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Modern Slavery in the UK – Whose Problem is it?

Modern Slavery in the UK – Whose Problem is it?

by | Dec 2, 2020 | Corporate Governance, News

Addressing the growing hidden issue of Modern Slavery

For many people across the UK, today is the day businesses reopen their doors, consumers head out to grab a cheap bargain and retailers try to make up for lost lockdown profits by staying open for 24 hours a day. But did you know, today is the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery. It is 250 years since the transatlantic slave trade was abolished, yet the UK government estimates that there are tens of thousands of people in the UK today in slavery, with over 5000 modern slavery offences recorded in 2019.

What is Modern Slavery in 2020?

Modern Slavery takes many forms, but increasing cases of human trafficking, labour exploitation and debt bondage are appearing in the UK workplace. Modern slavery exists everywhere – in our communities and our local businesses and as well as trafficking also includes sexual exploitation, domestic slavery and forced labour.

According to antislavery.org, Human Trafficking exists because vulnerable people are often willing to take big risks in order to provide for their families and traffickers exploit this human desire, often offering victims a seemingly great job in the UK. When they arrive here, the situation is completely different – their passport might be taken away, they could be told they have to pay off their debt to their traffickers before they can leave and they’re exposed to violence and threats. They are trapped here with no possessions, no means to return and become totally reliant on their traffickers.

Vulnerable British people are also targeted – especially individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds (including children) – to be groomed into drug criminal gangs in so-called ’county lines’ trafficking.

Where does Modern Slavery occur?

Modern Slavery can happen anywhere, in any industry including (but not limited to) farms, in the construction industry, in shops, hospitality, the beauty industry, car washes or during the manufacturing process in factories. It is often driven by consumer desire for cheap products and services with very little thought given to the people it could be harming.

Complicated and convoluted labour supply chains can often allow forced labour to thrive. Some companies with large market presence in the UK may indirectly rely on people working in slavery to produce the goods they sell, or have supply chains that can encourage trafficking. Many companies use sub-contracting and supply chains managed by external staff can often mask or hide company involvement in slavery – whether intentional or not.

Clearly, Modern Slavery is a problem that everyone needs to be made aware of so that staff within UK organisations can work together to diminish the tolerance of slavery and in time, eradicate it all together.

 

Spotting the signs of Modern Slavery

 

You will probably come across people who are in slavery on a regular basis and they may appear ordinary, just like you and me. But, take a closer look and you might spot some of the common warning signs – red flags – that indicate that slavery could be occurring.

Working Conditions

Victims may have no contract, be unable to choose when or where they work, not have any time off or be forced to work long hours over long periods. They could also be reluctant to share personal information with colleagues.

Living Arrangements

Victims may not know their home or work address, live in poor, sub-standard or unsuitable accommodation, have no choice about where they live or who they live with or live in excessively large groups in the same place.

Restricted Freedoms

Victims may not have possession of their passport or identity documents, they could appear reluctant to seek medical care when needed and depend on their employer or other person for work, travel and accommodation without any freedom of choice.

Physical Appearance

Victims may suffer injuries that could be a result of assault or control measures, they may wear the same clothes every day, not be dressed adequately for work or be without protective or warm clothing. They could also have unexplained injuries.

Finances

Victims may receive little or no payment for their work, have no access to their own money, be charged for services they don’t want or need or be disciplined through punishment or fines.

If you suspect that someone is in slavery, do not confront them or try to fix it yourself as this could lead to increased harm for them. Instead, inform relevant authorities or organisations such as the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 or if necessary call the Police.

Educating your workforce to help prevent Modern Slavery

 

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 requires all organisations with a turnover of over 37 million to produce an annual statement on how they are combatting Modern Slavery. However, all organisations have a responsibility to make their staff aware of this escalating problem and a growing number are now requesting evidence of an ethical supply chain, free from Modern Slavery, where all individuals are treated fairly and justly and their Human Rights are supported. By recognising and talking about this issue, we can raise awareness amongst our friends, employees and co-workers.

Modern slavery awareness training

Staff training, such as that provided in our Modern Slavery Awareness Training Course is essential to help teach all staff about this issue, thus helping eradicate the issue of Modern Slavery in workforces across the UK.

If you would like more information about how we can support your staff training and help raise your employees awareness of Modern Slavery, take a look at our Modern Slavery awareness training which forms part of our Corporate Governance suite of courses which includes also LGBTQ Awareness training, Equality and Diversity training and many more.

Mental Health Awareness Week – Being Kind to Yourself

Mental Health Awareness Week – Being Kind to Yourself

by | May 21, 2020 | Health and Safety, Health and Wellbeing

Hosted by the Mental Health Awareness foundation, this week (May 18th – 24th) is Mental Health Awareness Week with the theme this year being ‘Kindness’. 

With data from the Office of Statistics published by Public Health England showing that more than 4 in 5 (84.2%) of us are worried about the effect that the coronavirus pandemic is having on our lives and around 50% saying it is affecting their wellbeing and reporting high levels of anxiety, it lead me to wondering if kindness to others should extend to being kind to ourselves.

For many of us, the last 9 weeks have probably been one of the most challenging times experienced in our lifetimes. The initial shock of the significant changes to our lives may have passed but we are now left grappling with a new kind of normal that many people find hard to manage.

Everyone in the country has been affected by COVID-19 in some way – be it through enforced staying at home and being separated from friends and family, uncertainty about work or education or knowing someone who has been taken ill or sadly taken from us with the virus. Some of us are furloughed or working from home, others are unemployed or doing a totally different kind of job.

We hear stories of brave key workers putting their lives on the line, we face the challenges of home schooling, we hear conflicting news reports, we deal with life under lockdown, the lifting of lockdown, confusion, gossip and speculation – the list of challenges to our mental health goes on and on. The normality as we knew it already seems a distant memory, and with no fixed date for its’ return, it is easy to get caught up in longing for the familiar and feeling anxious about the future – both of which can both negatively impact our mental health. 

Mentalhealth.gov says that our mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood and never more so than now. 

With so much going on, it is important to take time to look after our mental health – and following the Metal Health Awareness Week theme of ‘Kindness’, as well as looking out for our children, our family, our friends and our colleagues, we should make sure to take some time just to be kind to ourselves. It can be easy to neglect our own mental health, assuming that we can just keep plodding on and we will be fine. But actually, if we’re not fine, that’s OK and it is important to acknowledge it. Mental health and wellbeing are as much a part of our genetic makeup as our physical health and capability and everyone will have their own levels of tolerance, adaptability and resilience. Just because one person finds their current situation perfectly fine to manage, it doesn’t mean you will be able to too. So, as well as looking after ourselves physically, it is just as important to find the time to look after ourselves mentally and emotionally – especially now, when we’re dealing with such challenging times.

To help the needs of our clients and the people around us, the team here at REALSENSE has been working in partnership with Mental Health experts at Zentano and developing our ‘Mental Health’ interactive online learning course. We’ve also been trying to focus on looking after our own mental health. Different things work for different people and a quick (virtual) office poll showed that we all have different ways of looking after ourselves.

Mental Health Awareness – Wellbeing Tips

Some of the simple steps we have found help look after our mental wellbeing include: 

Establish a routine. Whether that’s doing some work before home schooling, splitting the day between the two or just writing a quick to-do list on a post-it note, breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks and feeling a sense of achievement upon completion can be beneficial to mental health.

Stay connected. It’s easy to become isolated very quickly when working from home or if you’re stuck indoors in isolation. Zoom, Facetime, Teams, Skype, all of these can keep us in touch with friends, family and colleagues. Even making sure you say ‘good morning’ to one another in the company group chat can make you feel like you’re still a part of a team and have human connections. Have a virtual team coffee morning with your colleagues or get your book club together (virtually) for a glass of wine and a chat. New normal can still feel normal when there is a human connection.

Get some exercise. This can vary from a gentle walk, a Joe Wicks PE session or a full-on Body Combat session on your gym instructor’s YouTube channel (although try not to kick your husband’s pride and joy TV by accident like I did). 

Do something nice for yourself. Whatever it might be. Make time to read a book or watch a movie, or have a good home pamper.

Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water is great for helping our brains function and keeping us feeling more alert. My Mum would say ‘nothing beats a good cup of tea’ (although be careful not to overdo caffeine).

Sleep. It’s not always easy to come by lately, with so much going on in our minds; some people find it hard staying asleep, some people find it hard getting to sleep as it can be difficult switching off in the evening. There are some links below that can help with various techniques and suggestions. Personally, I like reading and using Headspace whereas a colleague (naming no names) confessed to watching the Twilight movies at 5am! Being aware and trying to find things that work for you is what matters as sleep is so important in maintaining good mental health. 

In a world where you can be anything, be kind

Jennifer Dukes Lee

One of my favourite quotes is “In a world where you can be anything, be kind”. Clearly now is the time for coming together with kindness but amongst all the amazing acts of kindness we learn are done every day, this week how about taking some time out for your own mental health and being kind to yourself? 

Our Stress & Mental Health Awareness training courses form a part of our growing Health and Wellbeing training suite.

 All the links below also offer help and advice to support your mental health and wellbeing. 

https://www.ted.com/talks/andy_puddicombe_all_it_takes_is_10_mindful_minutes?language=en#t-541410
Working from Home… The Reality?

Working from Home… The Reality?

by | Mar 26, 2020 | Coronavirus (Covid-19), Employment and HR, Health and Safety, Health and Wellbeing, Industry and Technology News

As developers of high-quality home worker e-learning courses and proud advocates of our new online Homeworking training course, we thought we knew everything there was to know about working from home. Health and safety – tick, not sitting with my laptop on my knee – tick…how hard could it be? Little did we know…. enter Coronavirus and suddenly the REALSENSE team find themselves on house arrest. So, without further ado, we give you the ‘new lighthearted rules of homeworking’.

New (Lighthearted) Rules of Home Working

1.     Attire – Pyjama bottoms are the new work trousers. Who says home working can’t mean comfort? Comfortable, cosy and soothing, who wants to be sitting around the house wearing work clothes? No ironing required. (We’re looking for the positives in this current crazy climate). Pop a smart top on for video calls (or even a suit jacket over a onesie as one entrepreneurial client suggested) and no one will ever know the difference. Ladies, bras are entirely optional!

2.     Video conference calls – Skype, Zoom, Google Hang-outs…whatever your choice of platform, always remember one point of etiquette – no unscheduled calling! At least give us time to brush our hair and put on some make up before we terrify you with our unkempt appearance. (We hear Zoom has a function to make you look better…sadly for our clients we haven’t found it yet.) Think about your background too – do you really want your clients to see your Take That calendar with hearts drawn on it? (Guilty!)

3.     Children – normally we wouldn’t even consider bringing them into the office, but now we’re trying to juggle home-schooling with working at home. As the only thing in our diaries these days is Tippex, entertaining the kids while working and having to stay at home is really tough. Suggestions we’ve heard from friends and colleagues – Netflix is your friend. Bribes – bribes work (and ice lollies, seeing as it already feels like the Summer Holidays). If all else fails “Alexa…teach Key Stage Two Maths”.

4.     Lunch break. Biscuits. At home, sitting around all day, the biscuit cupboard is calling…. needs no further explaining. And tea, plenty of tea, constantly wondering how quickly the tea bag stockpile is going to run out.

5.     Work Colleague Pets. Cats/dogs/fish as work colleagues are making a regular appearance in our Twitter feed – Does talking to yourself count? “Would you like a brew?” “oh…only if you’re making yourself one…” We’re already fearing for our sanity and it’s only week one. Time to buy a fish?

6.     Exercise – does picking up a pen count? Fitbits sit redundant in drawers, daily walks ‘the long way round’ to the staff kitchen or toilet have dramatically decreased. Now we undertake everything outside the ‘office’ in stealth mode to avoid the call of ‘Mummy! I’m hungry!’ We’ve seen various footballers on social media doing the ‘loo roll challenge’ but toilet roll is far too precious a commodity these days to be used for exercising!

Whilst we can take a lighthearted look at what feels like the new rules when working from home, home working can have a significant effect on our mental health – increased stress, less social interaction, worries about health and money anxieties. Coupled with too much to juggle and social isolation as well as a lack of motivation, the reality of working at home can be tough. Now more than ever, it’s important for us to consider the steps we can take to look after ourselves and take care of our mental health.

Home Worker E-Learning Courses

For further information about working at home, supporting staff mental health or any other home worker e-learning courses that you might need at the current time, talk to us at REALSENSE Solutions. We offer a suite of internet-based training courses for employers and employees working from home to ensure that you can still support and train your staff during the unprecedented coming months (and our courses can even be accessed while wearing your pjs, no-one will ever know!)