Direct Staff UK are an equal opportunities employer and engage a diverse temporary labour pool. All temporary colleagues are recruited directly from the UK and all nationalities are welcome. The safeguarding and protection of our temporary colleagues is paramount and processes have been implemented to avoid the risk of any temporary colleague becoming controlled and exploited by a third party.
We also uphold the principles of the Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code which affords our temporary colleagues greater protection than provided by law.
Colleague welfare principles:
- Make the workplace safe and eliminate or control risks to health;
- Ensure plant and machinery are safe and that safe systems of work are set and followed;
- Ensure articles and substances are moved, stored and used safely, providing adequate welfare facilities;
- Give workers the information, instruction, training and supervision necessary for their health and safety;
We also uphold the principles of the Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code which affords our temporary colleagues greater protection than provided by law.
Recognised as a leader within our industry sectors, Direct Staff UK are GLAA licensed, members of Stronger Together, ALP and SEDEX approved.
Operating to the highest industry standards, we successful supply labour solutions to regulated sectors such as Food / Fresh Produce (GLAA) and Hospitality
This not only requires expertise in these specific areas, it means Direct Staff UK are also screened and audited by a government body to hold and renew a legislative license annually.
The company has a dedicated Compliance team who ensure compliance across every area of the business. From training all of our staff on Immigration – Right to Work, License Checks and Stronger Together, to ensuring that our colleagues’ welfare is maintained and that clients can rest safe at night in the knowledge that their business is being protected in all critical compliance areas.
Modern Slavery
To make sure we recognise unfairness when we see it, our teams are put through rigorous training programs developed by our Compliance Director. When it comes to equality, we intend to exceed industry standards.
We’re in full support of fair working practices, and we fight against hidden labour exploitation with company programs and training courses that tackle these issues.
Stronger Together
Stronger Together is a multi-stakeholder business-led initiative aiming to reduce modern slavery; particularly forced labour, labour trafficking and other hidden third party exploitation of workers. We provide guidance, training, resources and a network for employers, labour providers, workers and their representatives to work together to reduce exploitation.
Stronger Together offer a range of in-depth, specialist training opportunities on tackling modern slavery including open workshops, e-learning modules and bespoke in-house training. Our resources are free to download and include information posters, leaflets and powerful short films for training and induction of employees and temporary and seasonal workers; interactive checklists and template policies; and best-practice industry toolkits. Our in-depth toolkits inform and equip businesses with clear measures they can implement to deter, detect and deal with exploitation in their business and supply chain.
Stronger Together focus on creating advice that is practical, pragmatic and easy for any business, of any size to understand and use. Stronger Together launched in the UK in 2013 and have since grown to have a global reach, running projects and programmes in countries across the world.
Ethical trading
Direct Staff UK operate our business in line with the Ethical Trading policy:
1. Employment is freely chosen.
Temporary Colleagues are free to choose when they wish to work and which assignments they wish to accept.
No recruitment fees are charged and workers are free to leave our employment after reasonable notice.
2. Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are respected.
Temporary colleagues are free to join or form a trade union of their own choosing and to bargain collectively.
Worker representatives are not discriminated against and have access to carry out representative functions.
3. Working conditions are safe and hygienic.
We work in collaboration with our client to ensure a healthy and safe working environment for our temporary colleagues.
Health & Safety Induction training is provided to all temporary colleagues.
4. Child labour shall not be used.
All temporary colleagues are of minimum working age or older.
Young persons under 18 are not employed on night shifts or in hazardous conditions.
5. Living Wages are paid
Temporary colleague are paid no less than the appropriate National Minimum Wage.
Itemised payslips are provided for all temporary colleagues
No deductions apart from those allowable by law (Tax & NI) are made from temporary colleagues’ pay.
6. Working hours are not excessive
Temporary colleagues are provided at least one day off in every seven day period or two days off in fourteen.
Temporary colleagues are not permitted to work in excess of 60 hours in any seven day period.
7. No discrimination is practised
We operate a zero tolerance policy in relation to discrimination in hiring, termination or retirement based on age, race, national origin, religion, disability, gender, marital status or sexual orientation
8. Regular employment is provided
All Temporary colleagues are engaged under a recognised contractual employment relationship.
First Call endeavour to ensure that temporary colleagues remain in continual employment subject to business/seasonal fluctuations in volume.
9. No harsh or inhumane treatment is allowed
We maintain a zero tolerance on physical abuse or discipline, sexual or other harassment and verbal abuse or other forms of intimidation.
The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA)
The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority works in partnership to protect vulnerable and exploited workers.
It is a Non Departmental Public Body (NDPB) governed by an independent Board made up of a chair and six members, who were recruited for their respective knowledge, experience and skills.
Their role is to protect vulnerable and exploited workers. Through the intelligence they receive from their inspections, the public, industry and other government departments, they investigate reports of worker exploitation and illegal activity such as human trafficking, forced labour and illegal labour provision, as well as offences under the National Minimum Wage and Employment Agencies Acts.
They investigate all aspects of labour exploitation in England and Wales but they also work with partner organisations such as the police, the National Crime Agency and other government law enforcement agencies to target, dismantle and disrupt serious and organised crime across the UK.
Their licensing scheme regulates businesses who provide workers to the fresh produce supply chain and horticulture industry, to make sure they meet the employment standards required by law.
As an employment agency, labour provider or gangmaster who provides workers to the sectors listed below, we are required to hold a GLAA licence:
- Agriculture
- Horticulture
- Shellfish gathering
- Any associated processing and packaging
How does the licensing scheme work?
Labour providers are assessed to check they meet the GLAA licensing standards which cover health and safety, accommodation, pay, transport and training. The GLAA check that they are fit to hold a licence and that tax, National Insurance and VAT regulations are met.
A labour provider must have a GLAA licence to work in the regulated sectors, it is a criminal offence to supply workers without a licence or use an unlicensed labour provider.
What are the benefits of licensing?
Workers receive fair treatment, the pay, benefits and conditions they are entitled to.
Labour providers are not undercut by those who pay less than the minimum wage or avoid tax. Industry standards are raised.
Labour users can check their workers come from a legitimate provider and are informed if their labour provider’s licence is revoked.
Consumers can be assured that their food has been picked and packed in an ethical environment. Illegal activities which lead to a loss of public revenue – income tax, VAT and NI – are reduced.