At Fresh People, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and responsibility in our recruitment practices for the fresh produce and food manufacturing industries. As a permanent recruitment body, we understand the importance of addressing any concerns or grievances that may arise during the recruitment process or in the employment relationships we facilitate.

This Grievance and Remediation Policy outlines the procedures for addressing and resolving grievances raised by candidates, clients, or employees. It also highlights our commitment to fair, transparent, and responsible remediation in cases where issues are identified.

1. Policy Objectives

The objectives of this policy are to:
– Provide a clear and transparent process for reporting and addressing grievances.
– Ensure that grievances are handled fairly, promptly, and confidentially.
– Promote accountability and ethical conduct within Fresh People and the organizations we work with.
– Commit to effective remediation, where necessary, to resolve issues in a way that respects the rights and dignity of all parties involved.

2. Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to all grievances or complaints related to:
– Recruitment practices at Fresh People.
– The behaviour and conduct of Fresh People employees and representatives.
– The roles or work environments provided by our clients, particularly in cases where candidates experience issues related to discrimination, unfair treatment, harassment, or breaches of employment rights.
– Any other concerns raised by candidates, clients, or employees that pertain to the recruitment or employment processes.

3. Grievance Reporting Procedure

Fresh People encourages open communication and provides accessible channels for reporting grievances. We commit to ensuring that anyone affected can raise concerns without fear of retaliation or negative consequences.

Step 1: Reporting a Grievance
– Grievances may be submitted by candidates, clients, or employees who feel that they have been wronged or have encountered unethical or unfair practices.
– Grievances can be reported through the following channels:
– Email: Complaints can be sent to a designated email address enquiries@freshpeople.co.uk with a clear description of the issue.
– Phone: Grievances may be reported via phone by contacting our office at 07985204888.
-In Person: Complaints can be raised directly with a Fresh People representative or management.

Step 2: Acknowledgment
– Once a grievance is submitted, it will be acknowledged within two business days by our Grievance Officer or another appointed member of our team.

– A timeline for the investigation and resolution process will be provided at this stage, with regular updates to follow.

4. Investigation and Resolution Process

Step 3: Investigation
– All grievances will be thoroughly investigated by an impartial member of our team. In cases where a
conflict of interest exists, a third party may be brought in to ensure neutrality.
– Investigations will include gathering relevant evidence, such as interviews with the complainant, witnesses, or involved parties, and reviewing any relevant documentation.
– Fresh People commits to conducting all investigations with respect, confidentiality, and in line with relevant employment and data protection laws (e.g., GDPR).

Step 4: Resolution
Upon completion of the investigation, a resolution will be determined. This may involve:
– Direct mediation between the involved parties to resolve disputes amicably.
– Remediation steps, such as offering alternative placements for candidates, corrective action within Fresh People’s internal processes, or recommendations for clients to address issues within their organizations.
– Disciplinary action, if a Fresh People employee is found to have violated company policies or ethical standards.
– The complainant will be informed of the outcome and the actions taken to address the grievance. We aim to resolve grievances within 10 business days wherever possible, though complex cases may take longer.

5. Remediation and Corrective Actions

At Fresh People, we are committed to taking appropriate corrective action to resolve grievances and prevent recurrence. Remediation may include, but is not limited to:

– For Candidates: Ensuring that candidates are not placed in harmful or unethical work environments, offering alternative placements where necessary, and ensuring fair treatment during the recruitment and employment process.
– For Clients: Working closely with clients to address any concerns related to working conditions, employment rights, or ethical practices. In cases of severe breaches of human rights, discrimination, or employment regulations , Fresh People reserves the right to terminate business relationships with clients who fail to take corrective action.
-For Fresh People Employees: Ensuring that any breaches of our internal policies or ethical standards by staff are addressed through appropriate disciplinary measures, including training, warnings, or termination if necessary.

Where systemic issues are identified, Fresh People will conduct a broader review of its practices and implement company-wide changes to address the root causes of the grievance.

6. Confidentiality and Non-Retaliation

Fresh People treats all grievances with the highest degree of confidentiality. We ensure that:
– The identity of the complainant will only be shared with those directly involved in the investigation or resolution process, and only with the complainant’s consent.
– No one will face retaliation or disadvantage for raising a legitimate grievance. Any retaliatory actions by clients, Fresh People staff, or candidates will be subject to strict disciplinary measures.

7. Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

Fresh People is committed to monitoring the effectiveness of this Grievance and Remediation Policy and ensuring continuous improvement in our practices. This includes:
– Regularly reviewing grievances and outcomes to identify trends or areas where improvements are needed.

– Conducting periodic training for our staff on grievance handling, ethics, and professional conduct.
– Collaborating with our clients to promote best practices in workplace standards and grievance management within the fresh produce and food manufacturing industries.

8. Client Collaboration and Accountability

As part of our commitment to responsible recruitment, Fresh People expects clients to:
– Have their own grievance procedures in place to ensure fair treatment of employees and to resolve workplace issues in a timely manner.
– Cooperate with Fresh People during grievance investigations that involve placements made through our services.
– Act on recommendations for remediation to improve working conditions, prevent discrimination, and promote a respectful, fair, and safe workplace environment.

In cases where a client fails to act responsibly or refuses to remediate serious issues, Fresh People may reassess its partnership with that client, including the potential termination of our working relationship.

Fresh People is dedicated to maintaining ethical, transparent, and responsible recruitment practices. This Grievance and Remediation Policy ensures that all stakeholders—whether candidates, clients, or employees—have a voice and a clear process for resolving grievances. By working collaboratively with our clients and continually improving our internal processes, we aim to foster trust and integrity in all of our business relationships.

For more information or to raise a concern, please contact us at enquiries@freshpeople.co.uk

This policy provides a comprehensive framework for addressing grievances and demonstrating Fresh People’s commitment to ethical responsibility in permanent recruitment.