Gardeners New Addington Modern Slavery Statement

Gardeners New Addington is committed to conducting all aspects of its business in an ethical, responsible, and transparent manner. This Modern Slavery Statement outlines our approach to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in our operations and supply chains. It applies to all employees, agency staff, contractors, and suppliers who work with or on behalf of Gardeners New Addington.

Our Commitment and Zero-Tolerance Policy

Gardeners New Addington has a strict zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labour, debt bondage, and child labour. We will not knowingly engage with or support any organisation, individual, or practice that is involved in these abuses. Any suspicion or evidence of such activity will be treated as a serious breach of our standards and will result in appropriate action, which may include suspension or termination of contracts and notification to relevant authorities.

All employees and key suppliers are expected to uphold this zero-tolerance stance. Modern slavery is incompatible with our values of integrity, respect, and fairness, and we are committed to promoting these values throughout every level of our operations and supply chain.

Our Supply Chain and Supplier Standards

Our supply chain includes providers of plants, gardening materials, equipment, uniforms, transport, and maintenance services. We recognise that risks of modern slavery can arise at different tiers of the supply chain, particularly where there is low-skilled or seasonal labour. To address this, we require suppliers to act ethically, comply with all applicable labour and human rights laws, and maintain safe and fair working conditions.

We expect suppliers to implement their own policies and procedures to prevent modern slavery and to ensure that workers are employed voluntarily, are free to leave their employment with reasonable notice, and receive fair wages and working hours in line with legal requirements. We also encourage suppliers to apply similar expectations to their own subcontractors and supply networks.

Supplier Audits and Due Diligence

Gardeners New Addington carries out proportionate due diligence and monitoring of suppliers to identify and address potential risks of modern slavery. This may include pre-engagement assessments, requests for information about labour practices, and periodic reviews of supplier performance and compliance.

Where appropriate, we may conduct audits or site visits, either directly or through third parties, to review working conditions, recruitment practices, and compliance with relevant labour standards. If any concerns are identified during these audits, we will work collaboratively with the supplier to develop corrective actions within agreed timeframes. If a supplier fails to take adequate remedial steps or shows unwillingness to improve, we reserve the right to reconsider our relationship with that supplier.

Reporting Channels and Whistleblowing

Gardeners New Addington encourages all employees, workers, and suppliers to report any concerns or suspicions regarding modern slavery or human trafficking connected to our business. We are committed to ensuring that individuals who raise concerns in good faith can do so without fear of retaliation, dismissal, or other adverse consequences.

Concerns may be raised with a line manager, a senior member of staff, or through any existing internal reporting mechanisms made available within our organisation. We will investigate all reports promptly, sensitively, and, where possible, confidentially. Where appropriate, we will involve relevant external bodies or authorities. Any confirmed incident of modern slavery will lead to decisive action, including support for affected individuals and review of our controls to prevent recurrence.

Training and Awareness

We recognise that awareness and understanding are essential to preventing modern slavery. Gardeners New Addington aims to provide suitable guidance and information to employees, particularly those involved in procurement, recruitment, and contract management, so they can identify risk indicators and respond appropriately.

We promote awareness of modern slavery risks through internal communications and discussions with key suppliers. Our objective is to build a culture where ethical labour practices are clearly understood and actively championed throughout our operations.

Monitoring, Governance, and Annual Review

Responsibility for overseeing this Modern Slavery Statement and our related practices sits with the senior management of Gardeners New Addington. They are responsible for reviewing risk areas, monitoring the effectiveness of our actions, and ensuring that modern slavery considerations remain embedded in our decision-making processes.

This statement will be reviewed at least once every year and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice, and the nature of our operations and supply chains. We will assess the effectiveness of our approach by considering the outcomes of supplier audits, reports received through our channels, and any incidents or concerns that arise. Where improvements are identified, we will take timely steps to strengthen our policies, procedures, and training.

This Modern Slavery Statement reflects Gardeners New Addington's ongoing commitment to acting ethically and with integrity in all business dealings and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure that modern slavery and human trafficking have no place in our organisation or supply chain.