First Contact – ESG Statement 2025

Introduction

At First Contact, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles are embedded in our core business strategy. We are committed to creating sustainable, ethical, and people-first workplaces, ensuring that every aspect of our operations aligns with B-Corp principles and global ESG standards.

As a leading workplace services provider and labour hire company in Australia, we recognise that our business decisions impact not just our clients and employees, but also the communities and environments in which we operate. Our ESG commitments are designed to drive long-term value, balancing profit and purpose to build a better, more responsible future.

This statement outlines our ESG priorities, governance framework, and measurable targets for 2025 and beyond. It also reflects our Modern Slavery Act compliance, reinforcing our dedication to fair employment, ethical sourcing, and human rights protections in our workforce and supply chains.

Our ESG Commitments

Environmental Responsibility

  • Reduce carbon emissions by five percent annually.
  • Ensure twenty-five percent of materials are sourced from sustainable suppliers.
  • Decrease single-use plastics by ten percent and enhance recycling initiatives.
  • Assist clients in achieving Green Star and LEED certifications for sustainable workplaces.

Social Responsibility

  • Increase diversity in leadership and promote workplace inclusion.
  • Strengthen employee well-being through our partnership with Sonder, offering mental health and safety support.
  • Ensure fair wages and equal opportunities for all employees, including labour hire workers.
  • Enhance client workplace experiences, creating ethical and inclusive environments.

Ethical Governance and Transparency

  • Maintain full compliance with B-Corp governance standards and Australian industrial relations laws.
  • Strengthen supplier due diligence and risk management, ensuring all partners uphold ethical labour standards.
  • Conduct annual independent audits on high-risk suppliers and contractors.
  • Provide transparent ESG performance reports to clients, employees, and stakeholders.

Governance and Accountability

First Contact’s ESG framework is overseen by an ESG Oversight Committee, composed of senior leadership and workplace industry experts. This committee ensures compliance with regulatory and ethical standards, drives continuous improvement, and maintains accountability across all business units.

Labour Hire and Employment Compliance

As a registered and licensed labour hire provider in Victoria and Queensland, we strictly adhere to:

  • Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017 (Victoria) and Labour Hire Licensing Act 2018 (Queensland).
  • Fair Work Act 2009, ensuring legal wages, benefits, and conditions for all employees.
  • Migration Act 1958, guaranteeing ethical recruitment and fair treatment of temporary visa workers.
  • Compliance with Modern Awards including the Clerks – Private Sector Award 2020, Cleaning Services Award 2020, and Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020.

Supplier Governance and Risk Management

  • Supplier Code of Conduct requires all partners to meet Fair Work Australia standards and uphold ethical recruitment practices.
  • Mandatory supplier risk assessments identify and mitigate modern slavery risks.
  • Independent supplier audits ensure compliance with our ethical labour and sustainability commitments.

By embedding strong governance mechanisms, First Contact ensures that modern slavery, unethical employment practices, and environmental neglect have no place in our operations or supply chains.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability

First Contact is committed to reducing our environmental footprint while supporting clients in achieving their sustainability goals.

Key Environmental Targets for 2025

  • Reduce company-wide carbon emissions by five percent through energy-efficient workplace solutions.
  • Ensure twenty-five percent of materials are ethically and sustainably sourced.
  • Achieve ten percent reduction in single-use plastics and increase waste recycling programs.
  • Support clients in implementing energy-efficient office designs, reducing overall environmental impact.

Our environmental commitments align with B-Corp sustainability standards and contribute to Australia’s national emissions reduction targets.

Social Responsibility and Workforce Well-being

As a workplace services provider, First Contact directly influences the employee experience within client workplaces. Our social impact initiatives prioritise:

Workforce Protection and Employee Well-being

  • Fair wages and employment conditions aligned with Modern Awards and Enterprise Agreements.
  • Mental health and safety support through Sonder, addressing employee wellness challenges.
  • Training and development programs to enhance employee career growth.
  • Annual Fair Work compliance audits to ensure adherence to minimum standards.

Diversity, Inclusion, and Workplace Engagement

  • Increase representation of women and underrepresented groups in leadership positions.
  • Conduct annual unconscious bias training to foster inclusive workplaces.
  • Partner with clients to develop customised workplace diversity initiatives.

Labour Hire Worker Fair Treatment Charter

  • Equal pay for equal work compared to directly hired employees.
  • Guaranteed minimum shift lengths and breaks.
  • Access to the same health and safety protections as permanent staff.

Mental Health and Well-being Charter

  • Establish company-wide minimum well-being standards for employees, including workplace stress management and support services.
  • Require all client workplaces managed by First Contact to meet employee well-being benchmarks.
  • Conduct bi-annual employee well-being surveys to track stress levels and inclusivity

By prioritising people-first policies, First Contact ensures that employees thrive in ethical, inclusive, and supportive environments.

Community Engagement and Social Impact

First Contact Social Impact Fund

  • Dedicate a percentage of annual revenue to support community organisations focused on employment, education, and workforce equity.
  • Provide grants to client-driven social impact projects, such as internship programs for disadvantaged youth.

Employee Volunteering and Giving Programs

  • Allow employees two paid volunteer days annually to participate in local community programs.
  • Introduce a Workplace Giving Program where First Contact matches employee donations to social impact organisations.

Reconciliation and Indigenous Engagement

  • Develop a First Nations Reconciliation Action Plan.
  • Offer employment pathways for Indigenous Australians in workplace services roles.
  • Commit to procurement targets from Indigenous-owned businesses.

By embedding social responsibility into our business model, First Contact creates meaningful impact beyond workplace services.

Supply Chain and Ethical Sourcing

First Contact holds all suppliers accountable for meeting strict ESG standards through our Supplier Code of Conduct and audit processes.

Modern Slavery Prevention Measures

  • Mandatory supplier risk assessments ensure ethical labour practices across our supply chain.
  • Contractual modern slavery compliance clauses enforce supplier accountability.
  • Annual audits for high-risk industries, including cleaning, facilities management, and outsourced staffing services.
  • Immediate corrective action measures for non-compliant suppliers.

Supplier ESG Rating System

  • Implement a supplier ESG scoring system based on fair labour practices, diversity, sustainability, and modern slavery compliance
  • Recognise top-performing ethical suppliers to encourage industry-wide improvements

ESG Reporting and Transparency

First Contact provides quarterly and annual ESG performance reports, ensuring stakeholder transparency and accountability.

Key Reporting Areas

  • Environmental Metrics: Carbon footprint, energy consumption, waste reduction. progress
  • Social Metrics: Workforce diversity, employee engagement, workplace safety statistics.
  • Governance Metrics: Supplier audits, compliance with Fair Work standards, modern slavery risk assessments.

Client ESG Impact Dashboard

  • Provide clients with real-time data on ESG improvements across workplaces managed by First Contact.

Independent Third-Party ESG Verification

  • Engage an external sustainability consultant to audit ESG performance annually for credibility.

By embedding ESG transparency into our reporting framework, we provide clear, measurable insights into our impact and progress.

B-Corp Certification and Continuous Improvement

First Contact is on track to achieve B-Corp certification by 2027, reinforcing our commitment to:

  • Environmental sustainability through workplace solutions that reduce carbon emissions and resource waste.
  • Workforce equity and inclusion, ensuring ethical recruitment, fair wages, and employee development.
  • Transparent governance, holding ourselves accountable to the highest standards of ethical business practice.

Conclusion: Partnering for a Sustainable Future

First Contact is committed to leading the workplace services industry in ESG excellence. We believe that businesses must take active responsibility for environmental, social, and governance impact, and we are setting the standard through:

  • Ethical workforce management, ensuring fair wages, diversity, and well-being.
  • Sustainable workplace solutions, reducing environmental impact.
  • Transparent governance and supply chain accountability, preventing modern slavery.

By aligning with B-Corp principles, Fair Work Australia standards, and the Modern Slavery Act, we ensure that every aspect of our operations contributes to a more sustainable, ethical, and inclusive future.

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