Gardener Tooting Modern Slavery Statement

This Modern Slavery Statement sets out Gardener Tooting's unwavering commitment to preventing modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking in all forms. We operate a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of exploitation and take active steps across our business and supply chain to identify and address risks. This anti-slavery statement explains our approach, responsibilities and the actions we take to maintain an ethical and safe working environment.

Gardener Tooting’s modern slavery statement covers employees, contractors and the suppliers we engage. Our policies are applied across recruitment, onboarding and supplier selection. We expect all partners to adhere to our standards and we incorporate clear contractual obligations into procurement processes. We believe prevention, transparency and accountability are essential to eradicating trafficking and exploitation in any part of our operations.

To manage risk we conduct regular supplier due diligence and supplier audits. Our checks include desktop reviews, documentation validation and, where necessary, on-site assessments. Key elements of our monitoring include:

• Risk assessments of geographical and sector exposure;
• Scheduled and ad-hoc supplier audits to verify labour practices;
• Remediation plans where issues are identified, with timelines for resolution.

Zero-Tolerance Policy

Our zero-tolerance policy means Gardener Tooting will not tolerate forced labour, child labour or any practices that constitute modern slavery. Any employee, contractor or supplier found to be in breach of this policy will face stringent action, including termination of contracts or employment. We investigate all allegations and take corrective measures to protect victims and prevent recurrence.

We ensure that recruitment and employment practices are fair and lawful. Staff are engaged directly on clear contracts, paid at least the legal minimum and provided with rights information. Where third-party labour is used, contractual clauses require compliance with our standards and allow for audit and verification. Our procurement criteria explicitly exclude suppliers who do not meet these core obligations.

Reporting Channels and Whistleblowing

Gardener Tooting encourages prompt reporting of concerns through multiple confidential channels. We provide secure internal reporting routes and anonymous options to ensure people can raise issues without fear of retaliation. Reports are investigated impartially and appropriate support is offered to anyone impacted. We maintain records of allegations, investigations and outcomes to improve our response and learn from each case.

We require our supply chain partners to cooperate with audits and timely remediation. Training is provided for procurement, HR and operational teams to recognise indicators of exploitation and to apply our policies consistently. Continuous training helps staff and contractors feel confident in identifying risks and taking action. We also encourage suppliers to cascade similar expectations down their own supply chains.

An annual review process ensures our statement and procedures remain effective and proportionate. Each year we examine our policies, audit findings, training completion rates and incident trends to identify improvements. The annual review leads to updated controls, revised risk assessments and enhanced supplier engagement plans. We commit to increasing transparency and strengthening preventative measures over time.

In conclusion, Gardener Tooting's slavery and human trafficking statement reflects our strong commitment to ethical conduct and human rights. We will continue to implement due diligence, conduct regular supplier audits, maintain secure reporting channels and perform an annual review to ensure the integrity of our practices. This anti-slavery and human trafficking statement is approved by our leadership and will be reviewed and republished to reflect ongoing improvements and accountability.