Engaging with workers who don’t speak English proficiently

As part of their commitment to prevent modern slavery from their operations and supply chains and to comply with the Modern Slavery Act 2015, Tesco conducts regular worker engagement and human rights assessments.

Tesco’s operations and supply chains are supported by a diverse multicultural workforce. Many workers don’t speak English proficiently, which can leave them feeling uncomfortable or lacking confidence when discussing their working conditions in English.

The Tesco Human Rights team used to rely on Google Translate for these but wanted to find a more effective tool.

Adapting to the evolving language needs of a changing workforce

Tesco’s workforce demographics are constantly changing. Three years ago, most workers coming to the UK through the Seasonal Workers Scheme were from Ukraine, while in 2024, it has been mostly people from Kazakhstan.

“We needed an agile service that can provide a really broad range of languages and it’s that on demand nature that’s really key for us. We can’t predict which languages we’re going to need, when. We need that global agile service.”

In 2022, Tesco approached Clear Voice to provide the crucial language support needed to engage with its colleagues and workers in its supply chains in a diverse range of languages including Lithuanian, Cantonese, Hindi, Italian, Ukrainian and Nepali.

 

On-demand telephone interpreting with high-quality
interpreters sensitive to workers’ needs

With our on-demand telephone interpreting service, Tesco can access phone interpreters at any time, at the click of a button, and in over 250 languages. It only takes an average of 30 seconds to get connected with an experienced interpreter.

Our interpreters have extensive experience handling sensitive topics like modern slavery, gained through our work with Migrant Help, the Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline, and the not-for-profit, public and commercial sectors. All interpreters receive 'Interpreting for Modern Slavery' training. Many are survivors of modern slavery themselves, bringing both personal and professional experience to conversations, ensuring they approach sensitive topics with empathy and understanding.

 

Pay-as-you-go interpreting

Thanks to our flexible pay-as-you-go service, Tesco only pays for the interpreting services they actually use, making it a cost-effective solution. This model is ideal for clients with fluctuating or unpredictable needs, ensuring they can access language support as required, without committing to fixed costs or long-term contracts.

“We like the pay as you use service. You don’t have to commit to a big budget. You draw down as and when you need it, it’s a much more flexible way to do it.”

Improved critical engagement with workers and due diligence

For Tesco, working with Clear Voice has been critical when it comes to engaging with workers throughout their operations and supply chain.

“Using Clear Voice has made such a huge difference in our interactions with people. It has helped us connect with them. It’s given better assurance to our human right's due diligence.”

Leading the way in modern slavery prevention

Working with Clear Voice is at the heart of Tesco’s commitment to ensure that their operations and supply chains are free of modern slavery. Tesco detail this partnership in their Modern Slavery Statement.

By using Clear Voice interpreters, Tesco is proactively improving its human rights assessments and showing real commitment to workers' rights and eradicating modern slavery.

“The one thing that external stakeholders were saying is you’re not engaging with workers as much as you should be. Clear Voice is a really important bridge to that. I always say to people, they underestimate an interpreting service. It would be the last thing they thought of, but actually it’s completely critical.”

A shared commitment to community

Tesco also values our commitment to giving back, which aligns with their efforts to support communities. As a social enterprise, we donate 100% of profits to Migrant Help, aiding refugees, migrants, and victims of modern slavery. Clear Voice also funds and trains refugees to become interpreters through our InPower Project.