Gardener Acton Modern Slavery Statement
Gardener Acton publishes this Modern Slavery Statement to set out our commitment to preventing exploitation across our operations and supply chains. This anti-slavery statement reflects the company's belief that there is a zero-tolerance policy towards forced labour, human trafficking and any form of involuntary servitude. Our approach to the modern-slavery policy is grounded in respect for human rights, transparency and measurable action.
We operate a clear and enforceable set of standards that all employees, contractors and suppliers must meet. Our modern slavery statement sets expectations for working conditions, fair pay and ethical recruitment practices, and it complements our broader corporate responsibility program. Every part of Gardener Acton is required to adhere to these standards and report any suspected breaches immediately through established channels.
As part of our slavery and human trafficking statement we maintain a structured programme of supplier engagement and supplier audits. We perform risk-based reviews focusing on regions, sectors and contract types where the risk of forced labour is highest. Our procurement teams work with suppliers to confirm compliance and to provide capacity building where gaps are identified. The supplier assurance process includes documentation checks, on-site inspections and worker interviews conducted by trained auditors.
Zero-Tolerance Policy and Enforcement
Gardener Acton operates a zero-tolerance policy on modern slavery. Any employee found to be involved in exploitative practices will face disciplinary action up to and including termination. For suppliers, breaches of our modern slavery policy may result in contract termination and remediation requirements. We reserve the right to suspend business with partners that fail to cooperate with investigations or refuse corrective actions.
Our code of conduct is mandatory and includes provisions to prohibit forced, bonded or indentured labour, and the use of child labour. The code requires transparency in recruitment fees and prohibits retention of identity documents. We require evidence of lawful employment status and fair working hours and ensure that wages meet or exceed legal minimums in the jurisdiction of operation.
To support enforcement we provide multiple reporting channels so concerns can be raised safely and confidentially. Reports may be escalated internally to our compliance team or anonymously via secure whistleblowing mechanisms. Workers, suppliers and third parties are encouraged to use these channels without fear of retaliation. The company commits to investigating all credible reports promptly and objectively.
Supplier Audits, Reporting Channels and Remediation
Our supplier audit programme includes the following components:
- Risk assessment and supplier segmentation;
- Documentary review and self-assessments;
- On-site and third-party audits with worker interviews;
- Corrective action plans and follow-up monitoring.
We make clear that reporting channels are available to everyone in our value chain. Confidentiality and protection from retaliation are central to our reporting policy. Where modern slavery indicators are discovered, Gardener Acton will take proportionate action including remediation for affected workers, collaboration with authorities and termination of contracts where necessary.
Annual review is embedded in our approach: we publish and update this statement each year, reassess risk profiles, evaluate the results of supplier audits and refine our training and prevention activities. The annual review also measures the effectiveness of our controls and identifies priority actions for continuous improvement. Gardener Acton will continue to strengthen its anti-slavery efforts, working with partners to drive systemic change and ensure that our modern slavery statement remains actionable, robust and transparent.