Modern Slavery Act

1. Introduction

Be Online Safe and Savvy (the "Company") is committed to conducting business with integrity, transparency, and respect for human rights. We recognize the importance of preventing modern slavery in all forms, including forced labor, human trafficking, child labor, and other forms of exploitation. This Modern Slavery Policy sets out our commitment to eliminating modern slavery from our operations and supply chains.

This policy applies to all employees, contractors, suppliers, and any other third parties that are engaged in providing services, products, or resources to the Company.

2. Definition of Modern Slavery

For the purposes of this policy, modern slavery refers to any act that deprives an individual of their personal freedom and exploits them for labor or services under coercion, duress, or threat of violence. This includes:

  • Slavery: The condition of being owned or controlled by another person and being treated as property.

  • Human Trafficking: The recruitment, transportation, transfer, or harboring of people through force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of exploitation.

  • Forced Labor: Work or services exacted from any person under threat of punishment, including debts or other coercion.

  • Child Labor: The employment of children in a manner that is exploitative, dangerous, or harmful to their education and development.

3. Our Commitment

We are committed to ensuring that modern slavery has no place within our organization or our supply chains. We take a proactive approach to preventing all forms of exploitation and are dedicated to:

  • Complying with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (UK) and any other relevant local and international legislation.

  • Taking appropriate measures to ensure that our operations, partners, and suppliers adhere to the same high standards of ethical conduct and respect for human rights.

  • Ensuring that no individual working for or on behalf of the Company is subject to any form of slavery, exploitation, or abuse.

4. Risk Assessment and Due Diligence

We recognize that modern slavery may exist in certain industries or geographical regions more than others, and therefore, we conduct regular risk assessments to identify any potential risks related to modern slavery within our operations and supply chains. This includes:

  • Supplier Due Diligence: Assessing and reviewing the policies and practices of new and existing suppliers to ensure that they align with our values and comply with relevant laws regarding modern slavery.

  • High-Risk Areas: Identifying sectors or regions where the risk of modern slavery is higher and prioritizing those areas for additional scrutiny.

  • Training and Awareness: Providing regular training to staff, particularly those in procurement and supply chain management roles, to identify and prevent any potential instances of modern slavery.

5. Code of Conduct and Supplier Expectations

We require all of our suppliers, contractors, and partners to adhere to the following principles:

  • Compliance with the Law: All parties must comply with all relevant local, national, and international laws concerning modern slavery.

  • Transparency and Accountability: Suppliers must provide full transparency regarding their supply chains and practices, ensuring they are free from exploitation.

  • No Forced Labor: Suppliers must not engage in or support forced labor or human trafficking in any form.

  • Child Labor: Suppliers must not employ children under the legal working age as defined by local law, and must ensure that children are not exploited in the supply chain.

  • Non-Discrimination and Respect for Human Rights: Suppliers must treat workers fairly, with respect for their rights and dignity, and must not engage in discriminatory practices or abuse of workers.

  • Worker Freedom: Workers must be allowed to leave employment freely, without threats, coercion, or restriction of their movement.

6. Reporting and Whistleblowing

We provide all employees, contractors, and partners with clear channels for reporting any suspicions or concerns related to modern slavery. We take all reports seriously and will investigate any concerns promptly and confidentially. If modern slavery is suspected or discovered, we will take immediate and appropriate action, including informing relevant authorities.

Our whistleblowing procedure is designed to protect individuals who raise concerns, ensuring that they will not face retaliation for doing so. Employees and others may report concerns via:

  • Internal reporting systems: hello@bigsister.live

  • External reporting: 111

7. Our Actions and Procedures

When modern slavery is identified within the organization or supply chain, the Company will:

  • Immediately terminate any business relationships with suppliers or contractors found to be involved in modern slavery, forced labor, or child labor.

  • Cooperate with law enforcement and regulatory authorities to investigate the issue and ensure justice for victims.

  • Implement corrective actions to address the causes of modern slavery and prevent future occurrences.

  • Support victims of modern slavery through appropriate channels and assistance.

8. Training and Awareness

We are committed to educating and training all employees, especially those working in procurement, operations, and human resources, to recognize signs of modern slavery and understand how to respond effectively. Training includes:

  • Understanding the indicators of modern slavery.

  • How to report suspected cases of modern slavery.

  • Best practices for engaging with suppliers and partners on ethical labor standards.

9. Review and Monitoring

The effectiveness of this policy will be regularly reviewed, updated, and assessed. We will monitor the effectiveness of the risk management strategies we have in place, review reports from stakeholders, and continue to adapt our actions to meet emerging risks.

10. Conclusion

Be Online Safe and Savvy is dedicated to ensuring that modern slavery is not tolerated in our operations or supply chains. By adhering to this policy, we aim to protect the rights and dignity of all individuals and contribute to a world where modern slavery is eliminated.

Contact Information:

For further information or to report concerns regarding modern slavery, please contact:

  • Name of Responsible Officer: Anne Mundy

  • Email Address: anne@bigsister.live

  • Phone Number: 07877298482