Modern Slavery Act
Find out more
Modern slavery is a crime resulting in an abhorrent abuse of the human rights of vulnerable workers. It can take various forms, such as slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking.
GW has a zero tolerance approach to modern slavery and is committed to acting ethically and with integrity and transparency in all of its business dealings and relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure that modern slavery and human trafficking are not taking place anywhere within its own business consistent with its obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
GW also expects the same high standards from all of its suppliers, contractors and other business partners and, as part of its contracting processes, it includes specific prohibitions against the use of modern slavery, and expects that its suppliers will in turn hold their own suppliers to the same standards.
Identifying potential victims of modern slavery can be a challenge because the crime can manifest itself in many different ways. There is a spectrum of abuse and it is not always clear at what point, for example, poor working practices and lack of health and safety awareness have become instances of human trafficking, slavery or forced labour in a work environment.
In addition, some suppliers may go to great lengths to hide the fact that they are using slave labour. However, GW accepts that it has a responsibility through its due diligence processes to ensure that workers are not being exploited, that they are safe and that relevant employment, health and safety and human rights laws and standards are being adhered to, including freedom of movement and communications.
The board of directors has overall responsibility for ensuring that this policy complies with the Company's legal and ethical obligations.
The prevention, detection and reporting of modern slavery in any part of the Company's business or supply chains, whether in the UK or abroad, is the responsibility of all those working for the Company or under the Company's control. You are required to avoid any activity that might lead to a breach of this policy.
If you believe or suspect a breach of or conflict with this policy has occurred or may occur, you must notify a company director who will then contact the government's Modern Slavery Helpline on 0800 0121 700 should additional information and guidance on modern slavery be required.
You are encouraged to raise concerns about any issue or suspicion of modern slavery in any part of the Company's business or supply chains as soon as possible. If you are unsure about whether a particular act, the treatment of workers or their working conditions within any of the Company's supply chains constitutes any of the various forms of modern slavery, please raise it with a director of the company.
Any employee who breaches this policy will face disciplinary action, up to and including summary dismissal for gross misconduct.
The Company may terminate its commercial relationship with suppliers, contractors and other business partners if they breach this policy and/or are found to have been involved in modern slavery.