Modern Slavery Statement

Here are the steps the MindForward Alliance has taken and continues to take to understand and minimise the potential risk of modern slavery in its business and supply chains.

This statement is published in line with section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

About the MindForward Alliance

The MindForward Alliance (MindForward Alliance) is a not-for-profit membership organisation. We believe that the workplace has an opportunity and a responsibility to protect, support and create positive mental health for their people so that they can thrive. Our unique MindForward Alliance model brings together senior business leaders, HR, wellbeing and D&I professionals from our members, along with mental health experts, people with lived experience and industry partners. By collaborating and sharing knowledge of what does and doesn’t work, supported by expert consultancy and practical support at both the operational and leadership level, members are able to accelerate their journey to building a mentally healthy workplace.

Our commitment to the principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2015

The MindForward Alliance is committed to the principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the abolition of modern slavery and human trafficking.

As an equal opportunities employer, we're committed to creating and ensuring a non-discriminatory and respectful working environment for our staff. We want all our staff to feel confident that they can expose wrongdoing without any risk to themselves.

We do not enter into business with any organisation, in the UK or abroad, which knowingly supports or is found to be involved in slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour.

Our employment practices

Our recruitment and people management processes are designed to ensure that all prospective employees are legally entitled to work in the UK and to safeguard employees from any abuse or coercion.

As required by UK law, all prospective employees must provide identity documentation proving that they are legally permitted to work in the country of employment prior to any employment commencing. The withholding of identity documentation is strictly prohibited under UK law and by this policy document.

The use of recruiters or labour brokers is strongly discouraged except for senior executive roles or Board level positions. If a recruiter or labour broker is used, they must comply with both UK employment law and the local employment legislation of the country in which recruiting occurs. Recruiters and labour brokers must provide documentation to prove they are in compliance with the aforementioned employment legislation prior to any activity being commissioned.

Child labour is strictly prohibited under any circumstances and in any country.

Upon acceptance of an offer of employment, all prospective employees must be provided with a full, written contract of employment which sets out the full terms of their employment (including, but not limited to, salary, leave entitlement, benefits such as pension contributions, notice periods and so on). Employees must review and sign to acknowledge and accept the employment contract prior to any employment commencing and prior to any relocation of the employee taking place.

All contracts must be written in the primary language of employees and employees have the right to discuss and negotiate contract terms prior to signing the agreement.

The contract of employment must set out the procedure should an employee wish to resign their position. Financial penalties must never be included (and are not permissible by UK law).  Notice periods must be clearly set out and must be compliant with the minimum notice periods required by UK law.

Our supply chain

Due to the nature of our business, we assess ourselves to have a very low risk of modern slavery in our business and supply chains. Our supply chains are very limited and we procure goods and services from a restricted range of UK and overseas suppliers.

Embedding the principles

We will continue to embed the principles through:

• providing awareness training to staff on the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and informing them of the appropriate action to take if they suspect a case of slavery or human trafficking;
• ensuring staff involved in procurement activity are aware of and follow modern slavery procurement guidance on GOV.UK;
• ensuring that consideration of the modern slavery risks and prevention are added to MindForward Alliance’s policy review process as an employer and procurer of goods and services;
• making sure MindForward Alliance’s procurement strategies and contract terms and conditions include references to modern slavery and human trafficking;
• continuing to take action to embed a zero tolerance policy towards modern slavery;
• ensuring that staff involved in buying or procurement and the recruitment and deployment of workers receive training on modern slavery and ethical employment practices;

This statement has been approved by Kate Laird, Training, Events & Administration Manager, MindForward Alliance, for the financial year ending 31 December 2023.

This statement is reviewed and updated every year.