Meridian's Commitment to Ethical Practices

Tackling Modern Slavery in the Workforce

Modern Slavery

Our Commitment

Meridian is deeply committed to tackling modern slavery and believes in upholding the highest standards of ethical practice across our operations and supply chain.

This commitment not only helps us safeguard the rights and wellbeing of our workers but directly benefits our clients by providing them with a secure, responsible, and compliant partnership.

Stronger Together Business Partners

As a recruitment leader, Meridian understands the important part we play in tackling modern slavery. That is why we are honoured to be one of the first labour providers to be awarded Business Partner status for 2023.

Responsible Recruitment Toolkit (RRT) Business Partners

The RRT partnership is a not-for-profit global programme offering an unparalleled toolkit to help businesses achieve responsible recruitment.

The Recruitment Employment Confederation

As a member of the REC, Meridian operates under their Code of Professional Practice to ensure our processes and compliance is robust.

How we take a stand

Robust compliance and monitoring

We employ rigorous compliance and monitoring to manage modern slavery risks across all areas of our operations. This includes biannual corporate risk assessments to identify vulnerable branches and comprehensive mapping of branch activities, business models, and worker sources. Our candidate database is routinely monitored for signs of modern slavery, such as shared bank accounts and contact details, with the results shared company-wide as KPIs to ensure vigilance. Additionally, 24/7 access to translators and interpreters through Clear Voice ensures that language barriers do not hinder our efforts to protect vulnerable individuals.

Comprehensive Training Programmes

Meridian places strong emphasis on comprehensive training programmes to combat modern slavery risk across all levels of our business. Every new starter, regardless of level, undergoes essential legislation training, which includes both classroom and e-modules, ensuring they are equipped to recognise and prevent exploitation from the beginning of their employment.

To maintain our high standards of awareness, all employees participate in mandatory annual legislation updates that revisit and reinforces key aspects of modern slavery prevention.

Specialised training for managers, HR and Compliance teams, delivered by experts including Stronger Together, focuses on tackling modern slavery within UK businesses. Furthermore, our compliance team and dedicated Modern Slavery Leads have completed advanced training through Stronger Together that equips them with the necessary skills to handle sensitive situations effectively and with care. This robust training framework ensures our teams are well-prepared and continuously engaged in the fight against modern slavery.

Supporting temporary workers

We are committed to supporting temporary workers by providing them with resources and guidance on modern slavery. Meridian’s Temporary Worker Handbook offers essential information to help workers understand their rights and know where to seek assistance. Awareness posters are displayed in branches and client sites, featuring QR codes that link directly to the Welfare Helpline, making it easier for workers to access support. Additionally, we conduct regular welfare checks, offering resources and support and ensuring that workers are treated fairly and with respect.

Tackling Modern Slavery in the Supply Chain

Meridian takes a rigorous approach to working with suppliers, which reinforces our commitment to responsible sourcing and acts as a proactive measure to identify and mitigate modern slavery risks, safeguarding the integrity of our supply chain. All potential new suppliers must complete an assessment, which includes a detailed questionnaire that evaluates their practices in managing modern slavery risks, ensuring they align with Meridian’s ethical standards and commitment to human rights. Additionally, our Supplier Code of Conduct sets clear expectations, outlining mandatory requirements that all suppliers must adhere to.

Internal Engagement & Awareness

Meridian's Modern Slavery Team

Meridian's Modern Slavery Team was formed in 2023 with representatives from all business units, including HR and Compliance.

The team is comprised of Modern Slavery Leads and Champions tasked with raising awareness internally and with clients and workers. The team meets quarterly with an agenda to continuously improve how Meridian manages our modern slavery risks and provides the rest of the business with details of monitored issues being recorded using both a monthly and year-to-date summary. In addition, the team issues a quarterly internal update comprising of educational pieces, internal and external workshops and webinars available.