Modern Slavery Act 2015

Modern Slavery Statement

This statement has been approved by the VGC Group board of directors. It is published in accordance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015. The hard copy was signed by Laurence Mckidd, managing director. It will be reviewed annually (next review December 2021).

Modern Slavery logoStructure, business and supply chains

VGC provides skilled people and delivers quality civil engineering projects to the UK’s leading infrastructure contractors.

We are committed to working within our own business and our supply chain to ensure business practices are ethical, and to tackle hidden labour exploitation.

Modern slavery is a criminal activity and a violation of human rights. We all have a responsibility to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking within our business and supply chains.

Policies

Our accredited business management system makes sure that we operate fair and transparent systems, compliant with all areas of UK legislation. They include policies on:

Identification of risks, prevention and management

We are doing everything we can to combat modern slavery and labour exploitation. We continue to review the risks within our business and our supply chain.

Steps already in place to prevent and manage that risk are:

Recruitment

  • Face-to-face individual interviews with all workers to gauge willingness, ability and qualifications to carry out the specific job role
  • Stringent verification of identity documents and right to work in the UK documentation carried out by trained staff
  • Reference checks on all workers
  • An induction providing information on statutory rights and company policies and procedures

Staff support

  • Transparent and detailed terms of engagement provided to all workers
  • Detailed payslips provided weekly
  • Wages are paid into personal bank accounts
  • Fair access to training, development and promotion opportunities

Modern slavery awareness

  • Delivery of modern slavery training sessions and stand-down days for site staff
  • Delivery of a bespoke modern slavery presentation to head office staff, focusing on areas of risk, spotting the signs, and how to report it
  • Posters displayed in multiple languages in welfare facilities
  • Payslip messages
  • Social media and staff  enews

Due diligence in business and supply chain

VGC was the first labour resourcing company to be awarded the Ethical Labour Sourcing Standard (BES 6002:2017). It demonstrates our commitment to ethical, transparent and fair recruitment, sourcing, and business management strategies. We were reaccredited in October 2020.

Checking right to work in UK
We check people have the right to work in the UK

In developing our strategy and policy in relation to modern slavery we have taken the following steps:

  • Our group services director has been named one of the Top 100 Modern Slavery influencers. She engages with main contractors and the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) to work collaboratively with other industry partners to prevent modern slavery.
  • We include modern slavery questions in our pre-qualification suppliers’ questionnaire form.
  • Due diligence monthly reports on workers check for:
    • duplicate bank account details
    • houses with multiple occupancy
  • Refresher documentation verification training is given by the Metropolitan police to all staff involved in recruitment and compliance on how to check the validity of identity documents.
  • We carry out periodic internal audits on high risk groups as defined by the GLAA.
  • We have key influencers on site who are trained in spotting the signs of modern slavery, and in our reporting process.

Tackling modern slavery plan of action

Existing modern slavery practicesWhat we did in 2020What we will do in 2021
MSA policy published on website Became an early signatory to the GLAA construction protocol. Regularly attend and contribute to discussions at eventsWorker exploitation induction briefing to be included in company HSQE and office inductions
Face to face recruitment interview processContinued to monitor risks of labour exploitationMS questions to be included in the registration pack for new starters
Stringent checks on original right to work in the UK documentsProvided modern slavery training to key influencers and clients - to date we have delivered MS training to 640 peopleContinue to share best practice with industry, and contribute to discussions through GLAA construction protocol forum
UKBA-trained staff carrying out validity checking of passports and visasProduced a bespoke modern slavery film that is used during inductionsContinue delivering MS training for office staff and site workers
Payment for hours worked made into personal bank accountsIncreased engagement with staff through our monthly Be Safe briefing, social media, onsite training, payslip messagesContinued investment in technology to manage the risk of labour exploitation and raise awareness
Modern slavery training for staff on labour exploitation, spotting the signs and whistleblowingContinued to invest in new technology to run detailed MS audit reports detailing if bank account details, mobile numbers, addresses, next of kin details have been duplicated
Fair opportunity and access to training, development and promotion opportunities
Displaying multi-lingual 'Stronger Together' posters across offices and sites
MS questions included in supplier approval process to tackle modern slavery in wider supply chain
Internal modern slavery audits by HSQE team
Unseen app on all company mobile phones

Reporting

If you have any concerns in relation to modern slavery it is essential that you report them. You can report to VGC in confidence and anonymously.

You can also report directly to the authorities:

  • Modern Slavery Helpline 0808 801 0372 8am to 8pm seven days a week
  • Download the Unseen.org app

Do not try to deal with the situation yourself unless the person is in immediate danger. If there is immediate danger call the police on 999.

December 2020