Modern Slavery Statement for Surrey Cleaner

This Modern Slavery Statement sets out the steps Surrey Cleaner takes to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in our operations and supply chains. We are committed to conducting business in an ethical and responsible manner and to working only with partners who share our values. This statement covers our approach to risk assessment, due diligence, training, supplier management, and continuous improvement.

Our Commitment and Zero-Tolerance Policy

Surrey Cleaner has a clear and explicit zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of modern slavery and human trafficking. This includes forced labour, bonded labour, child labour, servitude, and any form of exploitation that deprives individuals of their liberty or fair reward for their work. We expect the same uncompromising stance from all employees, contractors, temporary staff, suppliers, and business partners.

We are committed to upholding all relevant legislation relating to modern slavery and human rights. Managers at all levels are responsible for ensuring that those reporting to them understand and comply with our policy and are aware of the need to remain vigilant to any warning signs of exploitation.

Our Business and Supply Chains

Surrey Cleaner provides professional cleaning services to commercial and residential customers. Our workforce includes directly employed staff and vetted subcontractors. Our supply chains primarily involve the sourcing of cleaning products, consumables, equipment, and associated support services such as maintenance and waste management.

We recognise that certain parts of the cleaning and facilities sector can be at higher risk of labour exploitation. We therefore adopt enhanced scrutiny over higher risk activities, particularly where work is low-skilled, temporary, or sub-contracted, or where goods are sourced from regions with weaker labour protections.

Supplier Standards and Audits

We require all suppliers and subcontractors to comply with our ethical standards and with applicable labour, health and safety, and human rights legislation. Our supplier onboarding process includes an assessment of their labour practices, policies, and capability to monitor their own supply chains.

Where appropriate, we carry out supplier audits to verify compliance with our expectations. These audits may include site visits, interviews with management, review of documentation, and, where feasible, engagement with workers. Any significant non-compliance identified during an audit requires a corrective action plan with clear timescales. Persistent or serious breaches, or a failure to implement corrective actions, may result in suspension or termination of the business relationship.

Due Diligence and Risk Assessment

We conduct proportionate due diligence on new suppliers and periodically review existing relationships to identify potential risks of modern slavery. Factors considered include the type of services provided, the geographical location of operations, reliance on agency labour, and past compliance history.

Internally, we verify the identity and right to work of all employees and aim to ensure that wages, working hours, and conditions comply with legal requirements and industry standards. We do not tolerate any fees being charged to workers for recruitment or job placement within our operations.

Reporting Channels and Whistleblowing

We encourage anyone working for or with Surrey Cleaner to report, without fear of retaliation, any concerns related to modern slavery or unethical labour practices. Concerns may be raised to a line manager or a senior manager. We also welcome reports from external stakeholders, including suppliers and customers, where they believe there may be a risk of exploitation linked to our business or supply chains.

All reports will be treated seriously and handled sensitively. Where appropriate, we will investigate allegations promptly and, if necessary, involve relevant authorities. We will protect, as far as reasonably possible, the identity of individuals who raise genuine concerns in good faith.

Training and Awareness

We provide training and guidance to relevant employees, particularly those involved in recruitment, procurement, and supplier management, to help them recognise indicators of modern slavery and understand the correct process for raising concerns. We also periodically remind staff of our zero-tolerance approach and the importance of ethical conduct.

Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement

Surrey Cleaner is committed to continually improving its approach to tackling modern slavery. We monitor the effectiveness of our controls through supplier audits, internal reviews, and feedback from staff and stakeholders. Lessons learned from incidents or near misses are used to strengthen our processes and training.

This Modern Slavery Statement is reviewed at least annually by the senior management team to ensure it remains current, effective, and aligned with evolving legal requirements and best practice. Any significant changes in our business operations or supply chains may lead to an earlier review. Following each review, updates will be communicated to employees and, where relevant, to our suppliers and customers.

By maintaining a robust zero-tolerance policy, enforcing supplier standards through audits, providing clear reporting channels, and undertaking an annual review, Surrey Cleaner aims to play a responsible role in preventing modern slavery in all aspects of our business.