Modern Slavery Statement
This statement demonstrates Arc’s commitment to eliminating the exploitation of people under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (the Act). It outlines Arc’s efforts in spotting the signs, as well as eradicating modern slavery within the business and across its supply chains, through its internal operations, the policies and processes in place to eliminate the possibility of any incidents, any risks we have identified and how we monitor them, and finally how we train our staff and raise awareness across all stakeholders.
This statement is published in line with section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 for the financial year ending June 2024. This statement will be reviewed and updated every year.
Michael Gavin Company Director
1 - Our Business
Arc is limited company operating in the recruitment and hospitality sector. Arc supply casual workers across multiple sectors, including (but not limited to), catering, hospitality and leisure, retail, facilities management, education, customer service and domestic. Arc is an independent business currently below the £36 million turnover requirement for publishing a Modern Slavery Statement. This Statement is published voluntarily.
1.1 Who we work with
All of the hirers that Arc work with, and all of the work-seekers Arc provide, are known to and identified by our staff. All of the casual workers Arc supply are identified by our staff. Arc do not supply work-seekers to hiring companies through any intermediaries.
Arc’s primary locations of the hiring companies they work alongside are located in the following cities: Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Cardiff, London and Glasgow. However, Arc supply and recruit workers nationwide with our geographic reach covering all areas of the United Kingdom.
1.2 Other relationships
As part of our business, we also work with the following organisations:
• The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (www.rec.uk.com)
• Stronger Together (www.stronger2gether.org)
1.3 Policy development and review
Policy development and review Arc’s policies are established by our Directors and our Senior Leadership Team based on advice from HR professionals, industry best practice and legal advice, and in consultation with the REC. We review our policies annually or as needed to adapt to changes.
2. Our Processes for Managing Risk
Our Processes for Managing Risk To assess the risk of modern slavery, Arc use the following processes with our suppliers:
• When engaging with suppliers, Arc ask for evidence of their processes and policies, including commitments around modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labour, human rights, and whistleblowing.
• Arc 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 Arc’s preferred supplier list. Modern Salary Statement – V3 Jan 2025
• Arc review the potential for risk at regular intervals, including the possibility of re auditing a supplier or conducting spot checks.
After due consideration, Arc have not identified any significant risks of modern slavery, forced labour, or human trafficking within our supply chains. However, we continue to be alert to the potential for problems and are aware that the sectors within which Arc operate, and the nature of casual workforces, are particularly vulnerable to modern slavery infiltration.
Additionally, we have taken the following steps to minimise the possibility of any future incidents:
• 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 chains.
• 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.
• We ensure that all of our suppliers are members of appropriate industry bodies and working groups.
• We ensure the procurement process is fair for all parties associated to reduce the risk of worker exploitation.
• Relevant personnel within the business engage with community discussions through the Association for Labour Providers, to engage with business peers and highlight any previous or future issues, both providing and receiving advice from others within the sectors.
Our staff are encouraged to bring any concerns they have to the attention of senior management.
3. Our Performance
As part of monitoring the performance of Arc we track the following general performance indicators in relation to Modern Slavery:
• the percentage of suppliers who sign up to an appropriate code / provide their own modern slavery statements
• the effectiveness of enforcement against suppliers who breach policies
• the amount of time spent on audits, re-audits, spot checks, and related due diligence
• the level of modern slavery training and awareness amongst our staff
We discuss our indicators with suppliers in order to ensure that we do not put undue pressure on our suppliers that might increase the potential for risk.
4. Our Policies in relation to the Modern Slavery Act 2015
The following policies are available to all staff through our in-house HRIS, PeopleHR:
• Code of Conduct
• Code of Ethics
• Whistleblowing policy
• Bullying & Harassment policy
• Equality & Diversity policy
5. Our Training
All of our staff receive training and support that is appropriate to their role. In particular:
• Senior leaders within the company have completed Modern Slavery Training through Stronger Together, with the gained knowledge shared across the company.
• Our recruitment and staffing managers undertake training that includes guidance around modern slavery and human trafficking, as well as other wider human rights issues.
• 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.
• Modern Slavery ‘champions’ have been appointed within the business to continually raise awareness and knowledge of key indicators all within the business are responsible for.
As part of this, our staff are encouraged to discuss any concerns that they have. Training is reviewed annually.