MODERN SLAVERY POLICY STATEMENT 30/09/2020
This statement is made pursuant to s.54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and sets out the steps that the Bradford Hide Group has taken and is continuing to take to ensure that modern slavery or human trafficking is not taking place within our business or supply chain. This statement covers the activities of the Bradford Hide Group and relates to actions and activities during the financial year 1st April 2019 to 31st March 2020 Modern slavery encompasses slavery, servitude, human trafficking and forced labour. The Bradford Hide Group has a zero-tolerance approach to any form of modern slavery. We are committed to acting ethically and with integrity and transparency in all business dealings and to putting effective systems and controls in place to safeguard against any form of modern slavery taking place within the business or our supply chain.
Our business
The Bradford Hide Group is one of the largest suppliers of UK domestic cattle hides (ox/heifer and cow hides), calfskins lambskins and goatskins and we are committed to delivering the highest levels of customer service whilst protecting the environment and providing a safe and healthy workplace for our employees and others.
Our policies
We operate several internal policies to ensure that we are conducting business in an ethical and transparent manner. These include:
Anti-slavery policy. This policy sets out the organisation’s stance on modern slavery and explains how employees can identify any instances of this and where they can go for help.
Recruitment policy. We operate a robust recruitment policy, including conducting eligibility to work in the UK checks for all employees to safeguard against human trafficking or individuals being forced to work against their will.
Whistleblowing policy. We operate a whistleblowing policy so that all employees know that they can raise concerns about how colleagues are being treated, or practices within our business or supply chain, without fear of reprisals.
Code of business conduct. This code explains the manner in which we behave as an organisation and how we expect our employees and suppliers to act.
Our suppliers
The Bradford Hide Group operates a supplier policy and maintains a preferred supplier list. We conduct due diligence on all suppliers before allowing them to become a preferred supplier. This due diligence includes an online search to ensure that a particular organisation has never been convicted of offenses relating to modern slavery and on-site audits which include a review of working conditions. Our anti-slavery policy forms part of our contract with all suppliers and they are required to confirm that no part of their business operations contradicts this policy.
In addition to the above, as part of our contract with suppliers, we require that they confirm to us that:
They have taken steps to eradicate modern slavery within their business
They hold their own suppliers to account over modern slavery
For UK based suppliers: They pay their employees at least the national minimum wage / national living wage (as appropriate)
We may terminate the contract at any time should any instances of modern slavery come to light.
Training
We regularly conduct training to all our staff so that they understand the signs of modern slavery and what to do if they suspect that it is taking place within our supply chain.
Our performance indicators
We will know the effectiveness of the steps that we are taking to ensure that slavery and/or human trafficking is not taking place within our business or supply chain if:
No reports are received from employees, the public, or law enforcement agencies to indicate that modern slavery practices have been identified.
Approval for this statement
This statement and policy has been approved by the Bradford Hide Group Board of Directors. This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes our Group slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending 31st March 2020.