At Fresh People, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of ethics, transparency, and fairness in all our recruitment processes. Our Ethical Trade Policy outlines the principles and practices we expect to be followed by both Fresh People and the customers to whom we supply permanent candidates. We believe that ethical recruitment is essential for ensuring a sustainable and respectful working environment for everyone involved.

1. Fair Recruitment Practices

Fresh People adheres to ethical recruitment practices that ensure transparency, fairness, and equal opportunity for all candidates. We commit to:

– Ensuring that all candidates are recruited based on merit, skills, and experience.
– Prohibiting discrimination based on race, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.
– Providing clear and accurate information regarding job roles, responsibilities, compensation, and working conditions to all candidates.

We expect our clients to uphold the same principles and to ensure that all individuals are treated with fairness, respect, and dignity throughout the recruitment and employment process.

2. No Forced Labour

Fresh People we commit to:

– Only recruiting individuals who are of legal working age.
– Ensuring that all candidates are entering employment freely, without coercion or exploitation. We expect our clients to comply with all applicable laws and regulations

3. Wages and Working Conditions

Fresh People ensures that all roles offered to candidates meet legal wage requirements and that job descriptions provide transparent information on compensation. We expect our clients to:

– Comply with all applicable laws regarding wages, benefits, working hours, and working conditions.
– Provide a safe, healthy, and secure working environment for all employees.
– Support and encourage employee well-being, ensuring that work-life balance is respected.

4. Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining

We support every individual’s right to freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining. We expect our clients to:

– Respect employees’ rights to form or join unions or other worker organizations.
– Engage in good faith with these groups to promote positive working relations.

5. Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity

Fresh People is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We expect our clients to:

– Ensure that there is no discrimination or harassment in the workplace, whether based on race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, or any other protected characteristic.
– Provide equal opportunities for all employees in recruitment, training, promotion, and other aspects of employment.

6. Environmental Responsibility

We recognize the importance of environmental sustainability and encourage our clients to adopt practices that minimize their environmental impact. This includes:

– Reducing waste and energy use wherever possible.
– Promoting environmentally friendly practices and awareness within the workplace.

7. Legal Compliance

Fresh People and our clients must comply with all applicable regulations and industry standards. This includes but is not limited to:

– Health and safety laws.
– Employment laws.
– Environmental regulations.

We expect our clients to maintain a legal and regulatory framework that supports ethical practices at all times.

8. Transparency and Communication

We are committed to transparent and honest communication with both our candidates and clients. This includes:

– Openly discussing any concerns related to unethical practices.
– Encouraging feedback from candidates and clients to continually improve our ethical standards.

9. Grievance and Reporting Mechanism

Fresh People provides a confidential and accessible grievance mechanism for both candidates and clients to report unethical behavior or violations of this policy. We take all complaints seriously and commit to:

– Investigating and addressing any reports of unethical practices promptly and fairly.
– Protecting whistleblowers and those who report concerns in good faith.

We expect our clients to implement their own reporting mechanisms and to take swift action to address any unethical practices within their organizations.

10. Commitment to Continuous Improvement

At Fresh People, we are committed to the continuous review and improvement of our ethical trade practices. We aim to:

– Regularly update this policy to reflect changes in the legal and ethical landscape.
– Work closely with our clients to promote and implement ethical trade and recruitment practices.

Fresh People is proud to uphold the highest ethical standards in recruitment and as an employment agency. We expect the same commitment from our clients, ensuring that together we create a

respectful, fair, and inclusive workplace for all. By partnering with us, you agree to adhere to the principles outlined in this Ethical Trade Policy.

For any questions or further information, please contact us at Fresh People (enquiries@freshpeople.co.uk)

This policy ensures a clear framework for ethical recruitment and as an employment agency, creating a trustworthy and sustainable partnership between Fresh People and our clients.