Modern slavery policy template
Value bundles that include this:
Our Modern Slavery Policy template equips organisations to address regulatory requirements and ethical concerns seamlessly, ensuring responsible practices.
This policy has three parts: an 'overview' that explains what it's about, 'scope' which details who it applies to, and 'general principles' that list the main rules it follows.
Why this policy is necessary
A modern slavery policy serves as a comprehensive framework, guiding organisations in their pursuit to eradicate modern slavery and human trafficking risks from operations and supply chains.
It manifests the organisation's dedication to prevention, offering protocols for risk identification, assessment, and mitigation.
This policy solidifies the commitment to swift action against instances of modern slavery, outlining due diligence procedures, supplier compliance mandates, staff training, and awareness campaigns. Its essence lies in fostering ethical practices, safeguarding against legal and reputational threats, and championing a responsible business ethos that upholds human rights and dignity.
Compliance notes
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Modern Slavery Act 2015: This seminal law requires organisations to produce a Modern Slavery Statement detailing their efforts to prevent slavery and human trafficking in their supply chains and operations.
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Equality Act 2010: This legislation prohibits discrimination and ensures equal treatment, emphasising the importance of addressing modern slavery to uphold human rights.
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Human Rights Act 1998: This act incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law, highlighting the need to prevent modern slavery for safeguarding human dignity.
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Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004: This act regulates activities of gangmasters who supply labour, furthering efforts to prevent forced labour and exploitation.
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Employment Rights Act 1996: This law includes protections for workers' rights and can be invoked to protect individuals from unfair treatment related to modern slavery practices.
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Data Protection Act 2018 (GDPR): Protecting personal data plays a role in safeguarding potential victims of modern slavery from privacy breaches.
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Whistleblowing Protection: Various legislation, including the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, safeguards whistleblowers who expose modern slavery practices within organisations.
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Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992: This act encourages consultation with trade unions on issues including labour exploitation and workplace rights.
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Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006: This legislation supports efforts to prevent illegal working and exploitation.
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Protection from Harassment Act 1997: Addressing harassment is essential to ensuring that victims of modern slavery feel safe in reporting incidents.
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Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006: Age discrimination protections are relevant as modern slavery can disproportionately affect vulnerable age groups.
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Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003: These regulations emphasise the importance of protecting individuals from forced labour based on their beliefs.
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Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003: Preventing discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation aligns with efforts to combat all forms of exploitation.
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Health and Safety at Work Act 1974: Ensuring the safety and well-being of employees is crucial to preventing abusive working conditions.
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Public Sector Equality Duty: Under the Equality Act 2010, public bodies must actively consider the impact of their decisions on modern slavery and human trafficking risks.
These laws collectively underline the need for organisations to adopt and implement effective modern slavery policies to eradicate these abhorrent practices from their operations and supply chains.
Workflow sequence
Modern slavery policy statement form template
Our Modern Slavery Policy Statement empowers ethical practices, showcasing dedication to responsible conduct and accountability.
Specifications
5 mins
462 words, 2 pages A4
1 November 2024
Modern slavery
Overview
At [Company Name], we are steadfast in our commitment to combatting modern slavery and human trafficking in all its forms. This policy outlines our resolute dedication to eradicating these practices from every aspect of our operations, supply chains, and business relationships. We recognise the moral obligation to protect human rights, uphold dignity, and exercise social responsibility, pledging to foster transparency and accountability throughout our endeavours.
Scope
This policy applies to all individuals associated with [Your Company Name], including employees, contractors, suppliers, business partners, and other third parties. It underscores our strong stance in addressing modern slavery across all our business engagements.
General principles
Definitions
Modern Slavery: Encompasses various forms of forced labour, debt bondage, human trafficking, and other exploitative practices where individuals are made to work involuntarily or under duress.
Our Commitment
We are resolute in our commitment to conducting our business with the utmost integrity and compliance with human rights, in accordance with relevant laws and regulations pertaining to modern slavery and human trafficking.
We acknowledge the vital role that our employees, contractors, and suppliers play in preventing modern slavery and human trafficking, and we promise to equip them with the knowledge and resources to fulfil this responsibility.
We continuously assess our operations, supply chains, and partnerships to proactively identify and address potential risks associated with modern slavery and human trafficking.
We are committed to providing comprehensive training and support to our employees and collaborators, empowering them to identify, report, and respond to instances of modern slavery and human trafficking.
We maintain open lines of communication, ensuring that concerns related to modern slavery and human trafficking are addressed promptly and confidentially.
Due Diligence and Risk Management
We are dedicated to evaluating the compliance of our suppliers and partners with this policy, seeking information about their own anti-slavery and human trafficking efforts.
We will work collaboratively with our suppliers and partners to identify potential risk areas and implement targeted strategies to mitigate these risks.
Reporting and Compliance
We will conduct an annual review and report on our actions to combat modern slavery and human trafficking, promoting transparency and accountability for our stakeholders.
Failure to adhere to this policy may result in disciplinary measures, including but not limited to the termination of employment or contractual agreements.
Continuous Improvement
[Company Name] is committed to continuously improving our efforts to combat modern slavery and human trafficking, aiming for excellence aligned with industry best practices.
Review and Approval
This policy has been thoroughly reviewed and endorsed by [Your Company Name] management. It will be subject to periodic revisions to ensure its relevance and effectiveness remain paramount.
Through the implementation of this Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy, [Company Name] seeks to play its part in eradicating these practices and upholding human dignity, fairness, and respect.
This policy [does not] form[s] part of your terms and conditions of employment.
Version: [1.0]
Issue date: [date]
Author: [name, job title]