The Modern Slavery Act 2015 has introduced changes into the UK law focused on increasing transparency in supply chains. Specifically, large business will be required to disclose the steps they have taken to ensure their business and supply chains are free from slavery (that is, slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour and human trafficking).
Modern slavery in the construction industry is an issue some in the industry would prefer not to acknowledge. But it is a very real problem.
The company has a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery, and we are committed to ensuring modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in our business or in any of our supply chains.
Policy Statement
Modern slavery is a crime and a violation of fundamental human rights. It takes various forms, such as slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour and human trafficking, all of which have in common the deprivation of a person’s liberty by another to exploit them for personal or commercial gain. We have a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and we are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in our own business or any of our supply chains.
We expect the same high standards from all our contractors, suppliers and other business partners and as part of our contracting processes, we include specific prohibitions against the use of forced, compulsory or trafficked labour, or anyone held in slavery or servitude whether adults or children and we expect that our suppliers will hold their own suppliers to the same high standards.
This policy applies to all persons working for us or on our behalf in any capacity, including employees at all levels, directors, officers, agency workers, contractors, external consultants, business partners.
The Directors have overall responsibility for ensuring this policy complies with our legal and ethical obligations and that all those under our control comply with it.
Management has primary and day to day responsibility for implementing this policy, monitoring its use and effectiveness dealing with any queries about it and auditing internal control systems and procedures to ensure they are effective in countering modern slavery.
Management at all levels are responsible for ensuring those reporting to them understand and comply with this policy and are given adequate and regular training on it and the issues of modern slavery in supply chains.
Comments, suggestions on possible improvements or queries are encouraged.
The prevention, detection of modern slavery in any part of our business or supply chains is the responsibility of all those working for us. You are required to avoid any activity that might lead to or suggest a breach of this policy. Notify your line manager as soon as possible if you believe or suspect a breach with this policy has occurred or may in the future.
Our aim is to encourage openness and will support anyone who raises genuine concerns in good faith under this policy, even if they turn out to mistaken. We are committed to ensuring no one suffers any detrimental treatment as a result of reporting in good faith their suspicion that modern slavery of whatever form is or may be taking place in any part of our own business or in any of our supply chains.