Assess your impacts

Identify the human rights-related impacts caused by your business operations - Step by step!

 
Phase 1: Business scoping

Define your relevant products with a specific geographical scope and identify your key business partners.

Step 1.1: Country selection

Select your most relevant country based on passenger volume (PAX), strategic importance for your company and existing contacts.

Step 1.2: Products & destinations

Identify up to three typical products and destinations in the selected country to narrow the scope of your assessment.

Step 1.3: Business partner mapping

Map your value chain to identify your relevant business partners to be consulted during the on-site assessment.

Step 1.1: Country selection

Select your most relevant country based on passenger volume (PAX), strategic importance for your company and existing contacts.

How to select your most relevant country?

1. List the priority countries of your business (up to 10 countries) in the table below. 

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  • Identify the most relevant countries for your business based on passenger volume (PAX).

2. Rate your passenger volume (PAX) in the selected countries (from high to low).

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  • Get an overview of how many of your customers have travelled to the selected countries in the last 3 years.

3. Evaluate the strategic importance of the selected countries (from high to low).

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  • Which of the countries listed are strategically more important for your company for other reasons than passenger volumes (e.g. historic relationships of your company with the country ("flagship country"), expected growth market, recent/expected political changes, other reasons)?

4. Evaluate the amount and quality of your existing contacts in the selected countries (from high to low).

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  • Rate your relationship with local partners (usually incoming agents) in each country from high (strong relationship/own incoming agent) to low (loose network of ad-hoc partners).

NOW choose the country with the highest ranking to conduct the human rights impact assessment.

You might also decide to conduct a human rights impact assessment based on evidence of human rights issues linked to one of your destinations.

Step 1.2: Products & destinations

Identify up to three typical products and destinations in the selected country to narrow the scope of your assessment. Select different product categories and destinations most relevant in the selected country.

How to identify your most relevant products and destinations?

1. Select a typical product and enter a product name in the table below ("Business partner mapping").

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Enter a name based on the products offered in your catalogue or on your company website.

2. Choose up to three product categories that are most relevant for your business in the selected country (e.g. "beach" and/or "culture").

3. Select an exemplary destination for each product category based on products that you are offering (e.g. destination "Phuket" for product category "beach").

4. For each of your chosen products, select all types of suppliers that are relevant (e.g. domestic transport, lodging, restaurant etc.).

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  • The supplier types are defined in the "get started" tool.
  • Contact relevant colleagues in your organisation if you need help mapping your value chain.

5. Repeat the above steps to define up to three products to be assessed.

Step 1.3: Business partner mapping

Map your value chain to identify your relevant business partners to be consulted during the on-site assessment. Ask relevant colleagues in your organisation for help if needed.

How to identify relevant business partners to be consulted?

1. Collect the contact details of business partners for each supplier type relevant for the selected products.

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  • Include at least two contact details of business partners for each supplier type as listed in the previous step (if possible).

2. Identify internal colleagues to be involved during or prior to the assessment.

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Click on the Excel or CVS link below for an overview of the data you have entered during the business scoping.

NOW you have a list of business partners that can be consulted during the on-site assessment.

 
Phase 2: Human rights scoping

Get an overview of potential and actual human rights issues and identify relevant stakeholders.

Step 2.1: Identification of potential human rights issues

Identify the potential human rights issues to guide your stakeholder mapping and desk research.

Step 2.2: Stakeholder mapping

Based on the potential human rights issues previously identified, make sure you find relevant stakeholders who can provide you with expert information on these topics in the context of your assessment.

Step 2.3: Guidance for desk research

Conduct desk research to get destination-specific information on identified human rights issues and understand the regulatory context.

Step 2.1: Identification of potential human rights issues

Identify the potential human rights issues to guide your stakeholder mapping and desk research.

How to identify potential human rights issues?

1. Identify the potential human rights issues linked to selected products and destinations as defined during the previous phase of the "Business scoping".

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  • Study the table below to understand which potential human rights issues might appear for each of the selected products, including their value chains.
  • Click on the links of the human rights risks to get more information about the potential issues in the "get started" tool.
Step 2.2: Stakeholder mapping

Based on the potential human rights issues identified in the previous step, make sure you find relevant stakeholders who can provide you with expert information on these topics in the context of your assessment.

How to identify relevant stakeholders to be consulted?

1. Find stakeholders with specific expertise, based on your product selection and prioritised human rights issues in the previous step.

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  • Use the Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism as a starting point to identify relevant stakeholders who could provide you with more information on the human rights issues identified. Check the provided template for stakeholder mapping to identify further stakeholders.
  • Select at least two stakeholders for each human rights issue identified and with knowledge of the human rights context in the chosen destination.
  • Try to include different types of stakeholders (e.g. international organisations (IO), local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society actors).
  • Try to find stakeholders who have specific expertise in the selected destinations (e.g. on Phuket) or on the products in scope (e.g. on "cultural tourism").
  • If you're struggling to find relevant local stakeholders, contact your network (e.g. the Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism) and/or international stakeholders to help you find local experts. (Or check the provided template list of relevant international stakeholders assigned to specific human rights issues to identify other relevant stakeholders.)

2. Pre-consultation of stakeholders. 

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  • Some of the stakeholders you might want to contact prior to the on-site assessment to support your desk research in the next step and/or to receive contact details of other relevant stakeholders on the ground.
Step 2.3: Guidance for desk research

Conduct desk research to get destination-specific information on identified human rights issues and understand the regulatory context. The overview supports your preparation for the on-site assessment. It further supports the previous step "Stakeholder mapping".

How to conduct your desk research?

1. Search the internet for information on selected destinations and products and the potential human rights issues identified.

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  • List the information gathered during your desk research using the template for desk research provided. This template helps you to have a structured approach to your desk research.
  • Try to find publicly available information (destination- or product-specific, if possible) related to all potential human rights issues identified in the previous step of "Identification of potential human rights issues". Have there been any media reports, studies or activities on specific human rights-related topics in the destinations?
  • Find the relevant regulatory framework in the country selected for the assessment.
  • If you are struggling to find relevant information, contact the experts identified in the previous step "Stakeholder mapping".

BY NOW you understand the human rights context in the selected destination and the stakeholders you may talk to during the on-site assessment.

 
Phase 3: Preparation

Define the exact scope of your assessment, select the stakeholders to be consulted, develop an assessment plan and prepare the consultations.

Step 3.1: Selection of stakeholders

Select the stakeholders to be consulted during the on-site assessment.

Step 3.2: Assessment team & on-site schedule

Set up your assessment team and develop your detailed schedule for the on-site assessment.

Step 3.3: Preparation of consultations

Prepare your consultations by developing different questionnaires for each stakeholder group.

Step 3.1: Selection of stakeholders

Select the stakeholders to be consulted during the on-site assessment. The step "Stakeholder mapping" indicates which stakeholders to be potentially consulted during the on-site schedule.

How to select the stakeholders to be consulted?

1. Prior to conducting your on-site assessment, you need to select and prioritise the most relevant stakeholders to be consulted. 

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Check the guidance document on "How to select and prioritise your stakeholders?" for further support.

2. Consider the following criteria for your stakeholder selection:

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  • Make sure a broad range of stakeholder types are consulted, check the previous step "Stakeholder mapping".
  • Find a good balance between business partners, NGOs, and other stakeholder groups.
  • Make sure to consult at least two stakeholders per identified issue.
  • Pay special attention to vulnerable rights-holder and/or legitimate representatives, including NGOs and civil society actors, as well as workers’ representatives. Check the guidance document provided for further instructions on "Who are legitimate representatives?".
  • Consider the availability and accessibility of selected stakeholders when planning and conducting your interviews.
Step 3.2: Assessment team & on-site schedule

Set up your assessment team and develop your detailed schedule for the on-site assessment.

How to select your assessment team and develop your on-site schedule?

1. Carefully select the members of the assessment team to make sure you get the best out of the on-site consultations. This includes ensuring that:

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  • The assessment team has relevant inter-disciplinary skills and expertise in the given context, and is culturally and gender-sensitive.
  • The assessment team has enough time, management support and other resources necessary to effectively conduct an on-site assessment.
  • Check the guidance document provided for instructions on "What are the criteria for selecting the assessment team?".

2. Develop a realistic and detailed on-site schedule listing all the planned consultations.

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  • Use the template for an on-site schedule to establish your detailed schedule.
  • Determine the time required for each consultation.
  • When planning the assessment make sure you allocate enough time for a daily debriefing with the assessment team and to summarize the information collected.
  • Organize the logistics, including travel, accommodation, venues, etc.
  • A great extent of flexibility on the ground is needed in order to react spontaneously to changes in the timetable and to take up new interview opportunities that arise.
  • Organize a kick-off event with your local team/main partner (e.g. incoming agent) to present your on-site schedule.
  • Organize a closing event to present the first results to your local team. Decide if you also want to invite rights-holders and relevant stakeholders.
Step 3.3: Preparation of consultations

Prepare your consultations by developing different questionnaires for each stakeholder group.

How to prepare your consultations?

1. Develop interview guides (questionnaires) for different stakeholder groups and select suitable interview methods for each consultation (e.g. focus group interview, individual interview, informal ad-hoc consultation etc.).

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2. Select the location of the interview carefully to create the most appropriate atmosphere.

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3. Develop a grievance mechanism for interview partners.

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  • Create a business card with a trustable contact which can be distributed to all interviewees if they wish to get in touch after the consultation without fearing repercussions.

NOW you are well prepared to travel to the selected destination and start your consultation process.

 
Phase 4: On-site assessment

Consult stakeholders in the selected destination considering the vulnerability of the rights-holders.

Step 4.1: Conducting consultations

Select different and appropriate techniques to consult relevant stakeholders most effectively. Allow sufficient time and explain the objectives of the assessment.

Step 4.2: Things to consider during on-site consultations

Build trust with the participants and show cultural sensitivity and understanding when conducting the interviews.

Step 4.1: Conducting consultations

Select different and appropriate techniques to consult relevant stakeholders most effectively. Allow sufficient time and explain the objectives of the assessment.

How to conduct consultations with relevant stakeholders?

1. Use different approaches and interview methods (e.g. focus group interview, individual interview, informal ad-hoc consultation) to consult the different stakeholder groups most effectively.

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  • Choose between individual interviews and focus group discussions (e.g. with religious organisations, NGOs, indigenous groups etc.).
  • The two guidance documents on "How to conduct an individual interview?" and "How to conduct focus group discussions?" provide you with important information on how to prepare and conduct different types of interviews.
  • Limit the number of participants in focus group interviews to a maximum of 10.
  • See also the guidance materials in the previous step "Preparation of consultations" for further information.

2. Take enough time for each interview.

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  • Consider time for transportation between different interview locations.
  • See also the guidance material in the previous step "Assessment team & on-site schedule".

3. Summarize the interview at the end of the consultation.

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  • Use the template provided to summarize the interviews.
Step 4.2: Things to consider during on-site consultations

Build trust with the participants and show cultural sensitivity and understanding when conducting the interviews.

What to consider during on-site consultations?

1. Build the participants’ trust at the beginning of the interview.

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  • Explain the objectives of the assessment, how the information will be used, and what type of material will be produced with the information. See also "Preparation of consultations" in Phase 3 for further information.

2. Always conduct the interviews in a gender- and conflict-sensitive way.

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3. Follow specific rules while interviewing vulnerable groups.

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4. Try to meet in a place the interviewee is familiar with and feels comfortable.

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  • Arrange the seating in a circle or around a table where everyone can have eye contact.
  • Mix the members of the assessment team with the people being interviewed when choosing the seating arrangement.

WELL DONE. Now you have collected a lot of information that needs to be analysed.

 
Phase 5: Analysis & follow-up measures

Code and analyse your findings, determine appropriate follow-up measures and communicate your findings and the next steps.

Step 5.1: Coding & analysing findings

Code the information collected during the consultations and analyse the findings to identify areas of intervention and prepare your final assessment report.

Step 5.2: Follow-up measures

Determine appropriate follow-up measures to address the impacts identified.

Step 5.3: Reporting & communication

Write an impact assessment report and communicate publicly about the findings of your on-site assessment and measures taken to mitigate further risks.

Step 5.1: Coding & analysing findings

Code the information collected during the consultations and analyse the findings to identify areas of intervention and prepare your final assessment report.

How to code and analyse the information collected?

1. Code the findings, verify conflicting information and fill in the gaps.

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  • Cluster the information gathered in the interviews according to human rights issues as described in the guidance document on "How to code the findings?" and collect the relevant data in the template coding table provided. Differentiate between positive and negative impacts.
  • Identify conflicting facts and information gaps. Conduct additional desk research or consultations if needed.
  • List additional issues raised by the stakeholders consulted that go beyond the predefined human rights issues.
  • Discard data that is not relevant.

2. Analyse the information.

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  • Study the coded findings, identify possible explanations (root causes) and preliminary conclusions. Discuss and validate them with the assessment team and other relevant stakeholders if appropriate.
  • List the main issue areas and (potentially) affected rights-holders.
  • Prioritise the identified human rights issue areas according to the severity of their impact on people. Check the guidance material provided on "How to prioritise human rights issues according to severity?".
Step 5.2: Follow-up measures

Determine appropriate follow-up measures to address the impacts identified.

How to determine appropriate follow-up measures?

1. Evaluate your ability to influence ('leverage').

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  • For each impact area identified, evaluate your ability to influence the situation on the ground. This will help you identify follow-up measures in a second step.
  • Use the concept of 'leverage' as described in the guidance document on "How to identify leverage?".

2. Define follow-up measures for the main issues identified.

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  • Start with the most severe issues you have prioritized already to identify follow-up measures. Use guidance material on "How to prioritise human rights issues according to their impact severity?" if you need help in knowing where to start.
  • There may be issues you can influence directly (or where your leverage is high) and where you can take action as a company alone.
  • For areas where your ability to influence is limited, find (local) partners to collaborate with. Check if people contacted throughout the assessment might be interested in collaborating on specific topics.
  • For each impact area list the measures identified in the template action plan provided. Get inspired by the "take action" section of the "get started" tool to find ideas of potential measures you can take.
  • To support the steps above and to gain a better overview on the severity of the human rights issues identified, and your ability to influence ('leverage') them, use the guidance on "How to identify follow-up measures?" to create a matrix accordingly.

3. Establish an action plan with targets and indicators for monitoring and reporting on the implementation of follow-up measures.

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  • Based on the list of measures created above, and discussions with potential partners, create a comprehensive action plan to address each of the issue areas identified. Use the template action plan to gather the identified measures. Check the guidance material on "How to establish indicators for the monitoring?".
  • Include actions you can integrate and mainstream in your business processes (e.g. sourcing policy) as well as follow-up measures in the respective country or destination.
  • Add clear timelines, targets, indicators and responsibilities for the implementation of the action plan.
  • Continuously monitor the implementation of the action plan and consult with local stakeholders where relevant.
Step 5.3: Reporting & communication

Write an impact assessment report and communicate publicly about the findings of your on-site assessment and measures taken to mitigate further risks.

How to write a report and communicate about the findings?

1. Write a final assessment report.

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  • Write an executive briefing of your findings for internal use. Use the guidance material on "How to write an assessment report?" to get helpful information and enter the data in the template action plan provided.
  • Review your report with a group of relevant internal and external stakeholders.

2. Communicate the findings and measures to rights-holders and other relevant stakeholders in an appropriate and accessible way.

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  • Translate the report into local languages and provide non-technical summaries.
  • Publish the findings of the assessment report on your company’s website.
  • Disseminate your report to relevant business partners, other companies in the same sector operating in the region and civil society actors.
  • Use the guidance document to get helpful information on "How to communicate your findings?".

Congratulations, you have successfully completed your human rights impact assessment!