Modern Slavery Statement

Introduction

This statement sets out the actions that Everest Work ("we", "us", or "our") has taken to understand all potential modern slavery risks related to its business and to put in place steps that are aimed at ensuring that there is no slavery or human trafficking in its own business and its supply chains.

This statement relates to actions and activities during the financial year ending 2025.

As a recruitment business, we recognise that we have a responsibility to take a robust approach to slavery and human trafficking. We are absolutely committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in our corporate activities, and to ensuring that our supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking.

1. Organizational Structure and Business

Everest Work operates as both an Employment Agency (introducing candidates for permanent employment) and an Employment Business (engaging temporary workers for assignment with hirers). We operate primarily in the UK.

Our business involves complying with the specific legal and regulatory requirements of the recruitment sector, including the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003.

Our Business Includes:

• Sourcing and placing permanent candidates with clients.
• Engaging and supplying temporary workers to client sites.
• Providing recruitment consultancy services.

2. Our Supply Chains

Our supply chains are limited, but we recognise that the greatest risk of modern slavery lies in the supply of temporary labour.

Our supply chains include:

• Umbrella Companies: Intermediaries used to pay some temporary workers.
• Support Suppliers: Suppliers of goods and services for our own business use (e.g., IT equipment, office supplies, legal and accountancy services).
• Second-tier Agencies: Other recruitment agencies we may partner with to fill specific roles.

We expect our suppliers and potential suppliers to aim for high ethical standards and to operate in an ethical, legally compliant, and professional manner. We also expect our suppliers to promote similar standards in their own supply chains.

3. Policies on Slavery and Human Trafficking

We are committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in our supply chains or in any part of our business. Our internal policies reflect our commitment to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships.

We operate the following policies that describe our approach to the identification of modern slavery risks and steps to be taken to prevent slavery and human trafficking in our operations:

• Whistleblowing Policy: We encourage all our workers, customers, and other business partners to report any concerns related to the direct activities, or the supply chains of, our organisation. This includes any circumstances that may give rise to an enhanced risk of slavery or human trafficking.
• Employee Code of Conduct: Our code makes clear to employees the actions and behaviour expected of them when representing our organisation. We strive to maintain the highest standards of employee conduct and ethical behaviour when managing our supply chain and placing candidates.
• Supplier Code of Conduct: We are committed to ensuring that our suppliers adhere to the highest standards of ethics. Suppliers are required to demonstrate that they provide safe working conditions where necessary, treat workers with dignity and respect, and act ethically and within the law in their use of labour.
• Recruitment Policy: We use only specified, reputable employment agencies to source labour and always verify the practices of any new agency we are using before accepting workers from that agency. We verify the identity and right to work of every candidate we place.

4. Due Diligence Processes

We undertake due diligence when considering taking on new suppliers and regularly review our existing suppliers. Our due diligence and reviews include:

• Right to Work Checks: Strictly complying with UK Right to Work legislation for all candidates.
• Umbrella Company Vetting: We only work with umbrella companies that are compliant with HMRC regulations. We prefer those accredited by the FCSA (Freelancer and Contractor Services Association) or Professional Passport.
• Supplier Audits: We evaluate the modern slavery and human trafficking risks of each new supplier.
• Identity Verification: We conduct face-to-face or digital identity checks to ensure that workers are who they say they are and are not being forced to work by a third party.
• Bank Account Checks: We ensure that workers are paid into their own bank accounts and not into third-party accounts (which can be a sign of forced labour).

5. Training

To ensure a high level of understanding of the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking in our supply chains and our business, we provide training to our staff.

Training is focused on:

• How to identify the signs of slavery and human trafficking.
• What initial steps should be taken if slavery or human trafficking is suspected.
• How to escalate potential slavery or human trafficking issues to the relevant parties within our organisation.
• External help available, such as the Modern Slavery Helpline (08000 121 700).

6. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

We use the following key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure how effective we have been to ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in any part of our business or supply chains:

• Staff Training Levels: 100% of recruitment consultants trained in identifying modern slavery risks.
• Supplier Audits: 100% of new umbrella companies vetted before engagement.
• Whistleblowing: Number of reports received from employees, the public, or law enforcement agencies to indicate that modern slavery practices have been identified.

7. Approval

This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes our slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending 2025.