Modern Slavery Act
These annual statements are made pursuant to s.54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and set out the steps that emh group (consisting of emh group, emh homes, emh care & support, and Midlands Rural Housing) have taken and continue to take to ensure that modern slavery or human trafficking is not taking place within our business or supply chain.
emh group Anti-Slavery Policy
1. Introduction
Modern slavery encompasses slavery, servitude, human trafficking and forced labour. This policy explains emh group’s approach to modern slavery and sets out what you should do if you believe that any form of modern slavery is taking place within our business or supply chain. This policy applies to all individuals working for emh group in any form, including agency workers, volunteers or contractors.
2. Our policy
emh group has a zero tolerance approach to any form of modern slavery. We are committed to acting ethically and with integrity and transparency in all business dealings and to putting effective systems and controls in place to safeguard against any form of modern slavery taking place within the business or our supply chain. We accept that we have a responsibility to ensure, through our due diligence processes and so far as is possible, 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 communication. If we believe that these rules are not being adhered to, we will notify the relevant authorities.
The prevention, detection and reporting of modern slavery in any part of emh group’s business or supply chain, whether in the UK or abroad, is the responsibility of everyone working for emh group. You must avoid any activity that may lead to a breach of this policy and should report any concerns immediately under the reporting procedure below.
3. The procedure to follow
If you believe or suspect that a breach of this policy has occurred, is occurring, or may be about to occur, you must report it either by speaking to your manager or by following the whistleblowing policy. You should raise any concerns that you have as soon as possible, provided that it is safe to do so. If you are unsure about whether a particular act, the treatment of workers, or their working conditions constitutes modern slavery, please raise it with your line manager. You can also call the Modern Slavery Helpline for advice and guidance on 0800 0121 700.
emh group encourages openness and will support anyone who raises genuine concerns in good faith under this policy, even if they turn out to be mistaken. You will not suffer any detrimental treatment as a result of reporting in good faith a suspicion that modern slavery is taking place in any part of the business or our supply chain.
4. Training and Reporting
Training on the risk our business faces from modern slavery are provided to appropriate staff and regular information bulletins are provided to staff.
Incidents of modern slavery s are reported quarterly to our subsidiary Boards as part of the operational safeguarding update.
5. Compliance
In addition to the above, as part of our contract with suppliers, we require that they confirm to us that:
- They have taken steps to eradicate modern slavery within their business.
- They hold their own suppliers to account over modern slavery.
- (For UK based suppliers) They pay their employees at least the national minimum wage / national living wage (as appropriate).
- (For international suppliers) They pay their employees any prevailing minimum wage applicable within their country of operations
- We may terminate the contract at any time should any instances of modern slavery come to light.
Nominated Officer Responsible: Executive Director Corporate Services