Assume you are a manager. You have just discovered that an overseas contractor, who is a major supplier for your company, has recently been revealed to be operating with poor working conditions for employees. For example, the contractor may use child labor, pay low wages, require long hours, provide no benefits, or something similar.
Draft an internal communication that you believe will effectively address the issues of the above scenario. Your message must accomplish the following goals:
Clearly identify your target audience.
Provide an overview of the situation.
Promote the strategic goals of your company.
Use an appropriate tone.
Sample Answer
Internal Communication: Urgent Update on Supplier Labor Practices
To: All Employees (Target Audience: All Company Personnel—including Leadership, Procurement, Legal, Marketing, and Operations Teams)
From: [Your Name], Manager, [Your Department, e.g., Supply Chain Operations]
Date: December 9, 2025
Subject: Immediate Action Regarding [Contractor Name] and Commitment to Ethical Sourcing
Situation Overview and Immediate Action Required
We are writing to address a serious and concerning issue that has recently come to light regarding one of our major overseas suppliers, [Contractor Name].
Recent reports indicate that this contractor has been operating with practices that are fundamentally inconsistent with our company's values and ethical standards. These reported practices include, but are not limited to, the use of child labor, payment of unsustainably low wages, and the enforcement of excessively long working hours without adequate benefits.
Upon confirmation of these reports, our immediate action has been to temporarily suspend all new orders and shipments from [Contractor Name] while our Legal and Procurement teams conduct a comprehensive and urgent investigation.
Promoting Our Strategic Goals and Core Values
This situation directly challenges our commitment to our core values, which include integrity, respect, and social responsibility. Our response must reinforce our strategic goals:
Maintain Ethical Sourcing and Integrity: Our first priority is to ensure that our supply chain operates with absolute respect for human rights and fair labor standards. We will not tolerate practices that exploit workers, regardless of location.
Protect Company Reputation and Trust: We are committed to transparency with our customers and partners. Swift and decisive action is necessary to maintain the trust placed in our brand by demonstrating our commitment to responsible business practices.
Ensure Supply Chain Resilience (Ethically): While we address this disruption, Operations is actively identifying and vetting alternative, ethically compliant suppliers to mitigate any long-term impact on production schedules, ensuring our commitment to the consumer is met through responsible means.