Statement of Rygor Group Ltd, Rygor Commercials Ltd, Rygor Group Services Ltd and Rygor Holdings Ltd, to the Modern Slavery Act 2015

Rygor Group Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 (MSA 2015) focuses specifically on the issue of modern slavery, to ensure offenders are suitably reprimanded with severe sentences. Modern slavery encompasses the offences of: ‘slavery’ where ownership is exercised over a person; ‘servitude’ which involves the obligation to provide service imposed by coercion; ‘forced or compulsory labour’ involves work or service exacted from any person under the menace of a penalty and for which the person has not offered themselves voluntarily; and ‘human trafficking’ concerns arranging or facilitating the travel of another with a view to exploiting them. This statement explains the steps Rygor has taken during the 2020/2021 financial year, to ensure that slavery or human trafficking does not take place in any part of the Rygor business, or its supply chains.

Rygor Group comprises of Rygor Auto, Rygor Plant, Rygor Apex, Rygor Holdings Limited, Rygor Group Limited, Rygor Commercials Limited, Rygor Group Services Limited, and Rygor Maxus Limited, and has various branches and maintenance sites across the UK. Rygor Group recognises its business and social responsibility to reduce the risk of human trafficking, forced labour and debt bondage, sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation, and domestic servitude.

Rygor Group has a detailed policy in place to prevent all forms of modern slavery. This policy has been communicated to all Rygor team members and is also available to view on the company intranet and on the company Shared Drive. Rygor Group advocates and encourages equality, diversity, and respect as a key part of its ethos. Through Rygor Group’s new starter process, all team members are required to complete a Modern Slavery training course. This course has also been completed by existing employees, to ensure the whole team understands Rygor’s social and business responsibilities, their individual responsibility to treat others with respect and courtesy, and ensures the team adhere to all the relevant laws and regulations, and Rygor’s own standards. This training is monitored and measured quarterly, to ensure all team members are compliant.

In addition to mandatory training, all new Rygor team members are provided with a detailed New Starter pack. This pack contains all Rygor group’s policies, including its Modern Slavery policy, and highlights the processes through which any concerns should be raised.

Rygor Group’s Modern Slavery policy is reviewed annually by Rygor Group’s Human Resources department and Rygor Group’s legal advisers, to ensure the Rygor Group business remains compliant. Rygor Group is committed to its ongoing due diligence process, and regularly reviews its policies in line with legislation. The Modern Slavery policy is included in Rygor Group’s permit to work document, which is signed by all contractors and suppliers working for/with Rygor Group. Rygor Group’s management team are alert to the potential signs of modern slavery and human trafficking and will address any concerns raised by their team or suppliers. If concerns are raised, Rygor Group’s Human Resources department will be involved in a thorough risk assessment and if, after investigation any worker is found in breach of our policies, Rygor Group will ensure suitable disciplinary action is taken, and reserves the right to terminate an employee’s contract or cease trading with a supplier. The business will notify the appropriate safe-guarding services or authorities where wrongdoing is suspected.

Rygor Group seeks to be an employer of choice, and as such the business recognises the rights of all individuals working for Rygor or providing services to the business, to freely choose employment and the right to associate freely with other individuals. For example, team members are free to join a trade union if they wish, and because of Rygor Group’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, Rygor Group promotes a working environment free from harassment and unlawful discrimination. Rygor Group ensures its working practices are in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, and all appropriate employment legislation.

In relation to Rygor Group’s supply chains, the business makes every reasonable effort to conduct risk assessments of the third parties it works with. Where it is possible to do so, Rygor Group investigates the working conditions of its supplier’s staff, and requires its supply chain contractors to read Rygor Group’s Statement and Contractor Principles and sign the associated declaration. Rygor Group’s statements and processes are highlighted in all its business tenders, to ensure all Rygor Group’s business affiliations are mindful of their collective responsibilities in line with the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Rygor Group does not engage in forced or involuntary labour and employs a zero-tolerance approach to the same, meaning we do not tolerate any of our suppliers engaging in such conduct. Rygor Group requires its suppliers to certify that they do not participate in any forced or involuntary labour, either with their workers, subcontractors, agents or associates. Rygor Group aims to ensure that our performance indicators do not put pressure on or influence any modern slavery risk.

In addition to training its team and engaging with its contractors and suppliers, Rygor Group has a clear whistleblowing procedure in place to report concerns outlined in the MSA 2015. This information can be easily accessed by all Rygor team members via the company intranet, or by visiting Rygor Group’s main website Legal Notice.

Rygor Group’s full Modern Slavery policy is available to third parties. To request a copy, please contact Rygor Group’s People Department via peopleteam@rygor.co.uk

12th August 2024

Rygor Group