Modern Slavery Statement — Garden Maintenance Shortlands

Garden Maintenance Shortlands is committed to preventing any form of modern slavery and human trafficking in our operations and supply chains. This statement sets out the steps we take to ensure ethical labour practices across our horticultural services in Shortlands. We operate a zero-tolerance policy towards forced labour, and our leadership endorses strong measures to identify, assess and address risks relating to exploitation and coercion.

We provide training for our teams involved in Shortlands garden maintenance and related garden care Shortlands activities so staff can recognise indicators of modern slavery. Our workforce receives clear expectations about working conditions, hours, pay and the right to leave employment freely. We use regular briefings and toolbox talks to reinforce that no form of trafficking or exploitative practice will be tolerated and that concerns are taken seriously.

Our supplier management for Shortlands garden services includes pre-qualification checks and contractual clauses that require compliance with labour standards. We insist that all contractors, sub-contractors and temporary labour providers adhere to our policies and the same principles we apply internally. Where risks are identified, we implement corrective action plans and, where necessary, terminate relationships with suppliers who fail to meet our expectations.

We carry out regular supplier audits tailored to garden upkeep Shortlands operations. Audits combine documentation review, on-site inspections and worker interviews where appropriate. Findings are documented and followed up with mandatory remediation timelines. Our audit approach is proportionate to risk and designed to verify recruitment practices, working hours, wage payments and the absence of debt bondage or physical coercion.

Reporting channels and whistleblowing

We maintain multiple confidential reporting channels that enable employees and third parties to raise concerns about potential slavery or trafficking. Reports can be submitted anonymously or openly, and all reports are promptly investigated. We protect whistleblowers from retaliation and ensure that any reported issue triggers a formal review process, using external specialists where required to ensure independence and impartiality.

Our procurement policies embed anti-slavery expectations through standard contract clauses and supplier codes of conduct. Key controls include right-to-work checks, verification of recruitment fees and monitoring of subcontracting chains. We engage with suppliers through collaborative improvement plans and provide support for capacity building where necessary to align practices with our standards.

Risk assessment and continuous improvement

We maintain a risk register for Shortlands garden maintenance and related services, reviewing sectors, geographies and specific activities more likely to present modern slavery risk. Actions are prioritised based on severity and likelihood, and we take a pragmatic approach that balances prevention, detection and remediation.

Key measures include:

• Regular supplier audits and spot checks to detect non-compliance;
• Clear contractual obligations and termination rights for breaches;
• Training programmes for staff and managers in the recognition of exploitation;
• Confidential reporting mechanisms and prompt investigative procedures.

Annual review: We commit to an annual review of this Modern Slavery Statement and related policies for Shortlands garden care. The review assesses the effectiveness of our actions, updates risk assessments and outlines improvements for the coming year. Results of the review are considered by senior management, and any necessary changes to procedures, resource allocation or supplier engagement are implemented promptly to strengthen our response to modern slavery risks.