Introduction

This is RISE Beyond's Policy on Modern Slavery, Trafficking and Child Labour. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

1. Introduction: modern slavery & human trafficking

The UK Government enacted the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (the Act) in order to better tackle the crimes of modern slavery and human trafficking, in all of their forms. As well as consolidating the criminal offences relating to modern slavery and human trafficking, the Act also introduced a requirement for each business to publish an annual statement setting out the steps taken by the business to ensure that modern slavery and human trafficking are not taking place in the business or supply chains.

2. Our business and policy on modern slavery and human trafficking

2.1 RISE staff and consultants operate across the United Kingdom and Germany to provide our services to clients. We ensure that we operate ethically in all of our locations respecting local regulations and we develop a culture of best practice in operational management as well as following a code of conduct and extensive line of policies to ensure we are operating ethically and in the best interest of the people and the planet.

2.2 We refuse to tolerate modern slavery & human trafficking occurring anywhere in our supply chains.

We are committed to:

(a) only working with suppliers and other business partners who adopt the same ethical standards as we adopt in our business;

(b) promoting best practice in our procurement processes with the aim of eliminating the risk of modern slavery & human trafficking occurring in our supply chains;

(c) ensuring that our clients can be confident that the services they receive from us have in no way been a product of/or related to modern slavery & human trafficking;

(d) ensuring that our directors and operations team have an awareness of the Act, and understand their role in supporting our policy on supply chain transparency; 

(e) understanding the heightened risks that may occur in some territories and in relation to some supplies, and tailoring our approach accordingly.

3. Our policy on child labour

3.1 We require all of our suppliers to adhere to the standards set out by the International Labour Organisation as regards the employment of children and young people.

In particular:

(a) children must not be recruited before they have reached the age of completion of compulsory schooling, and in any case not before the age of 15;

(b) those under 18 must not be required to perform hazardous duties.

4. What this policy means for you

 4.1 We require all of our employees, suppliers, consultants, community members and all other individuals and businesses with whom we work, to comply with this policy and our approach to modern slavery and human trafficking.

4.2 We require all relevant individuals:

(a) to read and ensure they understand this policy;

(b) to report any behaviour which they believe may breach this policy to an appropriate person, ie Megan Taylor or Helen Duckhouse;

(c) to communicate our policy to all relevant colleagues and business partners whenever appropriate; and

(d) to ensure they carry out their roles in a way which enables RISE Beyond to comply with this policy.

4.3 We require all businesses with whom we work:

(a) to adopt policies and procedures within their own businesses to enable them (and their staff) to comply with this policy;

(b) to ensure that their staff hiring practices (including for the hiring of temporary staff via agencies and similar providers) are designed to establish that all workers are giving their labour of their own volition and are not being controlled by others to any extent;

(c) to adopt policies and procedures in relation to the selection and management of their own suppliers which aim to identify and manage the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking; and

(d) to monitor the success of the policies and procedures described above, in order to constantly raise standards.

5. Consequences of breaching this Policy

5.1 Any employee or consultant who breaches this policy will face disciplinary action, which could result in dismissal for misconduct or gross misconduct, or have their work contract with RISE Beyond revoked.

5.2 This policy does not form part of any employee's contract of employment and we may amend it at any time.

5.3 We may terminate our relationship with suppliers and other business partners if they breach this policy.