Associated UNGC Principle: 3
Associated SDG: 8

Abt’s standard practice is to ensure that employees are well-informed in advance of operational and procedural changes. Our company was founded on participatory principles and we have maintained that practice throughout our company's history. From a corporate planning perspective, we conduct a five-year strategic planning process with annual updates. In general, all major operational changes are decided and announced during this process, thereby providing employees between one to five years notice. Of course, changes may be required within the course of a year, in which case the decision is announced directly to staff affected by the change(s).

Our approach is to provide the “what, how, and when” for employees and then involve staff and/or collect input from staff to inform decisions and direction based on employee feedback. Ideally, employees are included in the design and implementation processes, thereby maximizing their input. For example, changes in our annual performance review process reflected employee feedback on the existing process and included a six-month notice period. The decision to implement a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system was announced a year in advance and included employee representatives on implementation teams. The decision to move office locations and design new office space was announced five years in advance and included employee visioning sessions and employee input and feedback throughout the process.

Associated SDG: 8

An occupational health and safety management system has not been implemented at this time.

Abt had 12 reportable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) injuries in FY20. The 12 injuries were the result of flea bites experienced by staff in McAllen, Texas, which has a very high number of fleas due to the heat and humidity of the area. A combination of the location and infrastructure repairs needed on the roof of our leased space resulted in a possum gaining access to the building, spreading the fleas indoors. The building has since been repaired and undergone proper treatment for the removal of the fleas and animals.

Associated SDGs: 3, 8

The vast majority of domestic employees work in an office environment where work-related hazards are minimal. Most injuries are either slip and fall injuries or those related to wrist strain due to typing. Our HR and Benefits team meets on an annual basis with our workers compensation carrier to review claims and identify patterns that would require intervention. Recommendations are reviewed for potential implementation at this time. Additionally, in the U.S., Abt must comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations around worker safety.

Employees have many avenues for reporting a work-related injury: they can contact the HR Service Center, report to Facilities in the office in which they work, report to their manager or contact the HR and Benefits team directly. All reports come to Benefits for reporting to our workers compensation carrier. Abt's Non-Retaliation Policy protects workers from retaliation for good-faith reporting of any possible improper activity.

Abt employees have resources in place to raise issues about their work situation either directly to their manager or to HR. They can also contact Abt's Employee Advisory Council if they are not satisfied with the response from their manager or HR.

For repetitive stress injuries, we use our workers' compensation carrier to perform ergonomic assessments to identify adjustments to work stations that will allow an employee to work without discomfort. The carrier may recommend changes to the work station, or equipment that will reduce discomfort (such as a natural keyboard) that Abt will provide.

Associated SDGs: 3, 8

Abt's workers' compensation carrier performs ergonomic assessments to minimize the risk of repetitive stress injuries at employees' request. Employee access is facilitated by sharing information on Abt's intranet, required postings in all offices and communicating process for reporting accidents and injuries during new employee orientation. Abt secures personal health information and ensures that information on employee work-related injuries is not used for favorable or unfavorable treatment by keeping access to this information restricted to Benefits staff.

Associated SDG: 8

Abt does not have a process for worker participation and consultation in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the occupational health and safety management system.

Abt does not provide training beyond informing employees about the reporting process noted in Disclosure 403-2.

See Our Employee Wellness section in the 2020 Mission Impact Report

Abt provides medical coverage to all employees working at least 30 hours per week and subsidizes approximately 70% of the cost. Employees also have access to complimentary flu shots, subsidized exercise classes, chair massages, a bike maintenance subsidy, and a bike sharing membership discount to encourage exercise.

Abt offers many voluntary health promotions, including a step and weight loss challenges, on-site gyms in two offices, and medical screening incentives. We also offer supplemental health insurance programs that are employee funded. Our Work/Life Assistance Plan offers many seminars on topics such as stress relief, depression, marital conflict, and financial issues. Employees also have access to counselors at no cost.

Abt publishes desk setup guidance for ergonomic comfort and provides ergonomic assessments for employees who request assistance.

See Disclosure 403-2 for more information.

No employees are excluded from this disclosure.

Work-related injuries:

The 12 injuries were the result of flea bites experienced by staff in McAllen, Texas, which has a very high number of fleas due to the heat and humidity of the area. A combination of the location and infrastructure repairs needed on the roof of our leased space resulted in a possum gaining access to the building, spreading the fleas indoors. The building has since been repaired and undergone proper treatment for the removal of the fleas and animals.

Work-related ill health:

Associated SDG: 8

See Our Leaders at All Levels section in the 2020 Mission Impact Report

Abt provides learning and development opportunities for staff through LinkedIn Learning, which offers over 10,000 diverse courses. LinkedIn Learning content, along with dedicated time to learn, allows Abt staff to meet just-in-time needs as well as accomplish long-term goals. Abt also supports continued education/training through our professional development assistance program, which helps cover the cost of expenses incurred while pursuing a degree or professional certification. Internal courses, brown bags and workshops are hosted throughout each year on a wide variety of topics. Access to technical on-demand training is available for staff. Abt is highly supportive of on-the-job learning and has created tools and an environment where stretch assignments and internal mobility opportunities help staff develop new skills.

Associated UNGC Principle: 6
Associated SDGs: 5, 8

See Continuous Performance Management section in the 2020 Mission Impact Report

Performance Review Evaluation Plan (PREP) is Abt's annual performance evaluation process in which all employees—in all locations worldwide—are provided with feedback, a rating for goals and competencies and the opportunity to create a professional development plan. 100% of Abt staff who were hired by December 31st of the previous year participate in our annual PREP review process. All staff also participate in our Continuous Performance Management program throughout the year. This program allows for timely, concise feedback that can be given and discussed immediately in real time.

Associated UNGC Principle: 6
Associated SDGs: 5, 8

Diversity of governance bodies:

Diversity of employees, Abt U.S.:

Diversity of employees, Abt Australia and Britain:

Associated UNGC Principle: 1
Associated SDG: 16

We have a strict, zero-tolerance policy for sexual misconduct of any kind. We require all Abt Associates U.S. employees and international field staff to complete training modules on human rights, trafficking, child protection, preventing sexual exploitation and abuse, reporting harassment, investigations, and retaliation. In FY20, 100% of Abt Associates U.S. staff completed training on all modules.

The Abt Associates Institutional Review Board (IRB) ensures that relevant staff take training on research integrity and protection of human research participants every three years. This is a three-hour on-line training, which is available in ten different languages. The IRB supplements this online with role-based training on other topics, such as privacy laws (e.g., HIPAA) open data policies (e.g., USAID’s) and ethical issues specific to a methodology (e.g., qualitative research with vulnerable populations). Of staff engaged with research participants, 100% are trained in these topics at all times.

Associated UNGC Principle: 1

See Our Ethics & Governance section in the 2020 Mission Impact Report

Our researchers study some of the most important and relevant questions facing the world today, from the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, to evaluating the effectiveness of strategies to reduce barriers to family planning services. Social, behavioral, and educational research can pose risks to privacy and confidentiality as well as ethical challenges, especially studies involving vulnerable populations. As part of its commitment to conducting research that meets the highest ethical standards, Abt Associates maintains its own Institutional Review Board (IRB) to safeguard research participants’ rights rights and welfare and to protect their personal information.

The IRB review typically includes assessment of: 1) the informed consent process and research design; 2) compliance with country or state privacy laws; 3) a safety plan for studies involving vulnerable populations to ensure those in need are referred to appropriate resources, e.g., helplines for veterans, and study teams complied with mandated reporting requirements, e.g., potential child neglect and abuse; 4) a detailed data security plan and data agreements; and 5) certificates of confidentiality or privacy certificates to protect participants’ sensitive research data.

The Abt Associates IRB ensures that staff take training on research integrity and protection of human research participants every three years. This is a three-hour on-line training, which is available in ten different languages. The IRB supplements this online with role-based training on other topics, such as privacy laws (e.g., HIPAA), open data policies (e.g., USAID’s), and ethical issues specific to a methodology (e.g., qualitative research with vulnerable populations).

Abt had zero reported violations of human rights abuses through any of our employees, clients, suppliers, or research participants in FY20.

Associated UNGC Principle: 1

See Our Ethics & Governance section in the 2020 Mission Impact Report

Associated UNGC Principle: 2

Abt is compliant with all of its U.S. Government contracts containing the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) clause found at FAR 52.222-50, titled “Combating Trafficking in Persons.” Additionally, upon issuance of a subcontract under a U.S. Government prime contract, Abt includes this same FAR clause and ensures compliance by its subcontractors. Our work performed under agreements with the U.K. Department for International Development (DFID) requires that we likewise adhere to and be compliant with relevant anti-trafficking and human rights policies.

Our work for the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) strictly adheres to the Environmental and Social Safeguard Policy. Abt Associates Australia implements a robust child protection policy in compliance with DFAT’s stringent requirements driving adherence to international child safeguarding standards. In accordance with a "do no harm" approach, a number of key safeguarding requirements are implemented as part of our operations and program activities, including rigorous recruitment and screening measures, comprehensive child protection training for staff and partners, dedicated child protection resourcing across programs, detailed risk management processes, and partner capacity building.

Associated UNGC Principle: 10
Associated SDG: 16

Abt makes no political contributions.