Gardener Willesden Modern Slavery Statement

Gardener Willesden confirms its commitment to the highest standards of ethical conduct in all operations and supply chains. This Modern Slavery Statement sets out our stance on preventing forced labour, human trafficking and all forms of modern slavery. We adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards exploitation and are proactive in identifying and mitigating risks in the workforce and among suppliers. This declaration applies across our services, contractors and procurement activities.

Our approach to an effective modern slavery policy is based on transparency, proportionate due diligence and continuous improvement. We require that all staff and partners act in accordance with this anti-slavery policy and take immediate action if concerns are raised. The company uses mandatory training modules, awareness campaigns and onboarding checks to ensure employees and temporary workers understand their rights and avenues for help. We emphasise that reporting concerns will not lead to retaliation.

We operate a targeted supplier risk assessment programme to identify potential vulnerabilities in our procurement chain. Supplier audits and compliance checks form a core part of our controls: higher-risk suppliers receive enhanced scrutiny through on-site audits, detailed document reviews and worker interviews. We maintain supplier codes of conduct that explicitly ban forced labour and require transparent recruitment practices. Non-compliant suppliers face contractual remedies up to and including termination.

Policies, Procedures and Prevention

We maintain clear policies and operational procedures to prevent and address modern slavery. Our anti-slavery statement and procedures are embedded in procurement, HR and operational manuals. Where appropriate, we include contractual clauses requiring evidence of lawful employment, right-to-work checks and ethical recruitment processes. We also collaborate with peers and sector bodies to share best practice and intelligence on emerging risks.

Supplier Engagement and Monitoring

Supplier due diligence includes risk-based monitoring frequency, random and scheduled audits, and corrective action plans. Audits assess pay practices, working hours, recruitment fees and freedom of movement. We collect and review documentation such as wage records and labour contracts, and we use interviews with workers to corroborate documentary evidence. Persistent or systemic breaches trigger escalation to senior management and may result in contract suspension.

We also maintain a supplier development programme to help partners meet our standards. Capacity building includes training on ethical recruitment, payroll transparency and grievance mechanisms. This constructive approach reduces the likelihood of exploitation and supports long-term supply chain resilience while reinforcing our commitment to an effective anti-slavery statement.

Reporting channels are essential. We provide multiple safe and confidential ways for workers, staff and third parties to raise concerns about suspected slavery or trafficking. These reporting channels include anonymous hotlines, secure email reporting and designated safeguarding officers. We guarantee that all reports will be assessed promptly, investigated thoroughly and treated with confidentiality and respect.

Where allegations are substantiated, we take immediate remedial action to protect victims, which may include relocation, provision of medical or legal assistance and coordination with law enforcement where appropriate. Our remedial approach is victim-focused and aims to restore dignity and avoid further harm. We adopt a principle of non-punitive action for reporting individuals and encourage open disclosure.

This slavery and human trafficking statement is reviewed on an annual basis as part of our governance cycle. The annual review evaluates the effectiveness of controls, the outcomes of supplier audits, incident reports and training completion rates. Findings are presented to senior leadership and used to update policies, refine audit strategies and allocate resources for remedial or preventive programmes. We publish the results of the review internally and ensure continuous improvement of our modern slavery controls.