Our commitment to the principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2015

 

We recognise that all businesses possess a strong responsibility and have a key role to play  in preventing all types of modern slavery in their own business through the promotion of ethical business practices and policies.

For this reason, Yoti is committed to the principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the abolition of modern slavery and human trafficking. Yoti does not have a legal obligation to publish a policy statement under the Modern Slavery Act but would like to do so anyway. 

We’ve set out the steps Yoti has taken and will continue to take to understand and minimise the potential risk of slavery, human trafficking, servitude, forced or compulsory labour, and child labour in its business and in those of its suppliers and vendors.

 

Due Diligence 

As an employer

We’re a global business with operations across Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. Yoti is also an equal opportunities employer, fully committed to creating and ensuring a non-discriminatory, inclusive and respectful working environment for all our staff. Our recruitment and people management processes are designed to ensure that all prospective employees are legally entitled to work in the country in which Yoti’s legal entity is based, and to safeguard employees from any abuse or coercion.

For this reason:

  • We will treat all employees fairly and honestly, regardless of where they work. All staff will have agreed terms and conditions in accordance with local law or practice and will be given appropriate job skills training.
  • We will pay a fair wage reflecting local markets and conditions. We will always meet any national minimum wage and aim to pay all our employees above the local cost of living.
  • Working hours shall not be excessive, complying with industry guidelines and national standards where they exist.
  • We will not employ or condone illegal child labour, forced or bonded labour, or forced overtime.
  • We will abide by the non-discrimination laws in every country where we operate.
  • We will not use or condone the use of corporal punishment, mental or physical coercion or verbal abuse. We have disciplinary procedures for any member of staff whose conduct falls below the required standard.
  • We have formal grievance procedures (YT052 and YT252) through which staff can raise personal and work-related issues.

 

As a business

Yoti relies on a variety of suppliers and vendors across the organisation. We do not enter into business with any organisation, in the UK or abroad, which knowingly supports or is found to be involved in slavery,  human trafficking, servitude and forced or compulsory labour. We will also protect whistleblowers. 

For this reason:

  • Our Supplier Policy (YT208) sets out due diligence requisites for our suppliers and vendors. Among the requirements is confirmation that they have fulfilled their statutory requirement (if they meet the criteria to do so) to produce a Modern Slavery Statement.  

Yoti’s minimum expectations of its suppliers and vendors are: 

  • No forced, bonded or involuntary prison labour or child labour.
  • Workers have rights to join or form trade unions and rights for free association and bargaining. 
  • Working conditions are clean, safe and hygienic. 
  • Working hours comply with national laws and benchmark industry standards. 
  • Physical abuse or discipline, the threat of physical abuse, sexual or other harassment and verbal abuse or other forms of intimidation are prohibited.

 

Exposing wrongdoing

We want all our staff to feel confident that they can expose wrongdoing without any risk to themselves and to their colleagues. 

In our risk management policy (YT176),  we have appointed a number of Risk Champions. They are the nominated custodians of risk who represent specific business areas, specialisms, and Yoti’s business as a whole. On a quarterly basis, they are responsible for identifying and assessing bottom-up risks and reporting these risks to the Central Management Team. The Risk Champions have autonomy in determining how best they discharge this quarterly obligation. 

In our Whistleblowing procedure (YT052/ YT252), we have laid out procedures aimed at encouraging Yoti staff or any others person of interest with serious concerns regarding any aspect of their work, the conduct of others, or the running of the Company, to report such concerns in confidence and with confidence. The aim of the policy is to enable individuals to report any-and-all wrongdoing with the understanding that they have nothing to fear and will not suffer reprisals or victimisation.

 

Our policies which relate to the Modern Slavery Act 2015

A copy of the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 is available to all staff through the Yoti shared drive and online here. 

In addition, the following policies are available to all staff through the company documents library:

  • Code of Ethics
  • Risk Management Policy
  • Whistleblowing Policy
  • Supplier Policy

These policies set out the standards required of our staff and include details of the steps  in place to report issues or concerns about Modern Slavery linked to our organisation. 

 

Looking ahead to the future

We are continually considering ways of maximising positive, societal contributions of our own business and that of our suppliers and vendors across the organisation. 

We have engaged with organisations such as The Anti-Slavery Collective, and continue to actively investigate how our technology can help the wider social sector combat human trafficking.

As we develop our thinking around modern slavery, we will continue to update our governance processes to ensure compliance with  both legal requirements and industry best practice.