Information and policies
Modern Slavery is a crime and violation of fundamental human rights.
It takes various forms, including slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour and human trafficking, all of which have in common the deprivation of a person’s liberty by another in order to exploit them for personal or commercial gain.
Modern slavery policy
Elkins has a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and we are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships. We have implemented effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in our own business or in any of our supply chains.
We are also committed to ensuring there is transparency in our own business and in our approach to tackling modern slavery throughout our supply chains, consistent with our disclosure obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2015. We expect the same high standards of all our contractors, suppliers and other business partners. As part of our contracting processes, we include specific prohibitions against the use of forced, compulsory or trafficked labour, or anyone held in slavery or servitude, whether adults or children, and we expect that our suppliers will in turn, hold their own suppliers to the same high standards.
This policy applies to all persons working for us or on our behalf in any capacity, including employees at all levels, directors, officers, agency workers, seconded workers, volunteers, interns, agents, contractors, external consultants, third-party representatives and business partners.
This policy does not form part of any employee’s contract of employment, and we may amend at any time.
Responsibility
The Managing Surveyor, a director of the business, has overall responsibility for ensuring this policy complies with our legal and ethical obligations, and that all those under our control comply with it.
As main procurement agent for the sub-contractor base, the Managing Surveyor has primary and day-to-day responsibility for ensuring this policy is effectively communicated with third parties to the business. Additionally, they are responsible for any queries about it, and for auditing internal control systems and procedures to ensure they are effective in the control of countering modern slavery.
Line managers at all levels are responsible for ensuring those reporting to them understand and comply with this policy and are given adequate and regular training on it and issue of modern slavery in supply chains.
Any member of the Elkins team is able to comment and make suggestions on how the policy may be improved. Comments and suggestions are encouraged and should be addressed to the Managing Surveyor or the HR Manager.
Compliance
You must ensure you read, understand and comply with this policy. The prevention, detection and reporting of modern slavery in any part of our business or supply chains is the responsibility of all those working for us or under our control. You are required to avoid any activity that might lead to, or suggest, a breach of this policy.
You must notify your manager as soon as possible if you believe or suspect that a conflict with this policy has occurred or may occur in the future.
You are encouraged to raise concerns about any issue or suspicion of modern slavery in any parts of our business or supply chains of any supplier tier at the earliest possible stage. If you believe or suspect a breach of this policy has occurred or that it may occur, you must notify your manager or report it in accordance with our whistleblowing policy as soon as possible.
If you are unsure about whether a particular act, the treatment of workers more generally, or their working conditions within any tier of our supply chain constitutes any of the various forms of modern slavery, raise it with your manager, the Managing Surveyor or the HR Manager.
We aim to encourage openness and will support anyone who raises genuine concerns in good faith under this policy, even if they turn out to be mistaken. We are committed to ensuring no one suffers any detrimental treatment as a result of reporting in good faith, their suspicion that modern slavery of whatever form is or may be taking place in any part of our own business or in any of our supply chains. Detrimental treatment includes dismissal, disciplinary action, threats or other unfavourable treatment connected with raising a concern.
Communication and awareness
This policy is distributed to all employees, associates and subcontractors. A zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery must be communicated to all suppliers, contractors and business partners at the outset of the business relationship; it will be reinforced regularly thereafter.
Breaches of this policy will be dealt with in the appropriate manner. Any employee who fails to observe or breaches this policy will face disciplinary action; sanctions can include and be up to dismissal. We may terminate any business relationship with any third party if there is a known breach of this policy.
This policy will be updated in line with legislative change.
Living Wage Foundation
The real living wage is the only UK wage rate that is voluntarily paid by over 4,700 UK businesses who believe their staff deserve a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work. As a member of the Living Wage Foundation, Elkins pays the real living wage which is higher than the government minimum – we also make sure all our employees in London receive the London living wage. The latest rates are announced on Monday of the first week of November each year. We implement the rise as soon as possible and always within six months. All employees receive the new rate by 1st May the following year.
Contact
Elkins Construction is registered as A&E Elkins Ltd. Registered Office: A&E House, Unit 1a Industrial Trading Estate, Juno Way, London, SE14 5RW
Registered in England and Wales No.00846751
©2023 Copyright A&E Elkins Ltd