Policy - Document Ref: QX5-MSP02
Scope
This statement is made pursuant to the Modern Slavery Act (2015) and outlines the steps that Technical Innovation Services (T.I.S.) has taken, and will continue to take, to ensure that modern slavery or human trafficking does not occur within our business or supply chain.
Normative references
- Modern Slavery Act (2015)-Legislation
- QX6-EP-Ethics policy
- QX13-RP- Recruitment policy
- Employee handbook
Definitions
Modern Slavery-refers to the condition of being forced by threats, violence, or coercion to work for little or no pay, with no control over the work you do or where you do it. It encompasses slavery, servitude, human trafficking, and forced labour.
Objectives
T.I.S. has a zero-tolerance approach to any form of modern slavery and is committed to acting ethically, with integrity, and with transparency in all our business dealings. We have implemented effective systems and controls to safeguard against modern slavery within our business and supply chain.
Procedures
We are dedicated to upholding the highest ethical standards across all aspects of our business, including how we treat customers, clients, employees, and third parties detailed in our Ethics policy QX6-EP. We have implemented a robust recruitment policy QX13-RP which includes eligibility checks for all employees to work in the UK. This is designed to prevent human trafficking and forced labour.
To ensure that we conduct business in an ethical and transparent manner, we operate the following internal policies and procedures:
Supplier Due Diligence
We conduct thorough due diligence on all potential suppliers before allowing them to become preferred partners. This includes conducting an online search to verify that they have never been convicted of offenses related to modern slavery. Additionally, our modern slavery policy is a formal part of our contract with all suppliers, and they must confirm that no part of their operations contradicts this policy. We require our suppliers to hold their own suppliers to the same high standards, ensuring that modern slavery is eradicated throughout the entire supply chain.
Contractual Requirements for Suppliers
As part of our contracts, we require suppliers to confirm the following:
- They have taken steps to eradicate modern slavery within their own business.
- They hold their own suppliers accountable for modern slavery practices.
Responsibilities
Prevention, detection and reporting of modern slavery in any part of our business is the responsibility of all our employees or those working under our control. You are required to avoid any activities that may lead to a breach of this policy. You must use our whistle blowing policy as stated in our employee handbook if you believe or suspect a breach of this policy. Have a concern or suspicion that may be an issue in regard to modern slavery, you or unsure of whether a particular act or treatment of working conditions within a business constitutes any of the various forms of modern slavery.
We aim to encourage openness and support anyone who raises genuine concerns in good faith even if they turn out to be mistaken. No detrimental treatment will occur for any of our employees for raising a concern. If you believe you have received detrimental treatment for raising a concern, you should raise it with our grievance policy and procedure stated in the employee handbook. Breeches of this policy will face disciplinary action and companies or business associates who breach this policy will have no option but to terminate our
relationship with them.
We will know the effectiveness of the steps that we are taking to ensure that slavery and/or human trafficking is not taking place within our business or supply chain if:
- No reports are received from employees, the public, or law enforcement agencies to
indicate that modern slavery practices have been identified.
Compliance
Prevention, detection, and reporting of modern slavery in any part of our business are the responsibility of all employees and those working under our control. Employees are required to avoid any activities that may lead to a breach of this policy. If you believe or suspect a breach of this policy, or if you are unsure whether a particular act or treatment within a business constitutes modern slavery, you should report it immediately using our whistleblowing policy, as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
We encourage openness and will support anyone who raises concerns in good faith, even if those concerns turn out to be mistaken. There will be no detrimental treatment of employees who raise concerns, and any employee who feels they have been treated detrimentally should report this using our grievance procedure.
Employees who breach the organization's Modern Slavery Policy will be subject to disciplinary action. Such breaches will not be tolerated and will result in a thorough investigation, followed by appropriate sanctions based on the severity of the violation.
If a supplier or business partner breaches this policy, T.I.S. will terminate our relationship with them. This applies to all persons working for us or on behalf of the business in any capacity. The effectiveness of the steps we are taking to prevent slavery and human trafficking in our business and supply chain will be assessed based on the absence of reports from employees, the public, or law enforcement agencies indicating the presence of modern slavery practices within our operations.
Summary
The goal is to reinforce the organization's commitment to a concerted global effort to eliminate slavery in all its forms through legal, social, and economic measures while ensuring the protection and support of those affected.
This policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure its continued effectiveness and relevance. Any amendments will be made as necessary, and the policy will be updated in the QMS folder on the T.I.S. intranet. A printed copy of the policy will only be valid if it matches the issue number in the QMS folder.
