Gardeners Forest Gate Modern Slavery Statement
Gardeners Forest Gate publishes this Modern Slavery Statement to set out our commitment to prevent modern slavery, human trafficking and forced labour across our operations and supply chains. This anti-slavery statement articulates our values and the steps we take to identify, assess and address the risk of modern slavery in every part of our business. We recognise that a clear, publicly available slavery and human trafficking statement is essential to drive accountability and continuous improvement.
We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of exploitation and modern slavery. Gardeners Forest Gate requires all employees, contractors and suppliers to adhere to labour standards consistent with applicable laws and international norms. Our commitment to an ethical supply chain and to a robust modern slavery policy is embedded in procurement, contracting and daily operations.
The scope of this modern slavery and human trafficking statement covers our direct operations and tiers of suppliers where we have influence. We assess risk by sector, geography and supplier function, with special scrutiny applied to seasonal labour, contracted maintenance and outsourced services. Our modern slavery statement for gardeners and grounds teams extends to the way we recruit, manage and remunerate staff and subcontractors.
Due Diligence and Supplier Audits
Gardeners Forest Gate carries out due diligence and supplier evaluations to detect and deter modern slavery risks. We conduct risk-based supplier audits, combining desktop assessments with on-site checks where practicable. Audits review contracts, working hours, wage records and recruitment practices to ensure compliance with our anti-slavery statement and relevant labour laws.
Our procurement team operates mandatory onboarding checks for new suppliers, including document verification and contract clauses that require compliance with our modern slavery policy. We use corrective action plans for non-compliant suppliers and reserve the right to terminate relationships where remediation is unsuccessful or exploitation is detected.
Key elements of our supplier audit program include:
- Verification of worker identity and payment records
- Interviews with workers where possible to confirm working conditions
- Monitoring subcontractors and recruitment intermediaries
Zero-Tolerance and Training
Gardeners Forest Gate enforces a zero-tolerance policy for any form of slavery or human trafficking. All staff receive training on recognising signs of exploitation and their responsibilities under our anti-slavery statement. Managers are trained to apply remedial measures and to escalate serious concerns immediately.
Reporting channels are accessible, confidential and protected. We maintain multiple safe ways to raise concerns about modern slavery, including anonymous reporting mechanisms and internal escalation routes. Employees and third parties are encouraged to report suspected exploitation without fear of retaliation; all reports are investigated promptly and impartially.
Gardeners Forest Gate regularly reviews and updates this modern slavery policy and publishes progress annually. The findings of supplier audits, training completion rates and remediation outcomes inform our continuous improvement approach. We set measurable targets and track indicators related to supplier compliance, grievance resolution and workforce protection.
In summary, this slavery and human trafficking statement demonstrates Gardeners Forest Gate's dedication to eradicating modern slavery from our business and supply chains. We will continue to strengthen due diligence, enhance supplier audits, promote transparent reporting channels and conduct an annual review of our anti-slavery statement to ensure effectiveness and accountability. Together with our partners and stakeholders, we commit to protecting the rights and dignity of every worker involved with Gardeners Forest Gate.
