Human Rights
Respect and dignity
Devon's Statement on Human Rights
Operating our business in a way that is consistent with human rights expectations is Devon’s responsibility, aligns with our core values and is a consideration in all relevant business decisions, plans and activities.
We strongly endorse the Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ recognition that the inherent dignity of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace. Our core values embrace both social progress and economic growth, consistent with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, as well as the commitment to empower others. We’re guided by the principles articulated in the International Labor Organization’s (ILO) Declaration of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, including the prohibition on child labor, forced labor and discrimination in the workplace. Devon’s commitment to protect human rights is reflected in our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (code), Corporate Giving Policy, Supplier Qualification Requirements and Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Philosophy.
As a U.S.-based company, Devon complies with all federal and state requirements to protect human rights and ensure the rights of indigenous peoples in the U.S. We are committed to the health and safety of our employees, contractors and communities, and to being a responsible steward of the air, land, water and biodiversity value across our operations.
We actively engage with community members where we operate to understand the safety, environmental and human rights impacts of our operations. When assessing and addressing these impacts, we consult with those who may be affected, including indigenous peoples, where possible and appropriate. Devon takes proactive steps to maintain positive and productive relationships with indigenous communities, source indigenous businesses for local employment needs, and invest back into indigenous communities. We respect the significance of indigenous heritage and culture. Where appropriate, we engage third parties to help assess our projects to prevent impact to cultural sites and sensitive wildlife habitat, and our internal Biodiversity Council works to preserve or restore biodiversity value.
We’re committed to supporting and strengthening vibrant, safe and educated communities where we operate. Through our Corporate Giving Policy, we focus our resources where we can have the greatest impact and on programs that align with our business goals and values. Working to improve the overall quality of life where we do business makes our communities stronger.
Devon employees are required to follow our code, which provides guidance on human rights issues such as nondiscrimination, anti-harassment and equal employment opportunities. Our vendors and suppliers are expected to adopt and adhere to human rights standards, including those in our standard supplier agreements, and we reserve the right to audit our vendors’ performance in this area.
Our Ethics and Compliance Helpline is available at all times for any stakeholder to report concerns and potential violations of our code, including any adverse human rights impacts. We will investigate, address and respond to any concerns with the utmost attention. For more on our helpline, see the governance section.
Devon evaluates ways to enhance awareness of human rights issues and engages with our key stakeholders to continue improving our approach.