0800 158 3508

Inc Studio's Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

Introduction

This Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement is a response to Section 54(1), Part 6 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and relates to actions and activities for the financial year ending 05 April 2024.

Format Creative Studio TA Inc Studio (‘the Company’, ‘we’, ‘us’ or ‘our’) is committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking violations in its own operations, its supply chain, and its products. We have zero tolerance towards slavery and require our supply chain to comply with our values.

Organisational Structure

Format Creative Studio TA Inc Studio has business operations in the United Kingdom.

We operate in the B2B digital marketing, website design and branding sector. The nature of our supply chains is as follows:

We work with several businesses across a range of sectors, providing services including website design and development, SEO and branding. This work is completed on a contractually agreed basis. When required, we work with a number of key direct partners who assist us in providing services, such as IT software and web development services.

For more information about the Company, please visit our website: https://inc.studio/

Policies

We operate a number of internal policies to ensure that we are conducting business in an ethical and transparent manner.

These include the following:

  • Recruitment and selection policy –

Our recruitment and selection policy is designed to actively combat modern slavery and human trafficking within our operations and supply chain. This commitment begins with a comprehensive analysis of our recruitment processes to ensure that they are transparent, fair, and compliant with all relevant legislation. We conduct thorough background checks on potential employees, including verifying their right to work and ensuring they are not being exploited during the hiring process. Regular audits and reviews of our recruitment practices are conducted to ensure ongoing compliance and to improve our processes continually, demonstrating our dedication to creating a safe and ethical work environment for all.

  • Supplier code of conduct – 

Our Supplier Code of Conduct is fundamentally aimed at preventing modern slavery and human trafficking within our supply chain. We require that all suppliers adhere to our strict standards regarding ethical practices, which explicitly prohibit any form of forced or coerced labour. This includes an obligation for suppliers to respect the rights of their workers, ensuring that they operate in conditions of voluntary employment, freedom of movement, and fair remuneration. To enforce compliance, we establish clear expectations regarding worker treatment and safety, mandating that suppliers provide safe working environments free from harassment or discrimination. We encourage our suppliers to communicate about their practices and report any incidents of modern slavery or human trafficking without fear of retaliation. Through these measures, we strive to build a transparent and responsible supply chain, ensuring that our commitment to ethical labour practices extends beyond our own operations.

  • Whistleblowing policy-

Our whistleblowing policy serves as a crucial mechanism for preventing modern slavery and human trafficking within our organisation. By encouraging employees to report any suspicions or evidence of unethical practices, we create an environment of transparency and accountability. This policy ensures that staff members feel safe and supported when raising concerns, with strict assurances that their reports will be treated confidentially and without fear of retaliation. To enhance the effectiveness of this policy, we actively promote awareness of the signs of modern slavery and the importance of reporting such issues, ensuring that all employees are equipped with the knowledge to identify and act upon potential cases.

  • Staff code of conduct –

Our Staff Code of Conduct establishes clear expectations of behaviour for all employees, emphasising the importance of ethical practices and respect for human rights. Each team member is required to understand and uphold standards that explicitly prohibit any engagement in, or complicity with, modern slavery, including forced labour and human trafficking. To ensure compliance, the Code outlines disciplinary actions that may be taken in cases of violation, thereby reinforcing our zero-tolerance stance on unethical practices. Regular training sessions are conducted to increase staff awareness of the signs of modern slavery, empowering employees to recognise and report any suspicious activities.

  • Procurement policy –

Our procurement policy establishes a framework for assessing and managing supplier risks, ensuring that all procurement activities align with our ethical standards. When selecting suppliers, we conduct thorough due diligence to evaluate their compliance with laws against modern slavery, including obtaining relevant certifications and documented evidence of their ethical practices. To further strengthen our proactive stance, we incorporate specific clauses into our contracts with suppliers that clearly prohibit any form of modern slavery. These agreements mandate compliance with all applicable labour laws and standards, and we require suppliers to cascade these expectations throughout their own supply chains. By fostering strong relationships with our suppliers and promoting best practices, we aim to cultivate a procurement environment that is both ethical and transparent, ensuring our collective responsibility in the fight against modern slavery.

  • Safeguarding policy –

Our safeguarding policy establishes a framework for protecting vulnerable individuals, particularly those who may be at increased risk of exploitation. The policy outlines our commitment to creating an environment where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect, and where their rights are upheld. To achieve this, we implement rigorous procedures for the identification and support of individuals who may be vulnerable to exploitation. This includes conducting risk assessments that consider factors such as age, nationality, and socioeconomic status. Regular audits and reviews of our safeguarding practices are conducted to ensure that our staff remain effective and responsive to emerging risks. By creating a culture of vigilance and continuous improvement, our safeguarding policy protects individuals within our organisation.

We make sure our suppliers are aware of our policies and adhere to the same standards.

Due Diligence

As part of our efforts to monitor and reduce the risk of slavery and human trafficking occurring in our supply chains, we have adopted the following due diligence procedures:

  • Internal supplier audits.

Our due diligence procedures aim to:

  • Identify and action potential risks in our business and supply chains.
  • Monitor potential risks in our business and supply chains
  • Reduce the risk of slavery and human trafficking occurring in our business and supply chains.
  • Provide protection for whistleblowers.

Risk and Compliance

The Company has evaluated the nature and extent of its exposure to the risk of slavery and human trafficking occurring in its UK supply chain through:

  • Reviewing on a regular basis all aspects of the supply chain based on supply chain mapping.

We do not consider that we operate in a high-risk environment because the majority of our supply chain is based in the UK and in low-risk industries, such as internet software and services.

We do not tolerate slavery and human trafficking in our supply chains. Where there is evidence of failure to comply with our policies and procedures by any of our suppliers, we will seek to terminate our relationship with that supplier immediately.

Effectiveness

The Company uses Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure its effectiveness and ensure that slavery and human trafficking are not taking place in its business and supply chains. These KPIs are as follows:

  • We will train our staff about modern slavery issues and increase awareness within the Company.

Training Staff

The Company requires its staff to complete training and ongoing refresher courses on slavery and human trafficking. The Company’s training covers:

  • How to identify the signs of slavery and human trafficking.
  • What initial steps should be taken if slavery or human trafficking is suspected.
  • What external help is available.

How to Contact Inc Studio

Inc Studio’s address: Inc Studio, Suite 633, The Plaza, 100 Old Hall St, Liverpool, L3 9QJ

Phone Number: 0800 158 3508

E-mail: hello@inc.studio

The statement is approved by the board of directors.

Ben Garner, Creative Director

Format Creative Studio TA Inc Studio

Date: 01/08/24