SLO Guides

SLO Framework

Unlike a formal permit with its documented compliance points and periodic review and renewal process, the unwritten nature of a social licence means that it is constantly evolving and requires ongoing and often on-demand renewal and maintenance, which in turn requires ongoing attention to your relationship with local communities.  

Guide to Community Complaints

Establishing a good complaints handling procedure is one of the easiest ways you can start to deal with local concerns. A simple, well-implemented procedure will bring you a number of positive results. It will help to build better relationships with local people; it will help with the early identification and resolution of concerns; it will reduce the potential of communities resorting to direct action and it will bring you in to line with current international standards and community expectations.

Guide to Community Engagement

Engaging constructively is critical to every part of your business which means that it needs to be done well by everyone who works for you or with you. It sets the tone for relationships with local communities. It is the only opportunity you and your employees have to listen, to learn and to share ideas, concerns and solutions with local people. Done well you will be able to stay on top of issues and respond more effectively to changing circumstances.

Guide to Company Conduct

Actively promoting and encouraging the right attitude and behaviour deserves the same level of attention as every other part of your business. Real and visible commitment from the top of the organisation, clearly stated expectations supported by a strong governance structure and active engagement with employees and contractors are the essential building blocks of good company conduct. Regularly getting out and about in the community is another must do activity. Getting it right doesn't need to be difficult. 

Guide to Community Development

You should not be surprised when you come under some community and government pressure to assist or contribute in some way.  Problems arise when you jump in without giving some thought to the longer term consequences of your actions.  These can turn the instant gratification that comes with a quick-fix into a nagging headache that won't go away and turn what should be a positive for you and your company into a long-term liability.

Guide to Local Purchasing

Creating business opportunities for people with an entrepreneurial spirit is one way to benefit local communities. Buying locally can shorten and diversify your supply chain and build local support if you go about it the right way. Taking some time upfront to get what you are trying to achieve will payoff in the long-run.

Guide to Local Jobs

Issues surrounding jobs often become a major source of tension, particularly when local people see outsiders being hired for jobs they think they can do or feel they are entitled to, turning what should be a positive into a negative. 

Guide to Cultural Heritage

The way your company works with local communities to protect their culture and heritage will have a big impact on your business. It will influence the quality of your relationship, the effectiveness of your broader community engagement activities and ultimately, the legacy of your operation. 

Guide to Community Health

Your company facilities and activities will, more often than not, directly, indirectly and cumulatively change community exposures to environment-based health risks such as communicable diseases, equipment accidents, and exposure to hazardous materials or conditions. Taking the first step towards doing more to reduce your impact is not as difficult as you might be thinking.

Guide to Land Access

There are two sides to the issues associated with land access. On the one hand, going about accessing and acquiring land the wrong way can expose your business to a significant level of risk. On the other, from a community perspective, minimising the impact of land acquisition is important because landlessness - an all too common outcome of poorly designed and implemented projects - tops the list of impoverishment risks associated with involuntary resettlement.

Guide to In-Migration

Whether your current operation, planned expansion or new project is a direct cause of in-migration or is a catalyst for broader economic development that leads to in-migration, your actions can reduce and mitigate the impacts. Think of it as being in your (enlightened) self-interest to address the issue.

Guide to Environmental Management

Changes to the natural environment made by your company when you build or expand inevitably bring new risks into local communities. How these translate into consequences depends on the plans (often untested) and your actions (some being taken for the first time, others by rote) that you are trusting will be effective at reducing, remediating and offsetting your impacts in what is always a unique natural and social setting. Misplaced trust and getting it wrong is bad for everyone.