ETHICAL TRADING POLICY
Ethical Trading Policy
The school wear industry is highly labour intensive. It is our policy to ensure that workers are treated with dignity, safety and respect by all our suppliers. This does not just include checking that local standards and laws of each country are observed, but also ensuring that suppliers follow our own guidelines.
These cover:
· Environment and Health & Safety – comply with all applicable laws and regulations, have an environmental management plan and procedures for notifying local authorities in case of accidental discharge or other environmental emergency
· Human Rights – comply with all applicable laws and regulations
· Working Hours – in compliance with all applicable laws, minimise overtime to ensure humane working conditions
· Wages – at least minimum legal wage or wage meeting local industry standards (whichever is greater)
· Working Conditions – maintenance of a clean, safe, healthy, dignified and respectful environment, comply with all applicable laws and regulations, no usage of physical or psychological punishment
· No Child Labour – minimum legal age requirement or at least 16 years old (whichever is greater); comply with child labour laws, encouragement of lawful apprenticeship schemes
· No Forced Labour – including prison labour, debt bondage or forced labour by governments, no requirement of any worker to work against their will
· No Discrimination in recruitment or pay on grounds of race, colour, gender, sexuality, nationality, religion, disability, age, maternity or marital status
We will ensure that our suppliers do not use any form of exploitation and maintain a safe and healthy working environment for their employees.
We will work closely with our suppliers to monitor standards and build and maintain trust.
We will not compromise these standards to accommodate economic pressures, such as increased distribution costs or costs of raw materials but will work with our suppliers to ensure an acceptable resolution to every obstacle.
Bribery Policy
We are committed to applying the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct. All employees and suppliers are responsible for maintaining our reputation and for conducting business honestly and professionally.
We will ensure that employees and suppliers are aware of this policy and of the Bribery Act 2011.
No employee or supplier shall offer, give, request or accept a bribe (financial or other) for any purpose. This includes payment, gifts, hospitality or any other advantage. Bribery or fraud by any employee or supplier will be treated as a serious offence resulting in disciplinary or legal action.
Signed: David Corderoy