RIBA Modern Slavery Statement
Introduction
The RIBA is committed to improving its practices to combat modern slavery and human trafficking. This statement sets out the RIBA’s actions to understand all potential modern slavery risks related to its business and to ensure that there is no slavery or human trafficking in its businesses or supply chains. This statement relates to actions and activities during the financial year ending 31st March 2020.
The RIBA will strive to improve its practices and to ensure that those we work with, including our membership, do so as well. The RIBA, as a global professional membership body recognises that it has a responsibility to take a robust approach to slavery and human trafficking.
Organisational Structure and Supply Chains
The RIBA is a professional membership body and registered charity whose purpose is to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities, and a sustainable environment. We employ nearly 300 staff across our businesses. All our staff are currently based in the UK. We have an annual turnover of more than £25 million. The RIBA operates mainly in the UK. The majority of our suppliers are based in the UK.
Our supply chains include providers of services and products to our membership, as well as directly to the RIBA.
As and when we work in other countries we take steps to ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in our international operations and supply chains. As the RIBA increases its international operations in 2019 and beyond, we will take steps and develop appropriate policies with a view to ensuring that our supply chains are well researched and strong.
Relevant Policies
We are committed to ensuring there is no modern slavery or trafficking in our supply chains and we require all our suppliers to comply with relevant policies; including our Equal Opportunities Policy and specifically to pay due regard to the health, safety, welfare, and dignity of those with whom they come into contact.
The RIBA has the following policies and procedures in place:
- Equality and diversity
- Whistleblowing
- International working
- Recruitment
- Health and safety
- Anti‐bribery and corruption
Due Diligence
The level of due diligence undertaken depends on the location and the nature of the work. A comprehensive checklist enables the RIBA to identify risks of modern slavery and trafficking in the supply chain. If a risk is identified a more detailed due diligence exercise is undertaken, so that appropriate and informed decisions about the proposed work can be made. Modern Slavery risks are identified in the RIBA's organisational risk register which is reviewed accordingly on a regular basis.
Training
It is essential that all our staff have an awareness of modern slavery issues. We will provide, on an ongoing basis, information and training to staff. We will also provide one to one support and guidance to staff who have responsibilities for a supply chain including:
- How to identify the signs of slavery and human trafficking
- What steps the organisation should take if suppliers or contractors do not implement anti‐slavery policies in high risk scenarios, including their removal from the organisation's supply chains
- What initial steps should be taken if slavery or human trafficking is suspected
- How to escalate potential slavery or human trafficking issues to the relevant parties within the organisation
- What external help is available, for example through the Modern Slavery Helpline
Our Members
We require RIBA Chartered Practices to have the following policies in place within their organisation:
- Health and Safety
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- Employment
- Environmental Management
We require all RIBA Chartered Practices and RIBA Members who are employers to pay at least the UK Living Wage.
During 2018 we carried out a Conduct Review which reviewed, amended, and improved the standards required of RIBA Members and Chartered Practices. The RIBA Code of Conduct and Code of Practice now specifically refer to the Modern Slavery Act and the requirements it places upon RIBA Members and Chartered Practices.
During 2018 the RIBA Ethics and Sustainable Development Commission also provided information and guidance to our members as well as providing proposals to the RIBA for future work and action, including in relation to ethical practice.
The RIBA is committed to providing information, guidance and training to its members regarding modern slavery and human trafficking. The RIBA is currently offering core CPD sessions to its members on 'The Business of architecture: exploring ethics in practice’ and in 2018 delivered more than ten sessions on ‘Ethics in architecture: best practice for sourcing materials, products and people’.
Monitoring our Performance
The RIBA has developed a system for supply chain verification which enables us to evaluate potential suppliers before they enter the supply chain and we will continue to monitor this. The RIBA has also appointed a Head of Procurement to oversee and improve the procurement practices of the organisation as a whole.
The RIBA will continue to work with the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) and the Construction Industry Coalition to tackle modern slavery and human trafficking, particularly in the construction industry.
This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
Approval
This statement has been approved by the RIBA Board, who will review and update it annually.
