Modern Slavery Statement
Modern Slavery Statement for Cleaners Elephant and Castle
This Modern Slavery Statement sets out the steps Cleaners Elephant and Castle takes to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in our operations and supply chains. We recognise our responsibility to uphold human rights and ensure that all individuals involved in our business are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.
Our Commitment and Zero-Tolerance Policy
Cleaners Elephant and Castle has a clear zero-tolerance approach to all forms of modern slavery, forced labour, child labour, servitude, and human trafficking. This commitment applies to every aspect of our activities, including the direct employment of staff and the engagement of contractors, agencies, and suppliers. We expect everyone who works with or for us to share this stance and to act in accordance with our values and standards.
No form of exploitation is acceptable in our business. Any suspected breach of this policy will be treated seriously, investigated promptly, and may result in termination of contracts or working relationships, and where appropriate, referral to relevant authorities.
Our Business and Supply Chains
Cleaners Elephant and Castle provides professional cleaning services to residential and commercial customers. Our workforce includes directly engaged staff, temporary workers, and contracted partners. Our supply chains cover cleaning products, equipment, protective clothing, agency labour, and facilities support services.
We recognise that risks of modern slavery can exist in labour-intensive sectors and in the production of cleaning materials and equipment. We therefore work to identify and reduce these risks through careful supplier selection, ongoing monitoring, and clear expectations on labour standards.
Supplier Standards and Audits
We require our suppliers, contractors, and service providers to operate in compliance with all applicable labour and human rights laws. Our procurement processes include an assessment of ethical practices, working conditions, and management of modern slavery risks.
Where appropriate, we conduct audits or request evidence from suppliers to verify that they have suitable policies and controls in place. These may include checks on recruitment practices, wages and working hours, freedom of movement, and the use of subcontractors. Suppliers must be able to demonstrate transparency in their own supply chains and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Failure by a supplier to meet our expectations or to address genuine concerns may lead to corrective action plans or the ending of our business relationship. We are committed to engaging constructively with suppliers to raise standards and reduce the risk of exploitation.
Reporting Concerns and Whistleblowing
We encourage all employees, workers, suppliers, and other stakeholders to report any concerns related to modern slavery or unethical labour practices within our business or supply chains. Reports can be made to line managers, senior management, or other designated contacts within the company.
All reports will be taken seriously and handled as confidentially as possible. We will not tolerate any form of victimisation or retaliation against individuals who raise concerns in good faith. Where allegations are substantiated, we will take appropriate remedial and disciplinary action and, where necessary, work with relevant authorities and expert organisations.
Training, Awareness, and Responsibility
Responsibility for our approach to modern slavery sits with senior management, who oversee policy implementation and review. Managers involved in recruitment, supplier selection, and contract management receive guidance on identifying and responding to modern slavery risks.
We aim to raise awareness among our workforce of the signs of modern slavery and how to report concerns. This helps ensure that our policies are understood in practice and that potential issues can be identified and addressed at an early stage.
Monitoring, Annual Review, and Continuous Improvement
We recognise that combating modern slavery is an ongoing process and that risks can change over time. Cleaners Elephant and Castle will review this Modern Slavery Statement at least once every year, as well as whenever there are significant changes in our operations or supply chains.
The annual review will consider the effectiveness of our actions, the results of any audits or investigations, feedback from workers and suppliers, and relevant legal or industry developments. Where areas for improvement are identified, we will update our procedures, strengthen controls, and provide additional training or resources as required.
This statement reflects the commitment of Cleaners Elephant and Castle to act ethically and with integrity in all our relationships and to work actively to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in our business and supply chains.