Ethical Sourcing

Our goal is to source and offer quality products for the campus community. Central to this goal is a belief that our product be made in a way that respects the people who manufacture it. It is a result of this commitment that we ensure that all merchandise bearing the marks of the University are sourced and produced under humane and non-exploitative conditions.

As an official licensed retailer for the University of Toronto, we and our suppliers and partners are mandated to uphold a code of conduct developed by the University when sourcing our products.

The code of conduct ensures that all partners adhere to the following standards and practices:

  1. Legal Compliance: Must comply with all applicable legal requirements of the country in which products are manufactured, including all applicable environmental laws.
  2. Ethical Principles: Commit to conduct business according to a set of ethical standards which include, but are not limited to, honesty, integrity, trustworthiness, and respect for the unique intrinsic value of each human being.
  3. Employment Standards: Workers are present to work voluntarily, are not at undue risk of physical harm, are fairly compensated, and are not exploited in any way.
  4. In addition:
  5. Wages and Benefits: Wages and benefits comply with all applicable laws and regulations and match or exceed the local prevailing wages and benefits in the relevant industry or which constitute a living wage, whichever provides greater wages and benefits.
  6. Working Hours: Except in extraordinary circumstances, employees shall (i) not be required to work more than the lesser of (a) 48 hours per week and 12 hours overtime per week, or (b) the limits on regular and overtime hours allowed by the law of the country of manufacture; and (ii) be entitled to at least one day off in every 7-day period.
  7. Overtime Compensation: In addition to their compensation for regular hours of work, employees shall be compensated for overtime hours at such a premium rate as is legally required in that country, but not less than at a rate equal to their regular hourly compensation rate.
  8. Child Labour: No person shall be employed at an age younger than 15 (or 14 where, consistent with International Labor Organization practices for developing countries, the law of the country of manufacture allows such exception). Where the age for completing compulsory education is higher than the standard for the minimum age of employment stated above, the higher age for completing compulsory education shall apply to this section.
  9. Forced Labour: There shall not be any use of forced labour, whether in the form of prison labour, indentured labour, bonded labour or otherwise.
  10. Health and Safety: Provide workers with a safe and healthy work environment and must, at a minimum, comply with local and national health and safety laws. If residential facilities are provided to workers, they must be safe and healthy facilities.
  11. Non-discrimination: Shall employ individuals solely on the basis of their ability to perform the job and may not discriminate against employees in subsequent personnel decisions. The pregnancy of an employee shall not be used as a basis for disciplinary treatment or termination of employment and shall use best efforts to reinstate workers who have taken maternity leave to the same or similar position at the same rate of pay and benefits. No employee or prospective employee shall be subjected to involuntary use of contraceptives or pregnancy testing.
  12. Harassment or Abuse: Every employee shall be treated with dignity and respect. No employee shall be subject to any physical, sexual, psychological or verbal harassment or abuse and will not use or tolerate any form of corporal punishment.
  13. Freedom of Association: Shall recognize and respect the right of employees to freedom of association and collective bargaining with bargaining representatives of their own choice. No employee shall be subject to harassment, intimidation or retaliation as a result of his or her efforts to freely associate or bargain collectively.

If you have any questions or comments about our practices, please feel free to email info@uoftbookstore.com.