Human Rights

1 Linde's commitment

Linde is a leading global industrial gases and engineering company with approximately 65,000 employees globally, serving a diverse group of industries across more than 80 countries worldwide. Linde recognizes the importance of respecting human rights and labor standards.

Linde strives to prevent adverse human rights impacts that have a direct link to the company's operations, products or services. Linde is committed to the recognition and safeguarding of human rights in all the countries in which it operates and respects the sovereignty of nations throughout the world.

Linde complies with all applicable national laws and international treaties concerning human rights, social rights, and labor rights, consistent with the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Labor Organization's Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

Linde is also committed to the UN Global Compact corporate responsibility initiative and its principles pertaining to human rights and labor.

Linde's commitment to human rights is manifested in this and various other company policies and statements, including the company's Code of Business Integrity ("CBI"), Supplier Code of Conduct, Inclusion Principles, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Policy and Responsible Care^® Policy. This Human Rights Policy is a supplement to Linde's CBI and is not intended to replace local legal guidance or applicable laws or regulations.

2 Governance and implementation

All employees are responsible for compliance with this policy, which is publicly available on the Linde website and communicated internally and externally to all employees, stakeholders and other relevant parties. Our management encourages employees to understand the policy and applicable laws related to it. Linde takes these standards very seriously. Non-compliance, depending upon the circumstances and local applicable laws or regulations, may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. For more information on the company’s Human Rights efforts see the annual Sustainable Development Report.

The following rights are cornerstones of our global policy:

2.1 Fair Compensation and Equal Remuneration

Linde pays employees at least the minimum wages and overtime rates required by law and collective bargaining agreements and, if no such laws or agreements apply, wages are in line with marketplace practices. Linde compensates employees based on merit and ability, as noted in the Code of Business Integrity, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or any other reason prohibited by applicable law. Linde also compensates its employees based on its pay philosophy that requires compensation to be, among other things, fair, transparent, and cost effective, and to drive a performance and results-oriented culture.

2.2 Working conditions

Linde complies with applicable labor and employment laws and rules. Employees' working hours shall not exceed the maximum prescribed by local laws. Linde provides access to a safe and hygienic work environment, including safe water, sanitation and hygiene for all employees and contractors on premises under Linde's control. Housing or other accommodation, where provided to workers, is clean and safe.

Linde is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible workplace, and providing reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws to support the full participation of persons with disabilities.

2.3 Prevention of Discrimination and Harassment

Linde prohibits discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy or sexual orientation, or any other reason prohibited by applicable law. Linde proactively trains employees on harassment prevention and actively promotes an inclusive work environment. Linde's definition of discrimination is consistent with ILO Convention No. 111 on Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Article 1 (1) (a): any distinction, exclusion or preference made on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, political opinion, national extraction or social origin, which has the effect of nullifying or impairing equality of opportunity or treatment in employment or occupation.

Linde respects the dignity and rights of every individual and is committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination, harassment, bullying, intimidation and retaliation.

2.4 Safety

Safety is a core value at Linde. Linde is driven to ensure that no harm comes from Linde's actions to people, the environment or the communities in which we operate.

Linde believes that all incidents and injuries are preventable. All employees and onsite contractors are required to comply with Linde's Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Policy.

Linde is committed to the safe, responsible, and ethical use of its products. Linde promotes the safe handling and lawful use of its products and expects end users to use them only for legitimate and intended purposes and in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and recognized safety standards. As part of this commitment, Linde has prohibited sales for end uses for its products, including any application in which industrial gases are intentionally used as asphyxiants or toxins applied to humans.

2.5 Freedom of Association

Linde recognizes the freedom of association rights of the company's employees and the freedom of peaceful assembly, including the freedom to choose whether to engage in collective bargaining and employees' participation in works agreements in various countries. Linde collaborates with labor organizations in accordance with applicable local laws, regulations, and traditions. In cases of collective redundancies or reductions in force, Linde complies with applicable legal consultation and notice requirements.

2.6 Prohibition of Child or Forced Labor

Linde opposes the use of all forms of child, compulsory or forced labor at our operations and expects our customers and suppliers to demonstrate similar intolerance for such practices. “Forced” labor includes labor as defined by the ILO Convention 29 on Forced Labour and ILO Convention 105 on Abolition of Forced Labour and includes labor exacted by an employer through the use of coercion, including withholding food or land or wages, physical violence or sexual abuse, restricting peoples' movements or locking them up, and debt bondage. The term "child" is consistent with the ILO Convention 138 on Minimum Age and refers to any person employed under the age of 15 (or younger where applicable law specifies). Prohibited forms of labor include those detailed in ILO Convention 182: Worst Forms of Child Labor.

2.6.1 Prohibition of Slavery and Human Trafficking

Linde opposes all forms of slavery, practices akin to slavery, serfdom or other forms of domination or oppression, including extreme economic or sexual exploitation and humiliation, as well as trafficking of persons.

2.6.2 Supplier Expectations

Suppliers and other third parties play a critical role in Linde's ability to operate and provide products and services to its customers. Their actions and practices also reflect on Linde. Linde seeks to do business with suppliers and contractors who share the same commitment to human rights that Linde has. Therefore, the company chooses suppliers carefully based on merit and a due diligence process. Linde expects suppliers to comply with legal requirements and to act in a manner that is consistent with Linde's values and the principles outlined in its Code of Business Integrity and this policy. Linde has established due diligence processes for surveillance of potential human rights abuses, whether coming from the company's own sourcing or its supply chain. Linde suppliers must also ensure compliance with the company's contractual agreements, the company's Code of Business Integrity and any additional specified supplier expectations, as outlined in the Supplier Code of Conduct and the Conflict-Free Materials Supply Policy.

Linde is committed to conducting business with its suppliers and customers based on fairness, honesty, lawfulness, safety, environmental stewardship and social consciousness.

2.7 Community Engagement & Global Giving

Community is a core value at Linde and respecting human rights also extends to the communities where Linde has operations and where its team members live and work. Linde is committed to improving local communities. Linde endeavors to be a good neighbor and invests in communities.

The company makes efforts to hire locally and to source products and services in the countries in which they are needed. Linde also actively supports local communities through its Community Engagement Program and charitable contributions from the company's Global Giving Program. This includes educational investments and research projects that make important and sustainable contributions in communities and neighborhoods.

2.8 Climate Change & Human Rights

Linde recognizes the importance of a just transition in the global response to climate change and the need to consider social, workforce, and community impacts as part of the move towards a lower-carbon economy and seeks to advance climate action in a manner that respects human rights, promotes workforce development and reskilling, and considers regional and community-specific impacts, aligning long-term climate objectives with shared social value creation. Linde's engagement with employees and communities, including workforce development and other community engagement activity, is disclosed annually in its Sustainable Development Report.

2.9 Data Privacy

Linde respects the privacy rights of individuals and complies with all applicable privacy laws in the countries in which we do business. We acquire, process, use and retain only the personal data that is required for effective company operations to the extent allowed by applicable law. For more information see Code of Business Integrity and Linde Privacy Notice.

2.10 Reporting Concerns

Employees who have questions regarding this policy or a human rights matter may direct their inquiries to their manager, compliance officer, or legal counsel.

Our Linde Integrity Line allows anyone - whether an employee, a worker in our supply chain, a member of an impacted community or any other person - to anonymously report suspected violations of this policy or any other matters of integrity. It is accessible via multiple channels (online reporting form, chatbot, email, hotline) in more than 20 languages. Linde conducts timely, objective investigations into all reports and takes appropriate corrective action in response to confirmed violations. For further details on how reports are handled and remediated, refer to the Q&A. 

Linde prohibits any form of retaliation against any individual for good faith reporting of what they believe to be non-compliance with this policy, the Code of Business Integrity, or any other policy.

2.11 Responsibilities

All employees are responsible for complying with this Human Rights Policy. The Vice President of Sustainability oversees the periodic review, maintenance, and communication of the policy. Managers are responsible for promoting adherence to the policy, supporting Linde's commitment to respect human rights, and escalating concerns regarding potential non-compliance.

3 Review

Every 3 years, or earlier if needed, by the Sustainable Development Department.