Modern Slavery Statement

This statement is made as part of Element Recruitment Limited’s commitment to eliminating the exploitation of people under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (the Act).  It summarises how Element Recruitment operates, the policies and processes in place to minimise the possibility of any problems, any risks we have identified and how we monitor them, and how we train our staff. 

This statement is published in accordance with section 54 of the Act and relates to the financial year April 2020 to March 2021. It was approved by the board of directors in February 2021.

Stephanie Jenkins | Director

    1. Our Business

Element Recruitment Limited is a limited company operating in the recruitment sector.  We supply temporary workers in the Business Support & Administration, HR, IT and Finance & Accounting sectors.

Element Recruitment Limited is an independent business. 

1.1       Who we work with

All of the hirers that we work with, and all of the work-seekers we provide, are known to and identified by our staff.  All of the temporary workers we supply are identified by our staff. Some of these work-seekers operate through their own limited companies. Some of our work-seekers are supplied via other businesses, who facilitate providing them to the eventual hiring company.

The hiring companies that we work with are located in the South West.  The workers we supply live in the South West.

1.2       Other relationships

As part of our business, we also work with the following organisations:

• Sector-specific professional and regulatory bodies
• The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (www.rec.uk.com)

    2. Our Policies

Element Recruitment Limited has a modern slavery policy. In addition, Element Recruitment has the following policies which incorporate ethical standards for our staff and our suppliers.

• Disciplinary, Dismissal and Grievance Procedures
• Equal Opportunities and Diversity
• Anti-Bribery and Corruption
• Email, Telephone, Computer Facilities and Social Media
• Information Security and Data Protection
• Miscellaneous Leave
• Company Mobile Phones and Driving
• Alcohol and Drugs in the Workplace
• Smoking Policy
• Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases
• Whistleblowing
• Time Off for Sporting Events
• Maternity Leave
• Paternity Leave
• Customer Service
• Complaints Policy and Procedure
• The Modern Slavery Act

2.1       Policy development and review

Element Recruitment Limited’s policies are established by our directors based on advice from HR professionals, industry best practice and legal advice, and in consultation with REC. We review our policies annually, or as needed to adapt to changes. 

    3. Our Processes for Managing Risk

In order to assess the risk of modern slavery, we use the following processes with our suppliers:

• When engaging with suppliers, we ask for evidence of their processes and policies, including commitments around modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labour, human rights, and whistle-blowing.
• We conduct audits before entering into a commercial relationship with any business where there is the potential for risk.  These audited businesses form the basis of our preferred supplier list.
• We review the potential for risk at regular intervals, including the possibility of re-auditing a supplier or conducting spot checks.

After due consideration, we have not identified any significant risks of modern slavery, forced labour, or human trafficking in our supply chain.  However, we continue to be alert to the potential for problems. 

Additionally, we have taken the following steps to minimise the possibility of any problems:

• We reserve the right to conduct spot-checks of the businesses who supply us, in order to investigate any complaints.
• We collaborate with our suppliers in order to improve standards and transparency across our supply chain.
• Only senior members of staff who have undergone appropriate training for assessing modern slavery risks in the supply chain are authorised to sign contracts and establish commercial relationships in any area where we have identified the potential for risk.

Our staff are encouraged to bring any concerns they have to the attention of management.

    4. Our Performance

Based on the potential risks we have identified, we have established the following key performance indicators, which are regularly assessed by our Directors:

• The level of modern slavery training and awareness amongst our staff

We carefully consider our indicators in order to ensure that we do not put undue pressure on our suppliers that might increase the potential for risk.

    5. Our Training

All of our staff receive training and support that is appropriate to their role.  In particular:

• All of our staff receive awareness-raising information around issues involving modern slavery and human trafficking, so that they can bring any concerns they have to the attention of management.

As part of this, our staff are encouraged to discuss any concerns that they have. 

Training is refreshed annually.