Organisational structure
Arena has branches across Dorset, Hampshire and Surrey in the UK. All these come under the same organisation and are led by three Directors and a Chairman.
The labour supplied to Arena in pursuance of its operation is carried out in England only.
Definitions
Arena considers that modern slavery encompasses:
- human trafficking
- forced work, through mental or physical threat
- being owned or controlled by an employer through mental or physical abuse of the threat of abuse
- being dehumanised, treated as a commodity, or being bought or sold as property
- being physically constrained or to have restriction placed on freedom of movement.
Commitment
Arena acknowledges its responsibilities in relation to tackling modern slavery and commits to complying with the provisions in the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Arena understands that this requires an ongoing review of both its internal practices in relation to its labour force and, additionally, its supply chains.
Arena does not enter into business with any other organisation, in the United Kingdom or abroad, which knowingly supports or is found to involve itself in slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour.
No labour provided to Arena in the pursuance of the provision of its own services is obtained by means of slavery or human trafficking. We strictly adhere to the minimum standards required in relation to our responsibilities under relevant employment legislation in the UK.
Potential exposure
Arena considers its main exposure to the risk of slavery and human trafficking to exist in the provision of labour provided through third parties.
In general, Arena considers its exposure to slavery/human trafficking to be relatively low, nonetheless, it has taken steps to ensure that such practices do not take place in its business nor the business of any organisation that supplies goods and/or services to it.
Impact of COVID-19
During the reporting period covered by this statement, the COVID-19 pandemic had taken hold. For several months, the UK was placed into lockdown to stem the spread of COVID-19. This created several challenges for the Organisation, as it did for others across the nation.
The Organisation welcomes the UK Government’s decision, as confirmed in April 2020, to allow for a delay of up to 6 months in the publication of modern slavery statements without the risk of facing penalty.
Despite the permitted delay, Arena remains in a position to publish its statement for the financial year 2021/2022 in line with the original publishing requirements.
We concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic did adjust the risk of modern slavery to a level above that which existed before the pandemic, which is as set out under ‘POTENTIAL EXPOSURE’ above.
During the pandemic, our employees still had access to the grievance procedure to raise any concerns that they may have had.
In line with emergency legislation passed by the Government, employees have been paid Statutory Sick Pay during periods of self-isolation where it has not been possible to agree a temporary period of homeworking.
Arena’s modern slavery risks were subject to the same monitoring procedures during the pandemic as at all other times.
Steps
Arena carries out due diligence processes in relation to ensuring slavery and/or human trafficking does not take place in its organisation or supply chains, including conducting a review of the controls of its suppliers.
We have not, to our knowledge, conducted any business with another organisation which has been found to have involved itself with modern slavery.
In accordance with section 54(4) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, Arena has taken the following steps to ensure that modern slavery is not taking place:
Reviewing supplier contracts to include termination powers if the supplier is, or is suspected to be, involved in modern slavery.
Slavery Compliance
Any concerns regarding Modern Slavery should be directed to the Operations Manager.
This statement is made in pursuance of Section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and will be reviewed for each financial year.