Human Rights & Modern Slavery Policy

Introduction
Offspring International Ltd (OIL) serves clients and communities around the world, working to achieve our purpose: to build trust in society and solve important problems. 

That is why OIL will seek to act in accordance with internationally-recognised human rights and standards, including the International Bill of Human Rights, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, making them integral to the way OIL operate. 

OIL are working to guard against being complicit in human rights violations and to uphold the human rights of our people and any other individuals that OIL are in contact with, either directly or indirectly.

Scope
Our Human Rights Policy applies to all OIL staff. We also expect our suppliers to respect and adhere to this policy.

Principles
We will:

• Seek to avoid causing or contributing to adverse human rights impacts through our own activities and address such impacts, if they do occur, in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Seek to prevent or mitigate adverse human rights impacts that are directly related to our operations, products and services through our business relationships.
• Provide for or cooperate in their remediation through legitimate processes, if we identify that we have caused or contributed to adverse human rights impacts.
• Continue to look for ways to support the promotion of human rights within our operations and our sphere of influence.

Policy
This sets out our position with respect to human rights and modern slavery and sits alongside our Health and Safety Policy and Code of Conduct.

Our statements below draw upon the International Bill of Human Rights, the OIL Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights:

• Child Labour: OIL will not use child labour and will comply with all relevant laws in this regard. We do, however, support legitimate workplace apprenticeships, internships and other similar programmes that comply with the applicable laws and regulations.
• Modern slavery: OIL will not use forced, bonded or involuntary labour, and workers are not required to lodge ‘deposits’ or identity papers with the firm and can leave after giving reasonable notice, with all wages owed to be paid. We have a zero-tolerance approach towards human trafficking.
• Health, Safety and Hygiene: All OIL employees will work in an environment that is both safe and healthy, in line with our Health and Safety Policy.
• Discipline: OIL prohibits physical abuse or discipline, the threat of physical abuse, sexual or other harassment and verbal abuse or other forms of intimidation.
• Freedom of Association and Employee Representation: OIL recognises that all its employees have the right to form and join organisations of their own choosing as long as this does not contravene the company’s business independence. OIL takes active measures to seek employees’ views about the firm, respects employees’ rights to belong to trade unions and fully complies with our legal obligations to inform and consult employees.
• Working Hours: OIL will ensure that working hours are reasonable and comply with the law and industry standards.
• Equality of Treatment: OIL is fully committed to eliminating discrimination in recruitment, training and working conditions, on grounds of race, colour, sex, age, religion, political opinion, national extraction, sexual orientation, disability or social origin and to promoting equality of opportunity and treatment.
• Employment terms: OIL will provide written and clear contracts which detail the terms and conditions of its staff employment. OIL will ensure that work performed by employees is on the basis of recognised employment law and practice.
• Remuneration: OIL will, at a minimum, provide wages and benefits that meet national standards. OIL will provide employees with clear written information on their pay and conditions. OIL prohibits deductions from employees’ wages as a disciplinary measure. OIL is committed to equal pay and benefits for men and women for work of equal value.

Grievance and Remediation
Where a human rights violation is identified, OIL will work with all parties involved to seek access to remedy, compensation and justice for the victim. OIL will also investigate the root cause so that we can take appropriate steps to prevent such a violation reoccurring.

Mark Brooks
Managing Director
December 2023