Eversheds tackles modern slavery risk

Law firm Eversheds Sutherland has tackled the issue of modern slavery which is an increasing reputational risk for a wide range of sectors. It has launched two innovative e-learning modules, developed to train businesses to understand and manage their risks related to modern slavery. The modules, some of the first interactive tools launched to educate employees on modern slavery – which can affect business across many sectors – will help staff better recognise what modern slavery is, and help organisations in their compulsory reporting of how they are tackling modern slavery.

Spotting the signs

Designed to fit into most businesses’ existing learning management systems, the modules are aimed at all organisations, to help every member of a business understand why identifying and tackling modern slavery is essential. Module one is relevant to all staff within a business. It explains what modern slavery is, how to spot the signs, and what workers should do if they suspect it is happening to mitigate the risk to victims and to the business. It also covers the 2015 Modern Slavery Act, which requires large businesses to publicly report the steps they have taken to ensure their operations and supply chains are trafficking and slavery free. This new reporting duty applies to commercial organisations carrying on business in the UK, with a turnover of £36+ million and supplying goods or services, many of which will be required to publish their first statement by June this year.

Supply chain

The second module takes a closer look at tackling slavery in the supply chain. Most relevant to procurement, risk and compliance, HR and in-house legal teams, this module examines the importance of risk assessment and monitoring across the entire supply chain and shares tools and common pitfalls. Tom Player, a partner at Eversheds Sutherland, said: 'With millions of people around the world affected by modern slavery, it is thought to be one of the world’s most profitable forms of criminal activity. Many sectors can be affected by it, including food, farming, construction, manufacturing, retail, fashion and cleaning services. As well as harming victims, it poses a huge reputational risk to a business.' 

Raising awareness

He added that modern slavery was 'often deliberately hidden by criminals in complex supply chain structures. And, as workers are an organisation’s eyes and ears when it comes to the risks of modern slavery to a business, it is by raising their awareness of the problem that organisations can correctly identify and tackle it.' The training is also a positive step that organisations can cite as part of their annual publishable statement on slavery – an essential part of compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Eversheds Sutherland will donate 10 percent of all proceeds from sales of these e-learning modules to Unseen, a modern slavery charity working towards a world without slavery.