Our Commitment to Combating Modern Slavery - Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy Statement
This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes the company’s slavery and human trafficking statement for the current financial year. This statement outlines the steps that Howsons Ltd have taken to ensure that modern slavery or human trafficking is not taking place within our business or supply chain.
introduction
Howsons Ltd have a responsibility to be alert to the risks, however small, in our business and in the wider supply chain. All employees are expected to be aware of and to follow the guidance outlined in the company’s Anti-Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy and report concerns.
Managers of the company are required to act whenever any concerns are raised whether from within or from outside the business.
company structure
We are a family run company based solely in the UK. The company has it’s head office in North Yorkshire.
We are committed to ensuring that modern slavery or human trafficking plays no part in our supply chain or in any part of our business. We are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships and to implement and enforce effective systems and controls to, as far as practical, ensure slavery and human trafficking is not taking place anywhere in the company or our supply chain. We comply with national minimum wage laws and do not employ child labour. All of our employees are:
paid by bank transfer, we do not allow payment to be made in to third party bank accounts, thus minimising the risk of forced or compulsory labour
all our employees are vetted for the right to work in this country. Where employees required a work permit/VISA, we ensure that they have all the necessary documentation in place
supplier chain
Our supply chain comprises the engagement of subcontractor organisations to carry out works and services on our sites and the sourcing of materials and manufactured products. We are committed to ensuring that slavery and human trafficking plays no part in out supply chain or any part of our business.
As part of our initiative to identify and mitigate risk:
where possible, we build long standing relationships with our suppliers and subcontractors and make clear our expectations or business behaviour
we have in place systems to encourage the reporting of concerns and the protection of whistle blowers
we operate a supplier/subcontractors verification process. We give all suppliers/subcontractors a copy of our anti-slavery statement, request and review a copy of their statement
supplier adherance to our values
We have zero tolerance to slavery and human trafficking and we expect all those in our supply chain and contractors to comply with our values. The Company will not support or deal with any business knowingly involved in slavery or human trafficking.
training
To ensure a high level of understanding of the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking in our supply chins and our business, we provide trainmen to relevant members of staff. All director have been briefed on the subject.
failure to comply
A failure to comply with the Act, and/or this policy statement will be deemed to be a material breach of the terms of our standard commercial agreements and contracts of employment.
approval for this statement
This statement was approved by the Board of Directors on 5th January 2019 and will be reviewed annually.
