We abhor recruitment based on harbouring or transporting people into situations of exploitation through violence, deception or coercion.

We condemn employment practices in which people are subjected to servitude or forced to work against their will.

We embrace principles supportive of inclusion, equal treatment without discrimination and the protection of employment law. They are broadly based on those developed by the United Nations, International Labour Organisation, Institute for Human Rights and Business and the Ethical Trading Initiative.

We treat all staff equally; without discrimination and with respect for their human rights.

All staff enjoy the protection of relevant UK law in respect of their employment. In particular: –

• We encourage all our employees to report any concerns related to the direct activities, or the supply chains of, our organisation. This includes any circumstances that may give rise to an enhanced risk of slavery or human trafficking. Our whistleblowing procedure is designed to make it easy for employees to make disclosures, without fear of retaliation.
• Our employee code of conduct and values makes clear to employees the actions and behaviour expected of them when representing our organisation. We strive to maintain the highest standards of employee conduct and ethical behaviour in all operations and in managing its supply chain.
• We are committed to ensuring that our suppliers adhere to the highest standards of ethics. Suppliers are required to demonstrate that they provide safe working conditions where necessary, treat workers with dignity and respect, and act ethically and within the law in their use of labour. We operate exclusively in the UK and Europe where compliance with health and safety and employment legislation enforce the minimum standard for all working engagements.
• We use only specified, reputable employment agencies to source labour and always verify the practices of any new agency before accepting workers from that agency. Employees and agency staff are vetted with appropriate right to work and background checks, they are paid directly in most cases or with a minimum of the national living wage being paid to the agency worker.
• We bear the full costs of recruitment and do not charge staff fees for hiring, placing or promoting them.
• We provide written statements of terms and conditions of employment to all staff as required by law. These documents explain everything in a clear and transparent way.
• We support the right to seek, obtain and hold employment without discrimination and with complete respect for dignity.
• We do not coerce anyone to work for us. When you choose to work for us you do so voluntarily.
• Employees must prove your entitlement to work in the UK. However, we do not hold or retain original passports, identity documents or residency papers. Employees should retain such documents personally.
• Everyone is paid regularly, in accordance with their terms and conditions of employment. Pay rates always meet or exceed the UK legal minimum. We provide a written summary of pay and deductions (pay slip) for each pay period.
• Working hours and rest breaks always meet UK law. We summarise the detail in a written statement of terms and conditions of employment.
• Everyone has the right to join or not join a trade union at their complete discretion.
• We provide safe and decent working conditions with suitable training as necessary. Our operations comply with or exceed statutory health and safety standards.
• We provide formal grievance provisions through which staff are free to lodge a work-related complaint or raise a matter of concern.
• We do not impede anyone’s freedom of movement or their opportunity to seek employment elsewhere.
• UK law governs the work of any young person that we employ.
• We also encourage our suppliers to endorse such principles to demonstrate their opposition to human trafficking and modern-day slavery.