourage engagement in various programs at local and global levels.  

Outcomes of remedy 

Target has enacted extensive remediation policies and practices to respond to human rights violations and impacts. When a grievance is identified as founded, Target will engage with its business partners to remediate any and all adverse impacts. In some cases, we will partner with globally recognized nonprofit organizations such as Verité, Impactt and The Centre for Child Rights and Business to support capability building and remediation of complex workplace human rights issues, to be sure that we are providing the most effective solution. 

Health and safety review  

Health and safety violations have been a major focus of Target's Responsible Sourcing Program. The assessor conducts an in-depth review of a location’s health and safety practices across all buildings, reviewing fire safety equipment and preparedness to worker safety, such as clean locations, the availability of personal protective equipment, chemical safety and employee training. An assessor will identify any violations during the tour of the location and explain procedures for making and sustaining corrections. The assessor also will review health and safety training records and ensure that a location has a schedule to provide regular training to workers. 

Target emphasizes the importance of having measures in place to ensure that the location’s workers know what to do in an emergency, as well as policies and procedures to prevent emergencies.  

Target was a founding member of the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety. The Alliance, which helped improve fire safety, electrical safety and the structural integrity of buildings, audited all locations used by Target in Bangladesh. Additionally, the Alliance also provided worker training on fire safety and has launched a helpline for workers to express safety concerns in Bangladesh. This health and safety capability building work was taken over by NIRAPON in 2018, of which Target was a founding board member. NIRAPON seeks to advance health and safety in Bangladesh by promoting safety, systems and education with factories and members.  

Sandblasting 

Since 2012, Target has banned the use of sandblasting on all Target-brand apparel due to health concerns associated with silica exposure. In 2023, we expanded the scope of our policy to include all sandblasting, regardless of the industry or brand. Target defines sandblasting as any abrasive blasting with a media that contains crystalline silica.

Exceptions may be granted for processes that use a very low-silica content media; when blasting occurs with engineering controls to reduce worker exposure; and when the location has adequate respiratory protection programs including appropriate personal protective equipment, regular air testing and worker medical monitoring appropriate to the hazard. 

Conflict minerals policy 

Target supports the humanitarian goals of the U.S. Conflict Minerals Rule and recognizes the adverse impact of the mining and trade of columbite-tantalite (coltan), cassiterite, gold, wolframite and the derivatives tantalum, tin and tungsten (collectively, “3TG”) by armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its adjoining countries (the "Covered Countries"). Target encourages its suppliers to source 3TG responsibly. Target seeks to neither finance nor benefit those armed groups directly or indirectly. Target will not knowingly purchase or sell any owned or exclusive brand products that contain 3TG that finances armed conflict in the Covered Countries.

Target also recognizes that there are many smelters and refiners that source from the Covered Countries whose activities do not finance or benefit armed groups and who are certified as “Conformant” by the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI). In order to avoid the undue harm to local populations that a generalized embargo upon this region could perform, Target encourages vendors to identify Conformant smelters and refiners within the Covered Countries and to source from them when commercially practicable.

Target requires its owned brand and exclusive brand product suppliers to: 

1. Adopt a policy related to 3TG sourcing that is consistent with Target’s Conflict Minerals Policy and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas: Third Edition, including the Supplement on Tin, Tantalum and Tungsten and the Supplement on Gold.
2. Complete a Conflict Minerals Reporting Template, which is the standard form developed by RMI for gathering information regarding 3TG usage and related sourcing procedures.
3. Exercise due diligence in seeking upstream information to support vendor responses to the questions in the Conflict Minerals Reporting Template.
4. Use smelters and refiners certified by RMI as "Conformant," but avoid a generalized embargo on smelters and refiners in the Covered Countries.
5. Make available the due diligence used in determining the source of its 3TG upon Target’s request.

Cotton origin policy 

As part of our Responsible Sourcing Program, Target regularly evaluates risks associated with countries and regions of production, raw materials, supply chain traceability, evolving legal requirements, and other business considerations. Based on these assessments, Target may establish sourcing restrictions for specific materials, countries, or regions to support compliance with applicable laws, mitigate supply chain risk, advance responsible sourcing objectives, or address other business considerations. 

Target does not accept: 

• Products containing cotton originating from countries or regions that Target has designated as prohibited under its sourcing requirements. 

Suppliers are responsible for maintaining appropriate due diligence and supply chain traceability to demonstrate compliance with this policy and any additional Target sourcing requirements. 

Products that do not comply with this policy constitute a breach of Target's sourcing requirements and may result in remedies available under the applicable Conditions of Contract, including rejection of merchandise, cancellation of orders, or other contractual remedies.