Modern Slavery Statement for Gardeners Erith
Gardeners Erith declares a clear and unwavering stance: we have a zero-tolerance policy towards modern slavery, human trafficking and forced labour in all forms. This statement sets out the action our business and the gardeners in Erith take to prevent exploitation in our operations and supply chains. It reflects our commitment to ethical work standards for all workers engaged by Gardeners in Erith and its contractors.
Our policy applies to every individual working for or on behalf of Erith gardeners and extends to subcontractors, temporary staff and suppliers. We require that all team members and partners comply with employment laws and ethical labour standards, and we strongly encourage reporting of any suspected breaches through secure channels. This statement complements our broader safeguarding and procurement policies.
Supplier Due Diligence and Audits
We undertake proportionate due diligence on suppliers and service providers to reduce the risk of modern slavery. Our supplier audits include checks on recruitment practices, working conditions, wage payments and identity verification. Where risks are identified, we implement corrective action plans and, if necessary, terminate relationships with suppliers who fail to remediate serious non-compliance. As part of our approach, we prioritise transparency and expect suppliers to share records and allow site visits.Reporting Channels and Whistleblowing
Gardeners Erith provides multiple safe and confidential reporting channels for concerns about slavery or exploitation. We promote anonymous and named reporting and protect whistleblowers from retaliation. Reports are investigated promptly and impartially by trained staff.
Our internal reporting framework includes:
- A secure internal reporting line managed by our compliance team
- Designated managers trained to receive and escalate concerns
- A clear escalation path to senior management for urgent cases
We also communicate expectations to all contractors and subcontractors, insisting on adherence to labour and human rights standards. Gardeners, Erith will act decisively where misconduct is found: sanctions range from remediation and monitoring to contract termination and referral to authorities where appropriate.
Training and capacity building are central to our prevention strategy. We provide regular training for staff, managers and procurement teams on recognising indicators of modern slavery and implementing robust recruitment checks. Our training emphasises the responsibilities of Erith gardeners to spot, report and prevent exploitation and to ensure that employment practices are lawful and ethical.
We monitor effectiveness through scheduled reviews, supplier reassessments and independent audits. Our supplier audits are risk-based and include documentary checks and, where necessary, onsite inspections. Findings are documented, acted upon and fed into continuous improvement of our policies. This risk-led approach ensures resources are focused where the potential for harm is greatest.
Annual Review and Continued Commitment: Gardeners Erith will review this Modern Slavery Statement annually to assess progress, update actions and publish outcomes. The review process includes evaluation of audit results, analysis of reporting trends, staff training uptake and the effectiveness of remediation measures. Senior leadership approves the statement and ensures ongoing oversight, embedding anti-slavery principles into procurement, HR and operational decision-making.
We are committed to continuous improvement. By embedding a culture of vigilance, providing clear reporting channels, conducting supplier audits and maintaining a strict zero-tolerance stance, Gardeners Erith and Erith gardeners seek to ensure that forced labour and exploitation have no place in our operations or supply chain. This statement is part of our ongoing effort to safeguard workers and uphold human rights across the communities we serve.
