Environmental, Social and Governance Report 2020-21 32 33 Our Net-Zero Journey Introduction Materiality Environment, Social and Governance Sustainability initiatives ESG frameworks Employees are Paid at Least a Living Wage HKUST has made the commitment that all employees at the university will be paid at least a Living Wage – that which is defined as a wage sufficient to cover all living expenses without assistance from others. The Living Wage is not the same as the Statutory MinimumWage, which is lower and does not provide a take-home wage that is sufficient for meeting basic needs. As of Apr 2021, Oxfam along with economists at Chinese University of Hong Kong estimated the Living Wage HK$57.1 per hour. The university is now evaluating all of the contract workers at HKUST, including security, landscape, cleaning, and food services. New contracts for Security, Cleaning, and Landscape now include a provision that their contract employees must be paid a LivingWage. No Child labor HKUST abides by the Employment of Children Regulations, made under the Employment Ordinance (Cap. 57), which prohibits the employment of children in industrial undertakings and regulates the employment of children in non-industrial establishments, so as not to interfere with their schooling. Employee freedom of association The HKUST Staff Association was established with 3 missions, which are promoting social, cultural, and recreational activities among staff members of the University, protecting the welfare of HKUST staff and acting as a communication link between the University and its staff members. Accommodate appropriate periods of leave from work Appointees will be entitled certain days of annual leave based on their positions in Salary Bands under the Grading and Salary Structure. Sick leave and maternity leave will be provided in compliance with the Employment Ordinance in Hong Kong and in accordance with the University's prevailing policies and regulations. Adoption of Policy on Sexual Harassment The University is committed to create and promote a working environment which provides equal opportunity and is free of discrimination and harassment. The Gender Discrimination Committee of the University has been taking the lead to raise awareness of gender discrimination and maintain an environment that is zero tolerance of sexual harassment. Control mechanism of Sexual Harassment Members of the HKUST community who feel infringed by members of the University are strongly encouraged to speak up and report incidents of sexual harassments through the University’s established procedures, where the incidents would be investigated, guided or given advice by designated officers, Gender Equity Officer or Gender Discrimination Committee. The incidents of sexual harassments could be resolved through Informal Resolution and Mediation. A series of hearing procedures would be initiated if the incidents could not be resolved. On the education side, workshops and seminars on sexual harassment and anti-discriminations issues are offered to staff members and students by the Human Resources Office and the Dean of Students’ Office respectively. Employees are Subject to Fair Employment Terms Employees are Not Subject to Discrimination
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