Modern Slavery Statement for Gardeners Seven Sisters

Gardeners Seven Sisters is committed to operating in a way that respects human rights and promotes ethical working practices across all areas of our business. This Modern Slavery Statement sets out the steps we take to prevent modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labour, and child labour within our operations and supply chains. It applies to all employees, temporary workers, contractors, and suppliers engaged by Gardeners Seven Sisters.

Our Zero-Tolerance Approach

We maintain a clear and unequivocal zero-tolerance policy towards modern slavery and human trafficking. We do not accept any form of forced, compulsory, or bonded labour, nor any practices that exploit vulnerable individuals or restrict their freedom. This commitment extends to all parts of our business, including gardening services, landscaping projects, procurement of materials, and any related activities.

Every person working for or with Gardeners Seven Sisters is expected to uphold this standard. We will immediately investigate any credible concern and, where appropriate, terminate relationships with any party found to be involved in modern slavery or related abuses.

Our People and Working Practices

We are committed to fair recruitment and employment practices. All workers at Gardeners Seven Sisters are engaged on terms that meet or exceed all applicable employment laws, including in relation to wages, working hours, and health and safety. No one is required to lodge deposits, surrender identity documents, or pay recruitment fees to secure work.

We provide clear information about roles, rates of pay, and working conditions before employment begins. We also support freedom of movement and the right of individuals to leave their employment with reasonable notice in line with contractual and legal requirements.

Supplier Standards and Audits

Our zero-tolerance stance extends throughout our supply chain. We expect all suppliers of plants, tools, equipment, uniforms, and related services to share our commitment to preventing modern slavery. As part of our supplier onboarding process, we assess the ethical profile of new suppliers and request confirmation of their adherence to relevant labour and human rights standards.

We conduct risk-based supplier audits to verify compliance. These reviews may include site visits, document checks, and worker interviews where appropriate. We prioritise suppliers operating in sectors or regions where the risk of modern slavery is higher. If an audit identifies non-compliance, we require corrective actions within a defined timeframe and may suspend or end the relationship if issues are not resolved.

Training and Awareness

Gardeners Seven Sisters provides guidance and training to relevant employees, particularly those involved in recruitment, procurement, and contractor management. Training covers the indicators of modern slavery, how to conduct due diligence, and how to respond to concerns. We aim to build a culture in which everyone understands their role in preventing exploitation.

Reporting Concerns

We strongly encourage anyone with concerns about potential modern slavery or human trafficking connected to our business to speak up. Concerns may relate to our own operations, a colleague, a contractor, or a supplier. Reports can be made to a manager, a senior member of the business, or through any established internal reporting channels. Concerns can be raised anonymously where permitted by local laws.

All reports are treated seriously and handled sensitively. We will not tolerate any form of victimisation or retaliation against individuals who raise concerns in good faith. Where necessary, we will cooperate with law enforcement and other appropriate authorities.

Continuous Improvement and Annual Review

We recognise that combating modern slavery is an ongoing responsibility. Gardeners Seven Sisters regularly reviews its policies, risk assessments, and due diligence procedures to strengthen our approach. We monitor developments in legislation, best practice, and industry guidance to ensure that our measures remain effective and proportionate.

This Modern Slavery Statement is reviewed annually by our leadership team. As part of this review, we evaluate the effectiveness of our supplier audits, training programmes, and reporting mechanisms. Any necessary improvements are incorporated into our action plan for the following year. By maintaining this continuous improvement cycle, Gardeners Seven Sisters aims to reduce the risk of modern slavery within our operations and supply chains and to promote ethical practices throughout the gardening and landscaping sector.