In today’s interconnected world, the issue of modern slavery is a growing concern that requires collective action. Modern slavery, which includes forced labour, human trafficking, and hidden exploitation, affects millions of people globally and can occur in any industry. To combat this issue, the role of recruitment agencies is critical. These agencies, which help connect people with work opportunities, have a unique responsibility to ensure that the individuals they place are protected from exploitation.
Stronger Together is an initiative dedicated to supporting businesses in tackling modern slavery by providing practical resources and guidance. As a proud business partner of Stronger Together, Kenect Recruitment is committed to following these guidelines and raising awareness of anti-slavery practices within the recruitment industry. Kenect Recruitment’s approach focuses on preventing hidden labour exploitation and ensuring that ethical practices are ingrained throughout their recruitment processes.
Why Anti-Slavery Awareness Matters
Modern slavery is often hidden in plain sight, making it difficult to identify and even harder to combat. It can manifest in various ways, such as exploitative working conditions, unfair wages, or human trafficking, all of which strip people of their freedom and basic human rights. Raising awareness about these issues is crucial for businesses, especially recruitment agencies, which play a direct role in placing workers in jobs.
By promoting transparency, monitoring workplace practices, and educating workers about their rights, recruitment agencies can significantly reduce the risks of modern slavery. That’s where initiatives like Stronger Together become invaluable. They provide resources that help businesses identify risks, implement protective measures, and build an environment where both employers and workers can recognise and report exploitation.
Kenect Recruitment’s Commitment to Anti-Slavery Awareness
At Kenect Recruitment, the fight against modern slavery is a priority. Following the guidance provided by Stronger Together, Kenect has developed a range of practices to ensure workers are safe and protected from exploitation:
1. Policy on Hidden Labour Exploitation
Kenect has developed a robust Hidden Labour Exploitation policy that is regularly reviewed and updated. This policy outlines how the company identifies, prevents, and addresses any signs of exploitation within its recruitment processes.
2. Good Practice Checklists
Kenect has adopted Stronger Together’s Employer Good Practice Implementation Checklist and Labour Provider Checklist to ensure that all internal processes meet anti-slavery standards. These checklists help the company maintain high ethical standards and continuously assess areas for improvement.
3. Raising Worker Awareness
Kenect Recruitment places a strong emphasis on educating both staff and workers about the dangers of modern slavery. Leaflets are provided to workers, and Stronger Together posters are displayed throughout offices to highlight exploitation risks. Moreover, every worker is required to watch awareness videos about modern slavery before applying for a role. This ensures that everyone involved is aware of potential risks and knows how to act if they encounter them.
4. Creating Safe Reporting Channels
To make it easier for workers to report exploitation, Kenect has appointed a Stronger Together Champion, who promotes whistleblowing channels and encourages staff to raise concerns. This champion helps create an environment where employees feel safe and supported when speaking out against exploitation.
5. Monitoring for Red Flags
Kenect takes a proactive approach by thoroughly monitoring worker records for signs of exploitation. They carefully review:
- Address sharing, which could indicate high-occupancy living conditions often associated with exploitation.
- Bank details, to ensure workers are paid directly into their own accounts.
- Emergency contact information, to detect potential signs of coercion or control. This ongoing vigilance helps identify early warning signs of exploitation, ensuring quick intervention if necessary.
6. Consultant Training
Kenect’s consultants are fully trained to recognise and report signs of modern slavery. This ensures that those working on the front lines of recruitment can spot potential issues and take the necessary steps to address them.
Promoting Ethical Recruitment
Kenect Recruitment understands that safeguarding workers goes beyond identifying exploitation—it requires embedding ethical practices across the company. In addition to anti-slavery efforts, Kenect has developed and implemented the following policies:
- Ethical Trading Policy
- Whistleblowing and Public Interest Disclosure Policy
- Health and Safety Policy
- Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy
These policies, developed by HR and approved by the board of directors, further demonstrate Kenect’s commitment to worker safety and ethical recruitment.
The Path Forward: Working Together to Combat Modern Slavery
The fight against modern slavery requires collaboration, vigilance, and a commitment to ethical standards. Kenect Recruitment, through its partnership with Stronger Together, continues to champion anti-slavery awareness by raising standards and fostering a culture of transparency and protection for workers. By continuously training staff, implementing policies, and promoting reporting channels, Kenect is making a significant impact in the recruitment industry’s efforts to combat exploitation.
Kenect Recruitment is setting an example for other businesses to follow, showing that the well-being of workers is paramount and that businesses can and should play a critical role in eradicating modern slavery. Through ongoing awareness, education, and action, we can move closer to a world where exploitation has no place in the workplace.
