Anti-Slavery and Human Trafficking

The purpose of this policy is to:

(a)set out our responsibilities, and of those working for and on our behalf, in observing and upholding our position on modern slavery and human trafficking; and

(b)provide information to those working for and on our behalf on how to identify and report concerns regarding modern slavery and human trafficking.

The policy covers all Thurston Group and suppliers and end users.

This policy applies to all persons working for us or on our behalf in any capacity, including employees at all levels, directors, officers, agency workers, seconded workers, volunteers, interns, agents, contractors, external consultants, third-party representatives and business partners.

This policy does not form part of any employee’s contract of employment, and we may amend it at any time.

Our commitment

3.1 Modern slavery is a crime and a violation of fundamental human rights. It takes various forms, such as slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour and human trafficking, all of which have in common the deprivation of a person’s liberty by another in order to exploit them for personal or commercial gain. In accordance with the Modern Day Slavery Act 2015 Thurston is committed to a zero tolerance approach to forced labour or child labour otherwise known as slavery and human trafficking. We are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in our own business or in any of our supply chains.

3.2 We are also committed to ensuring there is transparency in our own business and in our approach to tackling modern slavery throughout our supply chains, consistent with our disclosure obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2015. We expect the same high standards from all of our contractors, suppliers and other business partners and, as part of our contracting processes, we include specific prohibitions against the use of forced, compulsory or trafficked labour, or anyone held in slavery or servitude, whether adults or children, and we expect that our suppliers will hold their own suppliers to the same high standards.

3.3 As a manufacturer that sources products from a large number of suppliers, both in the UK, and China, we recognise that there is a risk, however small, that instances of slavery and human trafficking could occur within our supply chain. However, we support the promotion of ethical business practices and policies to protect workers from any kind of abuse or exploitation in relation to our business.

3.4 We source and import the vast majority of products from the UK and China. Items sourced by our purchasing department are mainly machine manufactured goods, as opposed to handmade products that require a high degree of labour and hand tooling, therefore, the risk of slavery and human trafficking in the supply chain is low.

3.5 We will make all relevant employees aware of the risks of slavery and human trafficking occurring in our supply chains, and all of our employees within the purchasing department and stores must understand and sign the business’s Ethical Trading Policy.  

3.6We require all suppliers to comply with this policy before we will enter into any contractual arrangement with them.  We must now have confirmation of anti-slavery and human trafficking compliance with every supplier that we do business with.  

3.7 Compliance with Thurston Group Ltd.’s Ethical Trading Policy and Anti Bribery and Corruption Policy  is a condition of doing business with us. If we are aware of any instances where a supplier has a slavery or human trafficking issue, or a supplier fails to provide us with the requisite assurances, we will not do business with them.

3.8 Training on this policy, and on the risk our business faces from modern slavery in its supply chains, forms part of the induction process for all individuals who work for us, and regular training will be provided as necessary.

3.9 Our zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery in our business and supply chains must be communicated to all suppliers, contractors and business partners at the outset of our business relationship with them and reinforced as appropriate on an ongoing basis.

Your responsibilities

3.10 You must ensure that you read, understand and comply with this policy.

3.11 The prevention, detection and reporting of modern slavery in any part of our business or supply chains is the responsibility of all those working for us or under our control. You are required to avoid any activity that might lead to, or suggest, a breach of this policy.

3.12 You must notify the HR Department as soon as possible if you believe or suspect that a breach of this policy has occurred, or may occur in the future.

3.13 You are encouraged to raise concerns about any issue or suspicion of modern slavery in any parts of our business or supply chains of any supplier tier at the earliest possible stage.

3.14 If you believe or suspect that a breach of this policy has occurred or that it may occur you must HR Department as soon as possible.

3.15 If you are unsure about whether a particular act, the treatment of workers more generally, or their working conditions within any tier of our supply chains constitutes any of the various forms of modern slavery, raise it HR Department.

3.16 We aim to encourage openness and will support anyone who raises genuine concerns in good faith under this policy, even if they turn out to be mistaken. We are committed to ensuring no one suffers any detrimental treatment as a result of reporting in good faith their suspicion that modern slavery of whatever form is or may be taking place in any part of our own business or in any of our supply chains. Detrimental treatment includes dismissal, disciplinary action, threats or other unfavourable treatment connected with raising a concern. If you believe that you have suffered any such treatment, you should inform the HR Department immediately. If the matter is not remedied, and you are an employee, you should raise it formally using our Grievance Procedure.

Breaches of this policy

3.17 In the event of any suspected failure by a supplier to comply with our Ethical Trading Policy, Thurston Group Ltd will investigate. In the event of a breach of this policy, we will review the relationship with the supplier and take the appropriate remedial action.

3.18 Any employee who breaches this policy will face disciplinary action, which could result in dismissal for misconduct or gross misconduct.

This statement is made under section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 has been approved by Thurston Group Ltd Board of Directors and will be reviewed annually.

Created by: HR Department

Date Created: 18^th April 2019

To Review:  10th May 2025