Our modern slavery statement explains why as a purpose-led business that aims to put people and the planet before profit, nothing is more important than addressing the human rights of those who help make the products we use while providing our services. 

Our Responsible Sourcing Code of Practice sets out our commitment to workers’ rights and our expectations of our suppliers regarding issues such as pay, working hours, and child labour. It is based on the Ethical trading Initiative. We believe that employment must be freely chosen, with no forced, bonded or involuntary labour. 

Our Responsible Sourcing Code of Practice is based on the following:

• We seek to build lasting relationships with our suppliers. We are committed to respecting the rights of workers
  throughout our product and services supply chains and collaborating to raise labour standards, to improve working conditions and to create fairly rewarded employment.
• Workers are not required to lodge “deposits” or their identity papers with their employer and are free to leave their employer after reasonable notice.
• Workers, without distinction, have the right to join or form trade unions of their own choosing and to bargain collectively.
• The employer adopts an open attitude towards the activities of trade unions and their organisational activities.
• Workers representatives are not discriminated against and have access to carry out their representative functions in the workplace.
• A safe and hygienic working environment shall be provided, bearing in mind the prevailing knowledge of the industry and of any specific hazards. Adequate steps shall be taken to prevent accidents and injury to health arising out of, associated with, or occurring in the course of work, by minimising, so far as is reasonably practicable, the causes of hazards inherent in the working environment.
• Workers shall receive regular and recorded health and safety training, and such training shall be repeated for new or reassigned workers.
• Access to clean toilet facilities and to potable water, and, if appropriate, sanitary facilities for food storage shall be provided.
• Child labour shall not be used.
• Wages and benefits paid for a standard working week meet, at a minimum, national legal standards or industry benchmark standards, whichever is higher. In any event wages should always be enough to meet basic needs and to provide some discretionary income.
• All workers shall be provided with written and understandable information about their employment conditions in respect to wages before they enter employment and about the particulars of their wages for the pay period concerned each time that they are paid.
• Deductions from wages as a disciplinary measure shall not be permitted nor shall any deductions from wages not provided for by national law be permitted without the expressed permission of the worker concerned. All disciplinary measures should be recorded.
• There is no discrimination in hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, termination or retirement based on race, caste, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, union membership or political affiliation.
• Physical abuse or discipline, the threat of physical abuse, sexual or other harassment and verbal abuse or other forms of intimidation shall be prohibited.

In line with our Modern Slavery Statement, we specifically seek out and use third parties and suppliers who adhere to the above statements. If any of our trade partners and /or suppliers proves to be in preach of any of the above, we will terminate any accounts with immediate effect.

For further info please see : Modern Slavery Act 2015 policy and statement