Gardening Hackbridge: Modern Slavery Statement

Gardening Hackbridge publishes this Modern Slavery Statement to confirm our commitment to preventing forced labour, human trafficking and any form of exploitation across our operations and supply chain. This anti-slavery declaration explains the steps we take, our expectations of suppliers and the governance that ensures effective implementation of our Modern Slavery Policy. We recognise that a clear, enforceable slavery prevention statement is essential to protect workers and the integrity of our services.

Our Zero-Tolerance Policy

Zero tolerance is central to Gardening Hackbridge's approach. We will not tolerate any modern slavery, bonded labour, or related practices in our operations or those of our suppliers. All employees, contractors and partners are required to comply with this anti-slavery commitment. Any breach of this zero-tolerance policy will trigger immediate investigation and proportionate sanctions, up to contract termination and referral to authorities where appropriate.

Scope and Commitment

This modern slavery statement covers Gardening Hackbridge and its controlled operations, including temporary labour, subcontractors and procurement of materials used in landscaping and grounds maintenance. We require all suppliers to adhere to our standards and to demonstrate transparent labour practices. The Gardening Hackbridge anti-slavery statement requires contractual warranties, due diligence and the right to audit compliance across tiers of supply.

Supplier Audits and Due Diligence

We operate a risk-based supplier assurance programme that includes regular audits, site visits and documentation reviews. Core elements of our supplier audits include:

• Verification of working conditions: proof of lawful recruitment, wage records and working hours;
• Contractual obligations: anti-slavery clauses that require remediation and allow contract termination;
• Third-party audits: independent verification where risks are elevated.

Gardening Hackbridge conducts both scheduled and surprise audits. Where issues are identified, we work collaboratively with suppliers to implement corrective action plans with clear timelines and monitoring. Failure to remedy serious findings results in escalation and possible disengagement to protect workers and the community.

Reporting Channels

We maintain secure and accessible reporting channels for workers, suppliers and the public to raise concerns about suspected slavery or human trafficking. Reports may be made through protected internal channels set up for whistleblowing, and we commit to:

Confidentiality, careful assessment of allegations, and a strict non-retaliation policy to protect those who speak up. All reports are logged, triaged and investigated by trained personnel with escalation to senior management as required.

Training, Remediation and Continuous Improvement

We provide ongoing training for staff and key suppliers to raise awareness of modern slavery risks and our compliance expectations. Training modules include recognising signs of exploitation, correct use of reporting channels and the actions Gardening Hackbridge will take when non-compliance is detected. We emphasise remedial steps to safeguard affected workers and ensure fair remediation.

Governance and Responsibility

Responsibility for the anti-slavery programme sits with senior management and is overseen by the board. Responsibilities include resourcing supplier audits, approving corrective action plans, and ensuring that the Modern Slavery Policy is integrated into procurement, HR and operational processes. Our governance framework sets clear accountability for monitoring and enforcement.

Annual Review and Statement Approval

Gardening Hackbridge undertakes an annual review of this anti-slavery statement and our practices to measure effectiveness and identify improvements. The review examines audit outcomes, investigation records, training completion rates and key performance indicators. Findings inform updates to our policies, enhanced due diligence measures and targeted supplier interventions. The updated statement is approved by senior leadership following each review cycle.

In conclusion, this modern slavery statement by Gardening Hackbridge reaffirms our unequivocal stance against exploitation. We will continue to strengthen our supplier audits, maintain robust reporting channels and perform annual reviews to ensure continuous improvement in preventing modern slavery across our operations and supply chain.