Introduction
This statement sets out Outrank’s actions to understand all potential modern slavery risks related to its business and to put in place steps to ensure that there is no slavery or human trafficking in its own business and its supply chains.
Outrank recognises that it is responsible for a robust approach to slavery and human trafficking.
The organisation is committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in its corporate activities and ensuring that its supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking.
Organisational structure and supply chains
Outrank is a company registered and operating in the UK. It specialises in SEO, particularly in the SME space.
The company has assessed whether or not particular activities or countries are high-risk in relation to slavery or human trafficking:
Responsibility
Responsibility for the organisation’s anti-slavery initiatives is as follows
- Policies: Senior Management team
- Risk assessments: Annually with the Senior Management team
- Investigations/due diligence: Senior Management
- TeamTraining: This policy and supporting information relevant to policies
The organisation operates the following policies that describe its approach to the identification of modern slavery risks and steps to be taken to prevent slavery and human trafficking in its operations.
- Whistleblowing policy The organisation encourages all its workers, customers and other business partners to report any concerns related to the direct activities or the supply chains of, the organisation. This includes any circumstances that may increase the risk of slavery or human trafficking. The organisation’s whistleblowing procedure is designed to make it easy for workers to make disclosures without fear of retaliation. Employees, customers or others who have concerns can use our confidential complete our confidential disclosure form.
- Employee code of conduct The organisation’s code makes clear to employees the actions and behaviour expected of them when representing the organisation. The organisation strives to maintain the highest standards of employee conduct and ethical behaviour when operating abroad and managing its supply chain.
- Recruitment workers policy The organisation uses only specified, reputable employment agencies to source labour and always verifies the practices of any new agency it uses before accepting workers from that agency.
Due diligence
The organisation undertakes due diligence when considering new suppliers and regularly reviews its existing suppliers. The organisation’s due diligence and reviews include
- evaluating the modern slavery and human trafficking risks of new suppliers reviewing on a regular basis all aspects of the supply chain based on the supply chain mapping;
- Conducting supplier audits or assessments through [the organisation’s own staff/third party auditor], which have a greater degree of focus on slavery and human trafficking where general risks are identified;
- taking steps to improve substandard suppliers’ practices, including providing advice to suppliers and requiring them to implement action plans if needed;
- participating in collaborative initiatives focused on human rights in general and slavery and human trafficking;
- Using SEDEX where suppliers can be checked for their labour standards, compliance in general, and modern slavery and human trafficking in particular; and
Performance indicators
The organisation has reviewed its key performance indicators (KPIs). As a result, the organisation is continually reviewing its existing supply chains, whereby the organisation evaluates all existing suppliers.
Training
The organisation requires all HR staff to complete training on modern slavery as a module within the organisation’s wider human rights/ethics/ethical trade training programme.
The organisation’s modern slavery training covers
- how to assess the risk of slavery and human trafficking in relation to various aspects of the business, including resources and support available;
- how to identify the signs of slavery and human trafficking;
- What initial steps should be taken if slavery or human trafficking is suspected;
- how to escalate potential slavery or human trafficking issues to the relevant parties within the organisation;
- What external help is available, for example, through the modern Slavery Helpline, Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and “Stronger Together” initiative;
- What messages, business incentives, or guidance can be given to suppliers and other business partners and contractors to implement anti-slavery policies; and
- What steps should the organisation take if suppliers or contractors do not implement anti-slavery policies in high-risk scenarios, including their removal from the organisation’s supply chains
Awareness-raising programme
As well as training staff, the organisation has raised awareness of modern slavery issues by implementing this policy.
The policy explains to staff
the basic principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2015;
- How employers can identify and prevent slavery and human trafficking;
- What employees can do to flag up potential slavery or human trafficking issues to the relevant parties within the organisation; and
- What external help is available, for example, through the Modern Slavery Helpline
