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Compliance Guides Sanctions Thought Leadership
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2 min read

New guide: Navigating the Russia-Ukraine War Two Years In

Download your free guide to the latest developments in sanctions on Russia and what your firm needs to do to stay compliant

The field of economic sanctions has been growing increasingly complicated in recent years. The past year was a historic and transformative period for the use of financial sanctions on both the global and UK levels. Western nations launched an unprecedented line of sanctions against Russia and Russian companies, and also against Russia’s ally Belarus, in response to its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. With the war showing no end in sight, sanctions and penalties for non-compliance are only continuing to ramp up.

All businesses, both regulated and unregulated, must comply with financial and trade sanctions and companies must be able to prove that they are properly screening for sanctions. Failure to comply with screening requirements can carry stiff penalties reaching into the millions per infraction and remember that there’s strict liability when it comes to sanctions so any sanctions breach, even accidental, is a crime.

Menopause can be a disability, and firms must make reasonable adjustments

The UK’s Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has issued guidance to inform firms they could be liable for being taken to an employment tribunal if they do not make reasonable adjustments for staff experiencing menopause.

Adjustments can include time off, flexible hours, relaxed uniform policies and rest areas. Failing to make reasonable adjustments can amount to disability discrimination, as menopause symptoms can have a long term and substantial impact on a person’s ability to carry out usual day-to-day activities.

Thought Leadership
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3 min read

Understanding the EU AI Act – A guide to the world’s first comprehensive AI regulation

Download your free guide to learn how it will impact your company

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) systems have become increasingly common in both business and daily life – with many people not even fully aware that AI is changing the way they go about their day. From virtual assistants to online shopping to driving to streamlining production processes, AI is powering so much of what we do.

In December 2023, the EU’s three branches – the European Parliament, the Council of the EU and the European Commission – reached a provisional agreement on the EU’s proposed Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act). Once it passes – it hasn’t been fully approved yet – it will be the world’s first comprehensive legislation on AI and could set a standard for laws enacted in other parts of the world.

Sanctions
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2 min read

Sanctions Compliance: A Comprehensive Guide to the 2024 Common High Priority List

Download your free guide to every item under Russian trade sanctions

What is the Common High Priority List?

The Common High Priority List has been developed by the UK, US, EU and Japan which includes many items found on the battlefield in Ukraine. All these items are under sanction. The list is divided into four Tiers, each containing particularly sensitive items such as integrated circuits used in Russian weapons systems, as well as mundane items like ball bearings and TV cameras.

There are dozens and dozens of individual items listed on the Common High Priority List. These items should be treated like handling stolen goods. Transporting, selling, buying, shipping or otherwise being connected to the supply of these goods to sanctioned entities is a criminal offence.

New guidance and changes in the AML space

For firms subject to AML regulations, there’s been a host of new rules and guidance. Here are the key reminders and takeaways

The Law Society has published proposed updates to Legal Sector Affinity Group (LSAG) as an addendum. They await Treasury approval of the wording. The changes are largely reminders and clarification on certain points and are not likely to have a large impact.

Train your entire organisation on fraud prevention

Preventing fraud and unethical business practices is a constant challenge for any organisation. The key to prevention is recognising red flags and having the necessary protocols in place to ensure business integrity. Our fraud and fair competition courses offer a comprehensive look into the critical issues surrounding fraud prevention, fair competition, and ethical business practices. The training empowers individuals and businesses alike to uphold fair competition and integrity in all aspects of their operations.

With our in-browser editing tool, you can now tailor any of the courses in real-time to reflect your organisation’s specific protocols for maintaining business integrity. Edits are clearly visible as you make them and results can easily be shared with your colleagues via a unique link.

Compliance
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4 min read

More than 70% of Compliance Professionals Lack Protective Measures Against AI Breaches, According to New Survey

A recent survey by compliance eLearning and software provider, VinciWorks, has found that only 29% of compliance professionals have implemented specific procedures, training, or preventive measures to guard against Artificial Intelligence (AI) related compliance breaches. The majority (71%) admitted to lacking such protective measures, with 13% having no plans to address this significant gap in their compliance strategy in the near future.

Religion, Belief & Bereavement: A workplace guide to religious sensitivities when employees are coping with loss

Many people turn to religion when confronted by grief or going through a mourning process. Even if someone is not very religious, cultural traditions for coping with loss are often relied upon when going through a period of bereavement.

But it can also be tricky for workplaces to know how to best support their employees who are mourning, given the wide diversity of religious beliefs, practices and traditions.

Should you send flowers, or food? Will the funeral be straight away, or days and weeks later? Is it appropriate to say Rest in Peace? Does the religion believe in an afterlife?

On-demand webinar: Global sanctions compliance in 2024

The field of economic sanctions has been growing increasingly complicated in recent years, and the past year was a historic and transformative period for the use of financial sanctions on both the global and UK levels, with Western nations launching an unprecedented line of sanctions against Russia as a result of its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Recent conflicts such as the Hamas-Israel war in response to Hamas’s October 7th massacre, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as events in Iran, China and other countries have grabbed global headlines. These events have sparked waves of new laws and regulations around the world, from sanctions to tougher economic crime compliance rules.

All businesses must comply with financial and trade sanctions and companies must be able to prove that they are properly screening for sanctions. Failure to comply with screening requirements can carry stiff penalties reaching into the millions per infraction and any sanctions breach, even accidental, is a crime.

This webinar covered:

Recent sanctions issues and key compliance challenges and lessons to be aware of in the present volatile international landscape.
The creation of the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI), the UK’s newly created body that will be responsible for the civil enforcement of trade sanctions, including those against Russia.
The ever-relevant crossover between sanctions, terrorist financing, and AML, which has become increasingly important as the world faces rapidly evolving geopolitical challenges.
The effectiveness of financial sanctions in general and those against Russia in the past two years in particular.
Cases of sanctions breaches and consequences.
Tips for sanctions compliance for both regulated and non-regulated businesses.

Watch on-demand

On-demand webinar: Making your organisation more menopause friendly

Many organisations discuss gender equality and promoting women, particularly older and more experienced women. But what does this look like in practice? What are the practical steps to supporting older women in the workplace, and how can barriers to success be overcome?

One highly effective strategy is making your organisation menopause friendly. Older women are one of the fastest growing in today’s workplace, and research has shown that nearly two-thirds of women have taken time off work due to their symptoms, with some even leaving their jobs due to not being supported in their workplace.

In this webinar, VinciWorks compliance experts will take you through the steps your organisation can take to become menopause friendly. From implementing a menopause leave policy to environmental factors affecting a workplace, this session will inform you on why making your organisation menopause friendly is a cost-effective, impactful and necessary initiative.

The webinar featured an interview with Dr Rebecca Lewis from the highly respected Newson Health Menopause and Wellbeing Centre.

This session covered:

The basics of menopause as a diversity and inclusion issue
Building a coalition for progressive menopause change in an organisation
Countering common myths, stigmas and stereotypes
Top tips for implementing a menopause leave policy
Tackling environmental, organisational and cultural factors on menopause