Oneida
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 9 sources
US cutlery and flatware brand.
There's no proof Oneida pays more than the legal minimum, which in China is below a living wage, and it has no full independent audit.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 2 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It has 2 red flags: no evidence of a living wage and a hidden, unaudited supply chain in high-risk countries. Two or more red flags means a poor grade.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
Good requirements 2 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsMost of its products are made in countries such as China and India, where unions are heavily restricted, and it has no full supply chain audit.
- Not met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
- Met: High-risk raw materials (such as timber and cotton) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNone recorded in a major share of its range
Red flags 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Hidden supply chain, mostly in countries with poor worker rights
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
From product labels; Oneida doesn't say where its products are made. The rest is shown as where homewares and appliances are usually made.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| VietnamUsual for the industry | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| IndiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| PolandUsual for the industry | Regular violations | Close to a living wage | Moderate |
| IndonesiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| MalaysiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
Evidence
What we found
- No high-risk raw materials (such as timber and cotton) are recorded in a major share of its range, so the raw-material check doesn't hold it back for Good.
Research notes Oneida closed or sold its last US factories in 2004-2005 and now uses contract manufacturers abroad. Retailer listings give China as the country of origin of its cutlery sets; some second-hand listings of older lines say Vietnam. Neither Oneida nor its owner Lenox names its factories or publishes a supplier code, audit results or a modern slavery statement. The separate Oneida Hospitality foodservice business has a different owner. No labour abuse reports involving Oneida suppliers were found.
Sources and actions
Sources 9
Show all 9 sources
- Lenox acquires Oneida Consumer (HomePage News) · search the archive · Lenox Corporation acquired Oneida Consumer in 2021
- Oneida Icarus cutlery set (John Lewis) · search the archive · Country of origin listed as China; 18/0 stainless steel
- Oneida Barcelona cutlery set (John Lewis) · search the archive · Country of origin listed as China
- Best Flatware Not Made in China (notochina.org) · search the archive · Oneida closed its last US factory in 2004 and now outsources production to China
- Oneida (Myer) · search the archive · Myer sells 27 Oneida cutlery sets, several marked in-store only
- Oneida Moda cutlery set (eBay) · search the archive · Second-hand listing of Oneida Moda cutlery marked Vietnam
- Home Accents Today: Lenox acquires Oneida · search the archive · Lenox announced its acquisition of Oneida on 3 June 2021
- Amazon: The last American flatware maker saves its legacy through Amazon · search the archive · By 2005 Oneida decided to end its American manufacturing, as flatware made fully in Asia was cheaper
- Oneida Limited (Wikipedia) · search the archive · Lenox bought Oneida Consumer in June 2021
Company details
- Headquarters
- United States
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Oneida ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/oneida, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Better-graded cookware and tableware
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Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Oneida.