Modern slavery policy

Modern slavery is a crime resulting in an abhorrent abuse of the human rights of vulnerable workers. It can take various forms, such as slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking. Humane Design has a zero tolerance approach to modern slavery. It is committed to acting ethically and with integrity and transparency in all of its business dealings and relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure that modern slavery and human trafficking are not taking place anywhere within either its own business or in any of its supply chains, consistent with its obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Humane Design also expects the same high standards from all of its suppliers, contractors and other business partners, and, as part of its contracting processes, it includes specific prohibitions against the use of modern slavery and expects that its suppliers will hold their suppliers to the same standards.

This policy applies to all individuals working for the company or on Humane Design’s behalf in any capacity, including employees, directors, agency workers, volunteers, contractors, consultants and business partners.

Responsibility for the policy#

Simon Whatley is responsible for implementing this policy, monitoring its use and effectiveness and auditing internal control systems and policies and procedures to ensure they effectively prevent or remediate the risk of modern slavery. He is also responsible for investigating allegations of modern slavery in the Humane Design’s business or supply chains.

Compliance#

The prevention, detection and reporting of modern slavery in any part of the company’s business or supply chains, whether in the UK or abroad, is the responsibility of all those working for Humane Design or under the company’s control. You must avoid any activity that might lead to a breach of this policy.

If you believe or suspect a breach of or conflict with this policy has occurred or may occur, you must report it per the company’s whistleblowing policy. You are encouraged to raise concerns about any issue or suspicion of modern slavery in any part of the Humane Design’s business or supply chains as soon as possible. If you are unsure whether a particular act, the treatment of workers or their working conditions within any of the company’s supply chains constitutes any of the various forms of modern slavery, please report it. You can also contact the government’s Modern Slavery Helpline on 0800 0121 700 for further information and guidance on modern slavery.

Humane Design encourages openness and supports anyone who raises genuine concerns in good faith under this policy, even if mistaken. The company is committed to ensuring no one suffers any detrimental treatment or victimisation due to reporting in good faith their suspicion that modern slavery may be occurring in any part of its business or supply chains.

Training and communication#

Regular training on this policy and on the risk that the business faces from modern slavery in its supply chains will be provided to employees as necessary so that they know how to identify exploitation and modern slavery and how to report suspected cases.

The company’s zero tolerance approach to modern slavery must be communicated to all suppliers, contractors and other business partners when entering new or renewed contracts.

Breach of the policy#

Any employee who breaches this policy will face disciplinary action, up to and including summary dismissal for gross misconduct.

Humane Design may terminate its commercial relationship with suppliers, contractors and other business partners if they breach this policy and/or are found to have been involved in modern slavery.