Gardeners Hainault Modern Slavery Statement
Gardeners Hainault is committed to a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking. This modern slavery statement outlines our approach to identifying, preventing and addressing risks across our operations and supply chains. We set clear expectations for employees, contractors and suppliers, and we require adherence to our standards as a condition of engagement. Our stance is firm: any breach of our anti-slavery statement will lead to decisive action.We maintain policies and procedures that define responsibilities and behaviours across the business. These include recruitment safeguards, verification of worker eligibility, and pay practices designed to prevent exploitation. The policy applies to all parts of Gardeners Hainault and to the third parties that supply goods and services to us. We recognise that a comprehensive modern slavery policy must be actively managed and clearly communicated to reduce the risk of exploitation.
Our commitments are concrete and include the following core actions:
- Risk-based due diligence: ongoing assessment of suppliers and operations;
- Supplier audits: scheduled and unannounced checks to confirm compliance;
- Remediation: corrective action plans when issues are identified;
- Training: targeted awareness training for staff and managers;
- Reporting channels: safe mechanisms for concerns to be raised.
Our Approach to Prevention and Due Diligence
We apply a risk-based approach to supplier engagement and procurement. High-risk suppliers are prioritised for enhanced checks and supplier audits, and contractual terms require adherence to our standards. We evaluate risks by geography, sector, labour practices and the nature of the services or goods supplied. Where third parties subcontract work, we require transparency and flow-down terms so that our expectations reach beyond the first tier.
Reporting Channels and Whistleblowing
Gardeners Hainault provides multiple reporting channels so workers, partners and stakeholders can raise concerns safely and confidentially. We operate an internal reporting process and support anonymous reporting where requested. Reports are treated seriously, investigated promptly and documented. We encourage the use of these channels without fear of retaliation, and we have protocols to protect whistleblowers and to ensure any allegation is handled with impartiality and care.To support detection and prevention we deliver training to staff and supply chain managers, emphasising how to spot indicators of exploitation and the steps to take if issues are suspected. Training is refreshed regularly and tailored to role and exposure. We also use contractual clauses, supplier declarations and on-site visits as tools to verify compliance. Where breaches are identified, we pursue a range of responses from corrective action plans to termination of contracts, depending on severity.
Supplier audits form a key part of our verification process. Audits combine documentation reviews, worker interviews and physical inspections to assess working conditions, freedom of movement, wage compliance and recruitment practices. We prioritise suppliers based on risk assessments and past performance, and we work collaboratively where remediation is possible. Audit findings lead to clear improvement plans with monitored timelines and follow-up assessments.
We track performance against measurable indicators and engage with stakeholders to strengthen our approach. This includes sharing best practices across our network and participating in sector initiatives to raise standards. Our procurement teams are required to integrate modern slavery considerations into sourcing decisions and to escalate concerns through governance channels. We also require suppliers to maintain records and to cooperate fully with our checks.
Annual Review and Continuous ImprovementGardeners Hainault will conduct an annual review of this modern slavery statement and related policies to assess effectiveness and to update actions based on evolving risks and lessons learned. The review examines audit outcomes, incident reports, training completion rates and remediation progress. We commit to transparency in our progress and to strengthening controls where gaps are identified. This statement will be reviewed at least once every year and revised as necessary to reflect our ongoing commitment to eradicating modern slavery from our operations and supply chain.
