Steelcase
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 6 sources
US office furniture maker selling chairs and desks.
There's no proof Steelcase 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 3 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It doesn't show that workers are paid a living wage, and isn't certified as working towards one. On Track needs at least one of these.
- 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 3 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsSome 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
- Met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that listMakes its products in its own factories
- Met: High-risk raw materials (timber) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeOnly in a few products: timber
Red flags 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Made partly in countries with poor worker rights, without a full independent audit of its supply chain
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
From Steelcase's own disclosure: it makes its products in its own factories. Its list covers only part of its range. 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 |
| India | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| Malaysia | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| United States | Systematic violations | Below a living wage | Low |
| Mexico | Regular violations | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| France | Regular violations | About a living wage | Low |
| Germany | Strong protections | About a living wage | Low |
| Spain | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| United Kingdom | Regular violations | Close to a living wage | Low |
| Czechia | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Moderate |
| VietnamUsual for the industry | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| 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 |
Evidence
What we found
- Uses timber in only a few products, so the raw-material check doesn't hold it back for Good. It doesn't show where its timber comes from. The "Open supply chain" star needs all of it traced, certified or upcycled.
- Modern slavery statement
- Owns or runs its own production
Research notes Steelcase makes most of its furniture in its own 19 plants in the US, Mexico, France, Germany, Spain, the UK, Czech Republic, China, India and Malaysia, but gives no split by country and no supplier list. Its 2025 forced labour report screened 335 suppliers (about 80% of spend) and found no forced or child labour risks, but publishes no social audit results. About 25% of its own staff have collective agreements; no living wage commitment covers supplier workers. Wood is used in some desks and tables under a sustainable wood policy, with no certified share given.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Listed | Steelcase Limited publishes a UK modern slavery statement (fiscal 2026) describing its supplier code and supplier audits, without audit numbers or results. View |
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Not listed | No Steelcase statement on the Australian Modern Slavery Register. View |
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not covered | Furniture makers are not assessed in Baptist World Aid's Ethical Fashion Report (latest edition 2026). View |
| Business & Human Rights Resource Centre | Unclear | No labour abuse allegations involving Steelcase or its suppliers were identified. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 6
Show all 6 sources
- HNI Corporation Form 10-K, fiscal 2025 (SEC) · search the archive · HNI acquired Steelcase Inc. by merger on 10 December 2025; group plants in US, Mexico, Czechia, France, Germany, Spain, UK, China, India, Malaysia
- Steelcase Showroom - Melbourne (Office Snapshots) · search the archive · Steelcase retail showroom with a sales area in Southbank, Melbourne, opened 2022
Published by Steelcase or its owner
- Steelcase ESG data center CY2025 (GRI) · search the archive · 10,062 employees; plants in US, Mexico, France, Germany, Spain, UK, Czechia, China, India, Malaysia; 25% collective bargaining; wood policy
- Steelcase report on forced labor risks in our supply chain · search the archive · 2026 report on CY2025: 335 suppliers screened (~80% of spend); no forced or child labour risks found in products; no audit results
- Steelcase Limited modern slavery statement · search the archive · FY2026 UK statement: supplier code, onboarding and periodic supplier audits
- HNI Corporation completes acquisition of Steelcase Inc. · search the archive · Steelcase became part of HNI Corporation in December 2025
Company details
- Owned by
- HNI Corporation
- Headquarters
- United States
- Employees
- About 10,062
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Steelcase ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/steelcase, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Better-graded furniture
None of the furniture brands we know to make furniture is Good yet. These are the strongest so far. Le Klint is Good, but we don't know that it makes furniture.
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Steelcase.