HUMAN RIGHTS & HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Shape support the protection and elevation of human rights in the countries within which we
operate (UK only at this present time) and are guided by the fundamental principles as set out in
the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Global Compact and the ILO’s Declaration
on Fundamental Principals and Rights to work. We support the UN Guiding principles and accept
our corporate responsibility to respect human rights. Our support for these fundamental principles
is reflected in our policies and actions towards our employees, suppliers, customers and the
communities that we affect.
We believe that our employees should be treated with respect and dignity and work in an
environment that is free from harassment and unlawful discrimination. Shape believe all employees
should be able to work in an environment that is free from discrimination, victimisation,
harassment, bullying and that all employees should be treated fairly and with dignity regardless of
their background or categorisation, or any views they may hold. Our position on human rights is
communicated to our employees and our employees are expected to uphold these standards.
We strive to promote adherence to the human rights principles throughout our supply chains by
encouraging actions that are consistent with our policies and by using suppliers whose corporate
values are consistent with ours. Specifically, suppliers are encouraged to follow best practice in
areas such as Business Ethics, Employment Standards and the Environment and to understand
the impact of their products and services in order to mitigate any negative effects they might have
on their stakeholders. We see our relationships with our suppliers as an opportunity to share best
practice and through open communication, to promote continual learning and improvement with
respect to human rights.
MODERN SLAVERY & CHILD LABOUR
The UK Government enacted the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (the Act) in order to better tackle the
crimes of modern slavery and human trafficking, in all of their forms. As well as consolidating the
criminal offences relating to modern slavery and human trafficking, the Act also introduced a
requirement for each business to publish an annual statement setting out the steps taken by the
business to ensure that modern slavery and human trafficking are not taking place in the business
or supply chains.
Shape refuse to tolerate modern slavery & human trafficking occurring anywhere in our supply
chains. We are committed to: (a) only working with suppliers and other business partners who
adopt the same ethical standards as we adopt in our business; (b) promoting best practice in our
procurement processes with the aim of eliminating the risk of modern slavery & human trafficking
occurring in our supply chains; (c) ensuring that our customers can be confident that the products
that they purchase from us are free of the taint of modern slavery & human trafficking; (d) ensuring
that our procurement personnel have an awareness of the Act, and understand their role in
supporting our policy on supply chain transparency; and (e) understanding the heightened risks
that may occur in some territories and in relation to some supplies, and tailoring our approach
accordingly.
Our policy on child labour: We require all of our suppliers to adhere to the standards set out by
the International Labour Organisation as regards the employment of children and young people. In
particular: (a) children must not be recruited before they have reached the age of completion of
compulsory schooling, and in any case not before the age of 15; and (b) those under 18 must not
be required to perform hazardous duties.
We require all of our staff, suppliers, contractors, agents and all other individuals and businesses
with whom we work, to comply with this policy and our approach to modern slavery and human
trafficking. We require all relevant individuals: (a) to read and ensure they understand this policy;
(b) to report any behaviour which they believe may breach this policy to an appropriate manager;
(c) to communicate our policy to all relevant colleagues and business partners whenever
appropriate; and (d) to ensure they carry out their roles in a way which enables Shape to comply
with this policy.
Shape require all businesses with whom we work: (a) to adopt policies and procedures within their
own businesses to enable them (and their staff) to comply with this policy; (b) to ensure that their
staff hiring practices (including for the hiring of temporary staff via agencies and similar providers)
are designed to establish that all workers are giving their labour of their own volition and are not
being controlled by others to any extent; (c) to adopt policies and procedures in relation to the
selection and management of their own suppliers which aim to identify and manage the risks of
modern slavery and human trafficking; (d) to maintain records to enable them to provide us with
the information we need to publish an annual supply chain transparency statement; and (e) to
monitor the success of the policies and procedures described above, in order to constantly raise
standards.
Any employee who breaches this policy will face disciplinary action, which could result in dismissal
for misconduct or gross misconduct. This policy does not form part of any employee's contract of
employment and we may amend it at any time. We may terminate our relationship with suppliers
and other business partners if they breach the terms of this policy.
Mark Hallam,
Managing Director.
We strive to promote adherence to the human rights principles throughout our supply chains