Anti bribery and human trafficking policy

Anti Bribery Policy

Introduction

Bribery is a criminal offence. IF prohibits any form of bribery. We require compliance, from everyone connected with our business, with the highest ethical standards and anti-bribery laws applicable. Integrity and transparency are of utmost importance to us and we have a zero tolerance attitude towards corrupt activities of any kind, whether committed by employees or by third parties acting for or on behalf of IF.

Policy

It is prohibited, directly or indirectly, for any employee or person working on our behalf to offer, give, request or accept any bribe i.e. gift, loan, payment, reward or advantage, either in cash or any other form of inducement, to or from any person or Company in order to gain commercial, contractual or regulatory advantage for the Company, or in order to gain any personal advantage for an individual or anyone connected with the individual in a way that is unethical.

Suspicion

If we suspect any employees, contractors or stakeholders have committed an act of bribery or attempted bribery, an investigation will be carried out and, in line with our disciplinary procedure where appropriate, action may be taken against which may result in dismissals, or the cessation or business arrangements.

Reporting

Employees, consultants or persons working on our behalf, suspect that an act of bribery or attempted bribery has taken place, even if not personally involved, we require all details to be given to a senior member.  

Onboarding details reminded of IF’s Whistleblowing Policy which is available on IF internal intranet.

Gifts and hospitality

We realise that the giving and receiving of gifts and hospitality as a reflection of friendship or appreciation where nothing is expected in return may occur, or even be commonplace, in our industry. This does not constitute bribery where it is proportionate and recorded properly.

No gift should be given nor hospitality offered by an employee or anyone working on our behalf to any party in connection with our business without receiving prior written approval from the Chief Executive Officer.

Similarly, no gift or offer of hospitality should be accepted by an employee or anyone working on our behalf without receiving prior written approval from the Chief Executive Officer.

Record keeping

A record will be made by the Finance Team of every instance in which gifts or hospitality are given or received.

As the law is constantly changing, this policy is subject to review and IF reserves the right to amend this policy without prior notice.

Human Trafficking Policy

Modern slavery is a crime resulting in an abhorrent abuse of the human rights of vulnerable workers. It can take various forms, such as slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking. Projects by IF has a zero tolerance approach to modern slavery and is committed to acting ethically and with integrity and transparency in all of its business dealings and relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure that modern slavery and human trafficking are not taking place anywhere within either its own business or in any of its supply chains, consistent with its obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Projects by IF also expects the same high standards from all of its suppliers, contractors and other business partners and, as part of its contracting processes, it includes specific prohibitions against the use of modern slavery, and expects that its suppliers will in turn hold their own suppliers to the same standards. 

This policy applies to all individuals working for the Company or on the Project by IF’s behalf in any capacity, including employees, directors, agency workers, volunteers, contractors, consultants and business partners.

Responsibility for the policy

The senior management  has overall responsibility for ensuring that this policy complies with IF’s legal and ethical obligations.

Sarah Gold, CEO, has day-to-day responsibility for implementing this policy, monitoring its use and effectiveness and auditing internal control systems and policies and procedures to ensure they are effective in preventing or remediating the risk of modern slavery. She is also responsible for investigating allegations of modern slavery in the Project by IF’s business or supply chains. 

Line managers are responsible for ensuring that those reporting to them understand and comply with this policy.

Compliance

The prevention, detection and reporting of modern slavery in any part of the Company’s business or supply chains, whether in the UK or abroad, is the responsibility of all those working for Projects by IF or under the Company’s control. You are required to avoid any activity that might lead to a breach of this policy.

If you believe or suspect a breach of or conflict with this policy has occurred or may occur, you must notify your line manager or report it in accordance with the Company’s whistleblowing policy. You are encouraged to raise concerns about any issue or suspicion of modern slavery in any part of the IF’s business or supply chains as soon as possible. If you are unsure about whether a particular act, the treatment of workers or their working conditions within any of the Company’s supply chains constitutes any of the various forms of modern slavery, please raise it with your line manager. You can also contact the government’s Modern Slavery Helpline on 0800 0121 700 for further information and guidance on modern slavery.

Projects by IF aims to encourage openness and will support anyone who raises genuine concerns in good faith under this policy, even if they turn out to be mistaken. The Company is committed to ensuring no one suffers any detrimental treatment or victimisation as a result of reporting in good faith their suspicion that modern slavery is or may be taking place in any part of its business or in any of its supply chains. 

Training and communication

Regular training on this policy, and on the risk that the business faces from modern slavery in its supply chains, will be provided to staff as necessary, so that they know how to identify exploitation and modern slavery and how to report suspected cases.

The Company’s zero tolerance approach to modern slavery must be communicated to all suppliers, contractors and other business partners when entering into new or renewed contracts with them.

Breach of the policy

Any employee who breaches this policy will face disciplinary action, up to and including summary dismissal for gross misconduct.

Projects by IF may terminate its commercial relationship with suppliers, contractors and other business partners if they breach this policy and/or are found to have been involved in modern slavery.