Our success as a company and as individuals depends on the unique contributions of all the people with whom we work. We owe each other honesty, respect and fair treatment.






Sara Lee supports fundamental human rights for all people, and complies with employment laws in every country in which it operates.

We will not employ individuals who are under 15 years of age. We will not employ forced labor, including prison or bonded labor. We will not allow physical punishment or abuse. We will respect the right of employees to exercise their lawful right of free association. Similarly, we will recognize the lawful rights of our employees to choose or not choose collective bargaining representation.



Sara Lee is firmly committed to the fair treatment and compensation of employees. All applicants and employees are judged by their qualifications, demonstrated skills and achievements. We believe in recognizing and rewarding good performance, and offering opportunities for advancement through assignments, promotions and training. Employment discrimination is not tolerated at Sara Lee. We comply with laws prohibiting unjustified discrimination based on a person’s race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, and other protected characteristics.



At Sara Lee, we believe that retaining, developing and attracting a diverse workforce and leadership team drives positive business results. We will create and sustain an inclusive environment where all people are given the opportunity to achieve their full potential. We will aggressively provide meaningful responsibility and development opportunities to our employees worldwide.

“Treat all members of the company with respect, honesty, and empathy, without discrimination of any kind and being as fair as possible, and accepting differences of opinion and points of view.” – The Netherlands

Sara Lee employees have the right to work in an environment that is free from intimidation, harassment and abuse. Verbal or physical conduct by any employee that harasses another or disrupts another’s work performance or creates an intimidating, offensive, abusive or hostile work environment will not be tolerated.

In addition, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature are specifically prohibited. Employees are encouraged to help each other by speaking out when a co-worker’s conduct makes them or others uncomfortable, and are responsible for promptly reporting harassment when it occurs.



Sara Lee is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment. Each facility, through its management team, must implement a safety program that includes appropriate training and meets applicable laws and government regulations as well as Sara Lee’s own safety and health standards.

Each employee is responsible for knowing and observing the safety and health rules and practices that apply to his or her job. Employees also are responsible for taking the precautions necessary to protect themselves and their co-workers, including immediately reporting accidents, injuries and unsafe practices or conditions. Appropriate and timely action will be taken to correct known unsafe conditions.

The health and safety of all employees, and the quality and productivity demanded by consumers and stockholders, require each employee to report to work free from the influence of any substance that could prevent him or her from conducting work activities safely and effectively. Workplace violence of any kind, including threats or intimidation, is prohibited. Employees are prohibited from having weapons in the workplace, on Sara Lee property or on any other property while conducting business for Sara Lee.



Sara Lee is committed to respecting and protecting employees’ confidential information. This means that access to such information, including personal information, is limited to personnel who have appropriate authorization and a clear business need for that information.

One of my co-workers was being harassed because of her age. Her manager wasn’t doing anything about it. Although we were both nervous, I called the Resource Line to tell them what was going on. In the end, several people who were badly mistreating her, and the manager who knew about it and didn’t do anything, had to leave the company. My co-worker is now doing much better. – Mexico