Social Performance

This section summarizes our company's social performance in four areas:

Bristol-Myers Squibb is dedicated to being a good neighbor and a force for positive change around the world. This dedication is a vital part of our mission to extend and enhance human life. The Bristol-Myers Squibb Pledge, our EHS policy, and our standards of business conduct drive our economic, social, and environmental performance. We are committed to treat people fairly and with respect, and to protect the environment and health and safety of our employees, customers, and the public.

Management Approach

Bristol-Myers Squibb's management approach to our social performance is discussed below regarding:

Employment
Labor/management relations
Occupational health and safety
Training and education
Diversity and equal opportunity
Product responsibility

Policy

The Bristol-Myers Squibb Pledge is the overarching policy regarding our company's sustainability performance. In it, "we pledge—to our patients and customers, to our employees and partners, to our shareholders and neighbors, and to the world we serve—to act on our belief that the priceless ingredient of every product is the honor and integrity of its maker." The Pledge specifically addresses our commitments to key stakeholders: employees, suppliers and partners, shareholders, and the communities where we live and work, the countries where we do business, and the world we serve.

he Pledge also incorporates our company’s mission “to extend and enhance human life by providing the highest-quality pharmaceutical and related health care products.” To realize our mission, we must meet regulatory and company requirements regarding product quality, customer health and safety, product labeling, marketing communications, customer privacy, and compliance.

Specific policies addressing social aspects of our performance are included in the Employees, Human Rights, Society, and Products sections of the sustainability website.

Goals and Performance

In support of our policy, we established Sustainability 2010 Goals. These goals, by design, support our company’s business objectives and should result in environmental, social, and financial benefits to the company, our stakeholders, and the world around us.

Organizational Responsibility

The most senior position with operational responsibility for labor and human rights aspects is Stephen E. Bear, Senior Vice President, Human Resources. Mr. Bear reports to interim CEO, James Cornelius.

For compliance aspects, including product responsibility, the most senior position within the company is Jonathan Sprole, Vice President, Deputy General Council and Chief Compliance Officer. Mr. Sprole reports to Sandra Leung, interim General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Ms. Leung reports to interim CEO, James Cornelius.

Training and Awareness

Career development begins with the selection of highly talented individuals and is reinforced by offering employees varied opportunities and support throughout their careers. Building Bristol-Myers Squibb's future leaders requires both selective external recruiting and focused internal development. Whether it is through Performance Connections – our performance management system – or through cross-functional opportunities, individual development plans or leadership development programs, Bristol-Myers Squibb adheres to a culture of growth and continuous lifelong learning that affects every level of the organization.

Training and awareness programs are in place to help employees meet the company’s requirements and expectations regarding customer health and safety, information and labeling, marketing, and privacy.

Monitoring and Follow-up

Bristol-Myers Squibb has established a Code of Conduct, called the Standards of Business Conduct and Ethics, which provides a summary of the important policies and procedures in conducting the company's business in a legal, ethical and responsible manner. The Standards also provide specific guidance to company employees on how to comply with these policies and procedures. The Standards of Business Conduct and Ethics help ensure that Bristol-Myers Squibb meets the highest standards of moral and ethical behavior in its business activities. Periodically, compliance with the Standards of Business Conduct and Ethics will be monitored by the Legal Division, the Internal Audit Department, the Human Resources Division, or the Corporate Quality, Environment, Health and Safety Department.

Bristol-Myers Squibb works with contractors and suppliers in an attempt to ensure the highest level of quality, expertise, experience, and fit with our operating culture. We expect our contractors and suppliers to comply with all legal and regulatory requirements for the workplace, including health and safety, diversity, and human rights. We periodically monitor the performance of our key suppliers, through a range of tools including surveys, reference checks, publicly available information, and site visits. Bristol-Myers Squibb may conduct a Quality or EHS evaluation of a contractor or supplier.

In addition, the company has management systems to address product responsibility including customer health and safety, product labeling, marketing, privacy, direct-to-consumer communications, full prescribing information and boxed warnings for products, product integrity, clinical trials communication and disclosure, and the environmental issues and impacts associated with product use and disposal.

Additional Information

Information on the company's key successes and challenges are included in discussions throughout the Employees, Human Rights, Society, and Products sections of this website.

Last updated December 21, 2006 . Italicized product names are registered trademarks of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company or one of its divisions or subsidiaries. Copyright © 1998-2006 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Your use of the information on this site is subject to the terms of our Legal Notices.