Modern Slavery Statement: Elephant and Castle Flowers

Introduction

At Elephant and Castle Flowers, we are dedicated to conducting our business ethically and with integrity. As a trusted florist in the heart of Elephant and Castle, serving local residents and businesses, we recognise our responsibility to prevent all forms of modern slavery and human trafficking within our organisation and our wider supply chain.

Zero Tolerance Approach

We operate a strict zero tolerance policy towards modern slavery, forced labour, servitude, and human trafficking. We expect the same high standards from all employees, contractors, suppliers, and business partners. Any breaches of this policy are taken extremely seriously and can result in the termination of business relationships and, where appropriate, referral to the relevant authorities.

Supplier Due Diligence

We are committed to ensuring that slavery and human trafficking do not take place at any point in our supply chain. To achieve this:

• We undertake due diligence before engaging with new suppliers, assessing their compliance with ethical labour standards.
• We seek assurance from our suppliers regarding their own measures to prevent modern slavery.
• We require our partners to act in accordance with applicable anti-slavery and human trafficking laws and will not hesitate to review or cease contracts with any supplier failing to meet these standards.

Staff Awareness and Training

It is essential that all our team members understand the issues surrounding modern slavery and their role in its prevention. We provide ongoing training to our staff, ensuring they are able to identify risk factors, recognise the signs of exploitation, and understand the procedures to follow if concerns arise. These sessions are reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current best practice and legal requirements.

Reporting Concerns and Whistleblowing

We actively encourage a culture of openness in our workplace. Team members, suppliers, and customers are encouraged to raise any concerns about modern slavery or unethical practices without fear of retaliation. We have clear internal reporting channels, allowing all concerns to be investigated swiftly and confidentially by appropriate senior management. Where criminal activity is suspected, we are fully prepared to involve law enforcement and cooperate with any subsequent investigation.

Annual Review and Continuous Improvement

This Modern Slavery Statement is reviewed annually to ensure its continued effectiveness and relevance. We are committed to ongoing improvement, adapting our procedures as necessary to address new risks or legislative developments. We monitor our practices regularly and reassess our supply chain relationships to ensure we uphold the highest ethical standards at all times.

Our Social Responsibility

As Elephant and Castle Flowers, our commitment to combating modern slavery is an integral part of our role in the community. We understand that by upholding stringent standards, we protect not only our employees but also the integrity of the supply chain, the trust of our customers, and the wider society we serve. This statement reflects the values we hold and the actions we take as a proud and responsible Elephant and Castle florist.