Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement
This Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement sets out the steps taken by Cleaners Edgware to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in our operations and supply chains. We recognise our responsibility to uphold human rights, ensure fair working conditions, and promote ethical practices throughout our cleaning services and related activities.
Cleaners Edgware operates within the professional cleaning sector, engaging staff and suppliers to deliver high quality cleaning services. We understand that our industry can be vulnerable to labour exploitation, and we are committed to identifying, preventing, and addressing any risk of modern slavery or human trafficking connected to our business.
Our Zero-Tolerance Approach
Cleaners Edgware has a clear and absolute zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and human trafficking. We do not tolerate any form of forced labour, servitude, debt bondage, child labour, or exploitation in our operations or in those of our suppliers and partners.
All managers, employees, contractors, and suppliers are expected to act with integrity and to uphold our commitment to ethical and lawful employment practices. Any breach or suspected breach of this commitment is treated with the utmost seriousness and may result in the termination of employment or commercial relationships, and, where appropriate, notification to the relevant authorities.
Policies and Governance
Our stance on modern slavery is supported by internal policies that promote fair recruitment, equal opportunities, and safe working environments. These policies define minimum standards for pay, working hours, and conditions of work, and prohibit any form of intimidation, harassment, or abuse.
Responsibility for overseeing our modern slavery commitments sits with senior management, who review the effectiveness of our measures and ensure that modern slavery considerations are integrated into operational decision-making and supplier selection.
Supply Chain Standards and Audits
Cleaners Edgware expects all suppliers, subcontractors, and business partners to share our commitment to combating modern slavery. We require that they comply with all relevant labour, employment, and human rights legislation and maintain transparent employment practices.
We conduct proportionate checks and audits of key suppliers, focusing on those operating in higher-risk areas or providing labour-related services. These audits may include reviewing documentation on recruitment processes, pay and working conditions, worker identification and right-to-work records, and grievance mechanisms. Where concerns are identified, suppliers must implement corrective actions within agreed timeframes. Persistent non-compliance or refusal to cooperate with our standards may result in contract termination.
Employee Awareness and Reporting Channels
We aim to foster a culture where concerns about modern slavery, exploitation, or unethical conduct can be raised without fear of retaliation. All workers, including temporary and agency staff, are informed of our zero-tolerance stance and of the channels available for raising concerns.
Concerns can be reported internally to line managers or senior management. Individuals may raise issues confidentially, and all reports are treated seriously and investigated promptly. Where necessary, matters are escalated to external agencies or authorities. We ensure that no one who raises a concern in good faith suffers any form of detrimental treatment for speaking up.
Risk Assessment and Continuous Improvement
We regularly assess the risk of modern slavery and human trafficking within our operations and supply chains. This includes considering factors such as the type of services provided, the locations in which we operate, and the nature of our supply relationships. Findings from these assessments inform our compliance activities, training needs, and the focus of our supplier audits.
We are committed to improving our practices over time, including enhancing due diligence processes, strengthening supplier requirements, and deepening our understanding of modern slavery risks relevant to the cleaning sector.
Training and Awareness
Cleaners Edgware provides appropriate information and guidance to staff involved in recruitment, procurement, and supplier management to help them understand the signs of modern slavery and human trafficking and how to respond. We encourage ongoing awareness so that all team members remain alert to potential risks and know how to act if they have concerns.
Annual Review of This Statement
This Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement is reviewed annually to ensure it remains accurate, relevant, and effective. As part of the review, we consider any incidents reported, audit findings, changes in legislation, and evolving best practice in combating modern slavery.
Following each annual review, we will update this statement as needed to reflect improvements in our policies, procedures, and controls. Cleaners Edgware remains fully committed to driving continuous improvement in our efforts to prevent and eradicate modern slavery and human trafficking from our business and supply chains.