Modern Slavery Statement for Richmond Carpet Cleaners

This Modern Slavery Statement sets out the steps taken by Richmond Carpet Cleaners to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in our operations and supply chains. We recognise our responsibility to uphold the highest standards of integrity and to respect and protect the human rights of all individuals who work for or with us.

Our Zero-Tolerance Approach

Richmond Carpet Cleaners has a clear and absolute zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of modern slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour, and human trafficking. We will not knowingly work with any organisation or individual that engages in or condones such practices. We expect the same commitment from our employees, contractors, and suppliers, and we make it clear that any breach of this principle may result in termination of employment or business relationships and, where appropriate, referral to relevant authorities.

Our leadership team is responsible for ensuring that this zero-tolerance approach is embedded in our culture and decision-making. This includes incorporating modern slavery considerations into our commercial decisions, procurement processes, and operational practices.

Our Supply Chain and Supplier Standards

Our supply chain includes providers of cleaning equipment, cleaning solutions, personal protective equipment, vehicles, maintenance services, and business support services. We are committed to working only with suppliers that share our values and demonstrate a genuine commitment to ethical labour practices.

We communicate our expectations to new and existing suppliers and require them to comply with all applicable labour, employment, and human rights laws. Where possible, we seek written confirmation from suppliers that they do not engage in any form of modern slavery and that they have their own policies and controls in place to prevent it in their operations and supply chains.

Supplier Audits and Due Diligence

Richmond Carpet Cleaners conducts proportionate due diligence on key suppliers, particularly those that provide labour-intensive services or source goods from higher risk regions or sectors. This may include requesting information on their employment practices, policies, and training, as well as their own supply chain monitoring processes.

We reserve the right to carry out supplier audits, which may involve site visits, document reviews, and discussions with management and, where appropriate, workers. If we identify concerns or potential risks related to modern slavery, we will work collaboratively with the supplier on an improvement plan and set clear timelines for action. If a supplier is unwilling or unable to address serious concerns, we may suspend or end the business relationship.

Employee Awareness and Reporting Channels

All staff at Richmond Carpet Cleaners are expected to help identify and prevent modern slavery risks. We raise awareness of modern slavery indicators through internal communications and training appropriate to roles and responsibilities. Managers receive additional guidance on how to respond to concerns, including the need for sensitivity and confidentiality.

We maintain clear and accessible reporting channels for employees, contractors, and third parties who wish to raise concerns about potential modern slavery or unethical labour practices. Concerns can be raised to line managers, senior management, or through internal reporting mechanisms without fear of retaliation. We will investigate any reports promptly, fairly, and, where possible, confidentially, and we will take appropriate remedial action when issues are identified.

Ongoing Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

Modern slavery risks can evolve over time, and our response must also adapt. Richmond Carpet Cleaners is committed to continuous improvement in our approach. We review feedback from staff, learn from any incidents or near misses, and monitor changes in legislation and industry best practice to strengthen our measures.

We are working towards more structured risk assessments of our supply chain to prioritise higher risk areas for deeper engagement and auditing. Over time, we aim to extend our training, refine our due diligence processes, and enhance our documentation so that we have clear evidence of the steps we are taking.

Annual Review and Approval

This Modern Slavery Statement is reviewed at least annually by senior management to ensure it remains accurate, effective, and aligned with our values and legal obligations. As part of the review, we assess the effectiveness of our actions, consider any incidents or concerns that may have arisen, and identify opportunities to strengthen our approach.

The latest version of this statement reflects our commitment to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships and to implementing effective systems and controls to combat modern slavery and human trafficking. It has been approved by the management of Richmond Carpet Cleaners and will be updated as needed to reflect our ongoing efforts and progress.