Domini, ICCR and New York City kick off responsible investment collaboration on COVID19, with PRI to follow

Domini Impact Investments, the Interfaith Centre for Corporate Responsibility, and the Office of the New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer are leading a call for investee companies to protect employees, customers and suppliers through the current COVID19 crisis.

As part of their “investor statement on coronavirus response”, the trio urge other investors to join them in asking companies “to stand with us and take bold action to mitigate the worst threats to our society and markets”.

BMO Global Asset Management has signed up to the letter, according to its website, but it is unclear how many others have done so currently.

The full letter, which appears to be only at draft stage, is published on Domini's website, and reads:

“We are # long-term institutional investors representing $XX in assets under management with global exposure across capital markets. We recognize the long-term viability of the companies in which we invest is inextricably tied to the welfare of their stakeholders, including their employees, suppliers, customers and the communities in which they operate. As such, we call on these management teams and boards of directors to join us in facing this unprecedented threat. The long-term consequences of COVID-19 are difficult to imagine at this early stage. What we do know, however, is that the virus will strain all our global social and financial systems.

Millions of working people will face impossible hardships as COVID-19 shuts down schools, workplaces, hourly employment, transportation and more. We also know that vulnerable communities are the most at risk as they have limited access to social safety nets and financial resources to weather this uncertain period. While we all face considerable challenges in this environment, there are things we can do to protect our society and the companies we invest in from the worst potential outcomes, and that includes protecting workers. Board directors are accountable for long-term human capital management strategy; the companies they oversee have invested in their workforces and will be well served by having retained a well-trained and committed workforce when business operations are able to resume. Furthermore, the prospect of widespread unemployment will exacerbate the crisis and pose grave risks to basic social stability and the financial markets. Finally, in the face of this global humanitarian crisis we all benefit by coming together. In that spirit, we urge the business community to take what steps they can and to consider the following steps in particular:

1. Provide paid leave: We urge companies to make emergency paid leave available to all employees, including temporary, part time, and subcontracted workers. Without paid leave, social distancing and self-isolation are not broadly possible.

2. Prioritize health and safety: Protecting worker and public safety is essential for maintaining business reputations, consumer confidence and the social license to operate, as well as staying operational. Workers should avoid or limit exposure to COVID-19 as much as possible. Potential measures include rotating shifts; remote work; enhanced protections, trainings or cleaning; adopting the occupational safety and health guidance, and closing locations, if necessary.

3. Maintain employment: We support companies taking every measure to retain workers as widespread unemployment will only exacerbate the current crisis. Retaining a well-trained and committed workforce will permit companies to resume operations as quickly as possible once the crisis is resolved. Companies considering layoffs should also be mindful of potential discriminatory impact and the risk for subsequent EEOC cases.

4. Maintain supplier/customer relationships: As much as possible, maintaining timely or prompt payments to suppliers and working with customers facing financial challenges will help to stabilize the economy, protect our communities and small businesses and ensure a stable supply chain is in place for business operations to resume normally in the future.

5. Financial prudence: During this period of market stress, we expect the highest level of ethical financial management and responsibility. As responsible investors, we recognize this may include companies’ suspending share buybacks and showing support for the predicaments of their constituencies by limiting executive and senior management compensation for the duration of this crisis.

We hope companies and their boards will consider measures beyond these recommendations, particularly those that are faring well in these difficult times. Such measures may include childcare assistance, hazard pay, assistance in accessing government support programs, employer-paid health insurance for laid off workers, or deploying resources to address the current needs related to the pandemic. While we acknowledge many of these recommendations may be out of reach, over the last several years we have seen corporations show leadership by using their power as a force for tremendous good. This leadership is critically needed as we face COVID-19 together.

Investors can support the letter here.

Meanwhile, the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) has confirmed it is exploring the possibility of setting up dedicated working groups “to help signatories work through both the short term and longer term implications of Covid-19”, following calls from the investment community.

Speaking on LinkedIn yesterday, Adam Matthews, Director of Ethics and Engagement for the Church of England Pensions Board, said the PRI was “the appropriate vehicle to convene two high level Commissions” in response to coronavirus.

He said the first Commission should focus on:

– “Our actions: supporting employees, supply chains, our consultants”,

– “Should we be calling for the suspension of the markets until we have a clearer view on the crisis/policy response”,

– “How companies should be responding, AGMs, buy backs etc.” and;

– “Market practices that are working against the common good”.

“The 2nd Commission [should be] on the long term agenda,” Matthews continued. 

– “Rethink the financial world we will inherit & the opportunity for us all do things differently & better for the common good”,

– “The need for a society that has public health capable of responding to such issues”,

– “A better set of emergency procedures that swing into operation when a crisis emerges”,

– “Other major systemic threats to society and finance that need equivalent emergency responses”.

 Fiona Reynolds, CEO of the PRI, said there would be a “short note for signatories covering stewardship in the context of Covid-19 later this week”.

“We are also working on other responses including working groups to help signatories work through both the short-term and longer-term implications of Covid-19”.

“The only way we can effectively manage our way through this is by taking collective action. PRI can bring the responsible investment community together to ensure a well thought-out, measured approach that looks to prioritise social and environmental outcomes. Now is the time for us to come together, to share ideas and to support each other. We need to ensure that the recovery from the pandemic and the financial crisis that follows is a sustainable one, and we need to work with business, government and regulators to ensure that all stimulus packages advance green and sustainable outcomes.”