INTRODUCTION
John Hutchings Service Ltd (and our trading trading style John Hutchings will hereafter be referred to as "we" or "our").
This statement sets out actions to understand how we identify all potential modern slavery risks related to our business and to put in place steps that are aimed at ensuring that there is no slavery or human trafficking in our own business and our supply chains. This statement relates to actions and activities during the financial year 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023.
As part of the consumer and professional supply of cleaning supplies and machinery/technology industry, we recognise that we have a responsibility to take a robust approach to slavery and human trafficking.
We are absolutely committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in all of our corporate activities, and to ensuring that our supply chains are also free from slavery and human trafficking.
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE AND SUPPLY CHAINS
We are a UK based provider of supplies, equipment and machinery for the cleaning of transport equipment, buildings and surfaces. Our range of products include cleaning supplies, equipment and machines for private households (Consumers) and cleaning supplies, equipment and machines for commercial, industrial and municipal operators (Professionals), as well as accessories, cleaning and maintenance products and spare parts.
COUNTRIES OF OPERATION AND SUPPLY
We are a solely UK based company and the following is the process by which our organisation assesses whether or not particular activities or countries are a high risk in relation to slavery or human trafficking:
- Our supplier audits are carried out annually and include the issue of quality as well as social, environmental and work safety standards.
- Our suppliers are obligated to adhere to our compliance rules; new suppliers must sign our code of conduct.
- Companies that apply for supplier status are not only required to sign the Code of Conduct and the Environmental Standard but also to answer a whole series of questions.
OUR CODE OF CONDUCT
These principles include:
- Respect for human rights
- The condemnation of child labour and forced labour and the rejection of corruption
- Other issues relate to the freedom of association
- Fair remuneration for employees as well as work and environmental protection. Fair wages are just as important as the workers’ rights to free speech and assembly and their freedom of association.
All suppliers must sign this code of conduct
RELEVANT POLICIES
We operate the following policies that describe its approach to the identification of modern slavery risks and steps to be taken to prevent slavery and human trafficking in its operations in the UK.
- Whistleblowing policy - The organisation encourages all its workers, customers and other business partners to report any concerns related to the direct activities, or the supply chains of the organisation. This includes any circumstances that may give rise to an enhanced risk of slavery or human trafficking. The organisation's whistleblowing procedure is designed to make it easy for workers to make disclosures, without fear of retaliation.
- Employee code of conduct - The organisation's code makes clear to employees the actions and behaviour expected of them when representing the organisation. The organisation strives to maintain the highest standards of employee conduct and ethical behaviour when operating abroad and managing its supply chain.
- Due diligence - The organisation undertakes due diligence when considering taking on new suppliers, and regularly reviews its existing suppliers.
- Training - John Hutchings Services Ltd modern slavery training that is available covers:-
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- Our business's purchasing practices, which influence supply chain conditions and which should therefore be designed to prevent purchases at unrealistically low prices, the use of labour engaged on unrealistically low wages or wages below a country's national minimum wage, or the provision of products by an unrealistic deadline;
- how to assess the risk of slavery and human trafficking in relation to various aspects of the business, including resources and support available;
- how to identify the signs of slavery and human trafficking;
- what initial steps should be taken if slavery or human trafficking is suspected;
- how to escalate potential slavery or human trafficking issues to the relevant parties within the organisation;
- what external help is available, for example through the Modern Slavery Helpline, Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and "Stronger together" initiative;
- what steps the organisation should take if suppliers or contractors do not implement anti-slavery policies in high-risk scenarios, including their removal from the organisation's supply chains.
- Awareness-raising programme
We have raised awareness of modern slavery issues by highlighting the importance of the Act and making our employees aware of the content and location of our Policy, including the external help that is available through the Modern Slavery Helpline.
BOARD APPROVAL
This statement has been approved by the organisation's board of directors, who will review and update it annually. A signed copy of this policy is available on request.