Gardeners Twickenham Modern Slavery Statement
This Modern Slavery Statement is made by Gardeners Twickenham in respect of the current financial year. It sets out the steps we are taking to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking from occurring within our business operations and our supply chains. Gardeners Twickenham is committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our relationships, and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery has no place in our activities.
Modern slavery is a severe violation of fundamental human rights. It can take various forms, including forced labour, bonded labour, servitude, child labour and human trafficking. Gardeners Twickenham recognises its responsibility to respect human rights and to promote fair and safe working conditions for all individuals who contribute to our services, whether directly or indirectly.
Our Zero-Tolerance Policy
Gardeners Twickenham operates a clear and unequivocal zero-tolerance policy towards modern slavery and human trafficking. We do not accept, condone or ignore any form of exploitation, coercion or abuse in our business or supply chains. This policy applies to all employees, agency workers, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and any other partners who work with or on behalf of Gardeners Twickenham.
All working relationships must be based on freely chosen employment, fair pay, respect, dignity and safe working conditions. Any breach or suspected breach of this policy will be treated as a serious matter, investigated promptly and may result in termination of contracts or working relationships.
Our Supply Chains and Supplier Audits
Our supply chains primarily relate to the sourcing of gardening tools, equipment, plants, landscaping materials and related services. We recognise that risks of modern slavery can arise at various stages of production and distribution, especially where multiple tiers of suppliers are involved.
To manage these risks, Gardeners Twickenham is committed to assessing and monitoring our suppliers. We expect all suppliers to share our commitment to ethical conduct and to comply with applicable labour, employment and human rights laws. As part of our ongoing due diligence, we may undertake supplier checks and audits, including requesting information on labour practices, verifying the use of legitimate recruitment channels and reviewing relevant policies and certifications.
Where appropriate, we will prioritise working with suppliers that demonstrate transparency, robust labour standards and a willingness to engage constructively on ethical issues. If a supplier is unwilling or unable to meet our expectations, we will consider amending or ending the relationship.
Reporting Channels and Raising Concerns
Gardeners Twickenham encourages everyone associated with our business, including workers and suppliers, to speak up if they have concerns about potential modern slavery or unethical labour practices. We are committed to ensuring that concerns can be raised safely and without fear of retaliation.
Concerns can be reported to management or designated senior contacts within Gardeners Twickenham. Reports may be made confidentially. We will investigate all reports thoroughly, sensitively and as quickly as possible. Where appropriate, we will take corrective action, which may include notifying appropriate authorities, remediating any harm identified and improving our processes to prevent recurrence.
No individual who raises a concern in good faith will suffer any detriment for doing so. We expect our suppliers to adopt similar channels and protections within their own organisations and to promptly inform us if any modern slavery issues are identified in their operations.
Training, Awareness and Continuous Improvement
We recognise that awareness and understanding of modern slavery risks are essential to preventing exploitation. Gardeners Twickenham aims to provide relevant training and guidance to managers and staff involved in procurement, recruitment and supplier management. This helps ensure that potential indicators of modern slavery are recognised and addressed at an early stage.
We are committed to continuously improving our approach by reviewing best practice guidance, updating procedures where necessary and engaging with suppliers to strengthen labour standards and transparency. Modern slavery is a complex and evolving issue, and we will remain vigilant to new risks and developments.
Annual Review of This Statement
This Modern Slavery Statement will be reviewed annually by the leadership of Gardeners Twickenham. The review will consider any incidents reported, audit findings, legislative changes, feedback from stakeholders and developments in good practice. Where improvements are identified, we will update our policies, procedures and this statement accordingly.
By maintaining a clear zero-tolerance stance, monitoring our supply chains, providing safe reporting channels and conducting an annual review, Gardeners Twickenham strives to ensure that our business and our suppliers uphold the highest standards of respect for human rights and the elimination of modern slavery in all its forms.
