Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Policy for Byte Cognetics Ltd

Introduction

Byte Cognetics Ltd is dedicated to combating modern slavery and human trafficking in all its forms within our organisation and throughout our supply chains. We understand our moral and legal responsibility to uphold the principles of human rights, fair labour practices, and the eradication of forced labour. This comprehensive Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Policy, under Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, outlines our steadfast commitment to identifying, preventing, and mitigating the risks associated with modern slavery.

1. Policy Statement

We vehemently denounce all manifestations of modern slavery, which encompasses forced labour, human trafficking, child exploitation, and any infringement upon fundamental human rights. We are unwavering in our resolve to establish a working environment that respects and protects the rights and dignity of every individual associated with our operations, including employees, partners, clients, suppliers and stakeholders.

2. Organisation's Structure, Business, and Supply Chains

Byte Cognetics Limited offers a robust range of services including data engineering, software engineering, deployment, and consultancy, designed to support businesses across various industries. We manage the full data pipeline process, from extraction and transformation to loading data into lakes or warehouses, ensuring efficient data management. In addition, we provide business intelligence solutions that turn complex data into actionable insights and offer AI-driven data preparation services. Byte Cognetics also specialises in software engineering, facilitating seamless application development and deployment.

A key product owned by Byte Cognetics is Antly, a highly customisable Work Operating System that offers pre-built software solutions tailored to specific industries. These include Antly for Care, which streamlines operations in healthcare settings; Antly for Oil and Gas, designed to manage assets and workflows in the energy sector; Antly for Finance, which supports financial operations with advanced data handling and reporting; and Antly for Education, tailored to educational institutions to manage administrative tasks and student data efficiently. Each solution leverages Antly's core features, such as customisable dashboards, advanced task management, workflow automation, and API integrations, making it a versatile tool for diverse business needs.

We aim to expand and form partnerships with suppliers who share our commitment to ethical practices in human rights.

3. Policies concerning Slavery and Human Trafficking

Byte Cognetics is committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity in our business activities. Our key policies include:

  • Ethical Trading Policy: Ensuring fair trade practices throughout our Clients
  • Human Rights Policy: Promoting and respecting human rights in all our operations.
  • Supplier Code of Conduct: All clients and future suppliers must adhere to ethical standards, including the prohibition of forced labour and human trafficking.

Our Comprehensive Approach

Byte Cognetics takes the following comprehensive actions to address the issue of modern slavery:

4. Due Diligence Processes

To combat slavery and human trafficking, Byte Cognetics has implemented the following due diligence processes:

  • Supplier Vetting: Rigorous background checks and assessments of potential suppliers to ensure compliance with our ethical standards.
  • Contracts and Agreements: Inclusion of specific clauses in contracts to guarantee adherence to anti-slavery policies.
  • Audits and Inspections: Regular audits of high-risk suppliers and random inspections to ensure compliance with our standards.

5. Risk Assessment and Management

We conduct regular and robust assessments of potential modern slavery risks within our organisation and supply chains. This includes evaluating our operational practices, subcontracting arrangements, geographical locations, and industry sectors to identify vulnerabilities and areas of concern. By identifying potential risks, we can implement effective measures to prevent and address modern slavery.

We recognise that certain areas of our business and supply chains are more susceptible to risks of slavery and human trafficking. Our risk assessment process includes:

  • Identifying High-Risk Areas: Focus on regions and industries known for higher incidences of forced labour.
  • Mitigating Actions: Implementing targeted measures to address identified risks, such as stricter supplier requirements and increased monitoring.
  • Continuous Improvement: Regularly reviewing and updating our risk assessment criteria to adapt to emerging threats.

6. Supplier/Client  Engagement and Transparency

We collaborate with Clients, contractors, and business partners to communicate our unwavering commitment to combating modern slavery. We expect our partners to share our principles and uphold the highest ethical conduct standards. We encourage transparency and dialogue, enabling us to collectively address any identified risks and ensure that our entire supply chain is free from modern slavery.

7. Reporting Mechanism and Whistleblower Protection

We establish a robust reporting mechanism through which employees and external stakeholders can confidentially report suspicions or incidents of modern slavery. We are committed to thoroughly investigating all reports and taking appropriate action. Whistleblowers will be protected from retaliation, and their concerns will be treated with the utmost seriousness.

8. Continuous Improvement and Collaboration

We are resolute in our pursuit of continuous improvement. We regularly review and enhance our policies, procedures, and practices to ensure their effectiveness in preventing modern slavery. We are actively open to collaboration with industry partners, government agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders to share best practices and collectively address this pressing global issue.

9. Training and Capacity Building

We provide comprehensive training, capacity-building initiatives and awareness programs to all our employees, empowering them to recognise the signs of modern slavery, understand the associated risks, and report any concerns they may encounter. By educating our workforce, we create a vigilant and informed community dedicated to eradicating modern slavery from our operations.

To ensure our staff are well-informed and vigilant against slavery and human trafficking:

  • Mandatory Training: Regular training sessions for all employees on identifying and preventing modern slavery.
  • Specialised Workshops: Targeted workshops for procurement and supply chain management teams.
  • Resource Availability: Access to up-to-date resources and guidance on modern slavery for all staff.

10. Measuring Effectiveness

Byte Cognetics measures the effectiveness of our efforts to prevent slavery and human trafficking through:

  • Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Monitoring the number of audits conducted, non-compliance incidents reported, and corrective actions taken.
  • Feedback Mechanisms: Encouraging feedback from employees, clients, suppliers, and stakeholders to identify and address potential issues.
  • Reporting: Reporting a statement detailing our progress and effectiveness in combating modern slavery when called upon.

11. Compliance and Consequences

Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary actions, which could include termination of employment or termination of business relationships, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

12. Policy Review and Contact Information

This comprehensive Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Policy will be reviewed and updated annually to ensure its alignment with legal requirements and industry standards. For any questions or concerns related to this policy, please contact us via our contact page

Conclusion

Byte Cognetics is dedicated to maintaining a transparent and ethical business environment. We will continue to refine our policies and practices to combat modern slavery and human trafficking. By Embracing this Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Policy, and through the united efforts with employees, future suppliers, partners, and stakeholders, we will uphold the highest standards of integrity and respect for human rights contributing to a world free from modern slavery.

Review

This policy will be reviewed annually and updated as necessary to ensure ongoing compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and reflect the evolving nature of our business.

This policy was adopted on the 20th of April 2024