Modern Slavery Policy
Human trafficking. The use of violence, threats or coercion to transport, recruit or harbour people in order to exploit them for purposes such as forced prostitution, labour, criminality, marriage or organ removal.
Forced labour. Any work or services people are forced to do against their will under threat of punishment.
Debt bondage/bonded labour. The world’s most widespread form of slavery. People trapped in poverty borrow money and are forced to work to pay off the debt, losing control over both their employment conditions and the debt.
Descent–based slavery. Most traditional form, where people are treated as property, and their “slave” status was passed down the maternal line.
Slavery of children. When a child is exploited for someone else’s gain. This can include child trafficking, child soldiers, child marriage and child domestic slavery.
Forced and early marriage. When someone is married against their will and cannot leave. Most child marriages can be considered slavery.
Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 requires organisations who supply goods and services and whom have an annual turnover of £36 million to comply and produce an annual modern slavery statement. While this does not apply to Bishops Beds, we believe that tackling modern slavery applies to us all and therefore we are committed to ensuring modern slavery is not a factor in our operations.
It is our strict policy that all new starters, regardless of being employed directly or through an agency have a valid National Insurance number. All new starters are also required to provide their full name and address details as well as provide proof of identification. This information is all passed to our accountants who carry out full identity checks.
In addition, we always pay salary directly into UK bank accounts.
We expect all suppliers and business partners to conduct their business in the same manner that we have deemed fair and ethical. Stringent due-diligence checks are carried out with all of our suppliers at inception of a new contract and regular checks are made throughout the duration of the contract. In the event any issues arise, we would take immediate action wherever appropriate.
All staff are aware of this policy, especially those involved in recruitment, accounts and management. Any concerns reported to Senior Management will be treat in the strictest of confidence and fully investigated with any required reporting to the authorities occurring promptly.
In addition to displaying information posters in areas where staff, visitors and customers will be able to view this we deliver staff training in the form of a Toolbox Talk to all staff.
