Modern Slavery Policy

1. Introduction

Fortiva is committed to preventing all forms of modern slavery, including forced labour, human trafficking, and exploitative practices, in our operations and supply chain. As a talent acquisition and advisory partner specialising in the construction and engineering sectors, we recognise the risks of modern slavery within these industries and are dedicated to upholding the highest ethical standards in recruitment and employment practices.

This policy outlines our commitment to ensuring that modern slavery is not present in any part of our business or in the businesses of our clients and supply chain partners.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all employees, contractors, suppliers, and clients of Fortiva. It sets out our approach to identifying and mitigating modern slavery risks within the construction and engineering sectors and applies to all recruitment activities, including the sourcing and placement of talent.

3. Commitment to Ethical Recruitment

As a recruitment partner, Fortiva is committed to the following:

Fair Employment Practices:
Ensuring all candidates we represent are engaged in work under fair, legal, and ethical terms. This includes providing transparent employment contracts, clear communication on wages, working hours, and conditions, and ensuring the right to work in safe environments.
Prevention of Exploitation:
Conducting due diligence to ensure that no candidates we place are subject to forced labour, debt bondage, or any form of exploitation. This includes verifying that workers are not charged recruitment fees or forced to work under unfair conditions.
Monitoring Supply Chains:
Working only with suppliers, contractors, and clients who adhere to ethical standards that align with anti-slavery laws and practices. We will regularly assess the risk of modern slavery within our supply chain, including labour brokers and subcontractors involved in the recruitment process.

4. Risk Assessment and Due Diligence

Fortiva will carry out regular risk assessments to identify any potential areas of the business or supply chain where modern slavery may occur. This includes:

Screening Clients: Before entering into a partnership with any construction or engineering firm, we will conduct a thorough assessment to ensure they comply with anti-slavery and human trafficking legislation.
Monitoring and Auditing Suppliers:
We will review and audit our suppliers and contractors to ensure they follow ethical labour practices, including compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (UK) and equivalent laws in other jurisdictions.
Candidate Welfare:
Ensuring that workers, particularly those in vulnerable situations (e.g., migrant workers), are treated fairly, have access to grievance mechanisms, and are not subject to coercion or abuse.

5. Training and Awareness

We will provide training to all employees, recruiters, and management on modern slavery risks and how to spot signs of exploitation. This training will equip staff to:

Recognise indicators of modern slavery during recruitment and placement activities.
Report any concerns or suspicions of forced labour or human trafficking in our client and supplier relationships.

6. Reporting and Whistleblowing

Fortiva encourages all employees, candidates, and third parties to report any concerns related to modern slavery or unethical practices. We will provide:

Whistleblowing Mechanisms:
A confidential reporting system for anyone to raise concerns without fear of retaliation.
Investigation Procedures:
Clear steps to investigate any reports of modern slavery and take appropriate action, which may include terminating relationships with non-compliant clients or suppliers.

7. Accountability and Continuous Improvement

To ensure the effectiveness of this policy, we will:

Regularly review and update this policy to align with changing legislation and best practices.
Engage in continuous improvement processes by seeking feedback from employees, clients, and partners on modern slavery issues.
Publish an annual Modern Slavery Statement, detailing actions taken to mitigate risks and improve labour practices.

8. Compliance with Legislation

Fortiva is fully compliant with all relevant laws, including the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (UK) and any applicable international regulations. We require all of our suppliers, contractors, and clients to comply with these laws and will take immediate action to address any breach.

9. Conclusion

Modern slavery has no place in the construction and engineering sectors or in any part of our business. At Fortiva, we are committed to maintaining high standards of integrity and transparency and ensuring that everyone we work with upholds the same ethical principles.

For any queries or to report a concern, please contact our Modern Slavery Compliance Officer at info@fortiva.co.uk