When it comes to improving the workplace for employees, Gildan now has an app for that.

The Top 40 promotional products supplier, also a leading global manufacturer of apparel basics, has developed and launched a mobile application that makes it easier for workers to submit grievances – and for the company to identify and track issues, respond to them, and implement improvements where necessary.

Gildan piloted the app in two facilities it owns and operates in Honduras and Nicaragua in 2021. The app, according the company, has received favorable reviews from employees, empowering them to provide more suggestions, share more ideas and ask more questions.

“What I like most about this app is that it allows workers and managers to understand one another better, build closer relationships and find solutions to problems collaboratively and efficiently,” said German Reyes, Gildan’s director of global social compliance.

The Montreal-headquartered apparel provider plans to make the app available at more of its facilities. Reyes noted that the company has for years tracked – and responded to – employee grievances through suggestion boxes and an ethics/compliance hotline managed by a third party. The app builds on that.

“As a vertically integrated apparel manufacturer, we directly employ the vast majority of our factory workers, allowing us to make sure that each employee’s voice is heard and their opinion respected,” said Reyes. “Going digital with our grievance mechanisms allows us to elevate that further so that we can continue to provide a great work environment for all our employees.”

Gildan’s new app is part of intensified efforts from the company to further strengthen its practices on corporate social responsibility and sustainability.

Earlier this year, Gildan came out with its Next Generation Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) plan. Beyond addressing areas like climate, energy and water, the plan also details objectives on transparency and disclosure, long-term value creation, employees and circularity.

More broadly, focus on sustainability and corporate social responsibility has been increasing throughout the promo products industry, which ASI Media has been documenting and educating about through Promo for the Planet.

Based on estimated 2020 North American promotional product revenue of $413.1 million, Gildan ranked sixth on Counselor’s most recent list of the largest suppliers in the industry. The new list is due out later this month.

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