*** NEW AWARD***
My book ETHICAL CHIC: The Inside Story of the Companies We Think We Love
has just been named one of the Best Business Books of 2012 by Library Journal
http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/2012/12/best-of/best-books-2012-business/
This book analyzes six well-known companies that are seen as socially responsible and hip, to see if they really deserve their sterling reputations.
Find out the real story about Starbucks, Apple, Trader Joe’s, American Apparel, Tom’s of Maine and Timberland:.
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I am a prize-winning author and journalist with over 20 years of experience specializing in health care, retirement issues, and the nexus between business and public policy. I write regularly for The New York Times, Newsday, The Scientist, Institutional Investor, and more
How Consumers Can Help Factory Workers by Buying Less
from
USA Today, May 18, 2013
The good news is that retailers and manufacturers are responding to consumer outrage over the deaths and horrible working conditions in garment factories. The bad news is that they are responding in too many contradictory ways. Some sign a pledge to improve safety; some refuse to sign but say they’ll do it on their own; some say they will move to countries with better conditions. But factories can’t meet contradictory standards, some auditors are not particularly effective, none of these pledges help improve pay, and there is no “better” country at the cost-level these companies want. The solution lies with the same outraged consumers: Yes, we must be willing to pay more for better working conditions and salaries. How can we afford that? By buying less! Will that put the workers out of a job? They won’t need to work so many hours if they’re earning more.
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From the other side: Check out my book reviews for The National at
http://www.thenational.ae/featured-content/search?searchKey=Fran+Hawthorne&choice=true&pageNumber=1
and The New York Journal of Books at
http://www.nyjournalofbooks.com/search/apachesolr_search/Fran%20Hawthorne
