Introduction
ALLNET LAW serves clients and communities around the world, working to achieve our purpose: to build trust in society and solve important problems. That’s why we seek to act in accordance with internationally-recognised human rights and standards and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, making them integral to the way we operate. We’re working to guard against being complicit in human rights violations and to uphold the human rights of our people and any other individuals that we’re in contact with, either directly or indirectly.
Scope
Our Human Rights Policy applies to all ALLNET Law staff. We also expect our suppliers to respect and adhere to this policy.
Principles
We will:
- Seek to avoid causing or contributing to adverse human rights impacts through our own activities and address such impacts, if they do occur, in a timely and appropriate manner.
- Seek to prevent or mitigate adverse human rights impacts that are directly related to our operations, products and services through our business relationships.
- Provide for or cooperate in their remediation through legitimate processes, if we identify that we have caused or contributed to adverse human rights impacts.
- Continue to look for ways to support the promotion of human rights within our operations and our sphere of influence.
Policy
This sets out our position with respect to human rights and modern slavery and sits alongside our Employment Manual and Health and Safety Policy.
- Child Labour: ALLNET Law will not use child labour and will comply with all relevant laws in this regard. We do, however, support legitimate workplaceapprenticeships, internships and other similar programmes that comply with the applicable laws and regulations.
- Modern Slavery: ALLNET Law will not use forced, bonded or involuntary labour, and workers are not required to lodge ‘deposits’ or identity papers with the firm and can leave after giving reasonable notice, with all wages owed to be paid. We have a zero-tolerance approach towards human trafficking.
- Health, Safety and Hygiene: All ALLNET Law employees will work in an environment that is both safe and healthy, in line with our UK Health and Safety Policy.
- Discipline: ALLNET Law prohibits physical abuse or discipline, the threat of physical abuse, sexual or other harassment and verbal abuse or other forms of intimidation. Disciplinary and grievance procedures are clearly documented and communicated to all employees in our Employment Manual. All disciplinary measures of a serious nature are recorded and actioned.
- Freedom of Association and Employee Representation: ALLNET Law recognises that all its employees have the right to form and join organisations of their own choosing as long as this does not contravene the firm’s External Appointments Guidance and Process policy, which ensures our independence, in line with the regulatory requirements of our business. The firm takes active measures to seek employees’ views about the firm, respects employees’ rights to belong to trade unions and fully complies with our legal obligations to inform and consult employees.
- Working Hours: ALLNET Law will ensure that working hours are reasonable and comply with the law and industry standards.
- Equality of Treatment: ALLNET Law is fully committed to eliminating discrimination in recruitment, training and working conditions, on grounds of race, colour, sex, age, religion, political opinion, national extraction, sexual orientation, disability or social origin and to promoting equality of opportunity and treatment as outlined in the Employment Manual.
- Employment terms: ALLNET Law will provide written and clear contracts which detail the terms and conditions of its staff employment. We will ensure that work performed by employees is on the basis of recognised employment law and practice.
- Remuneration: ALLNET Law will, at a minimum, provide wages and benefits that meet national standards. We are an accredited Living Wage employer, which also extends to key suppliers working on our premises. We will provide employees with clear written information on their pay and conditions. The firm prohibits deductions from employees’ wages as a disciplinary measure. ALLNET Law is committed to equal pay and benefits for men and women for work of equal value.
Grievance and Remediation
Where a human rights violation is identified, we’ll work with all parties involved to seek access to remedy, compensation and justice for the victim. We’ll also investigate the root cause so that we can take appropriate steps to prevent such a violation reoccurring.
Our ‘Speak up’ helpline (01462416388) is available to all staff and Partners who come across unethical behaviour that can’t be resolved locally or for which the normal consultation process isn’t suitable. Anyone raising a genuine concern which is in the public interest will be protected from victimisation.Third parties (including suppliers) can also telephone the helpline.
