Human trafficking and anti-slavery policy

Human trafficking and slavery are indefensible violations of an individual’s basic human rights. Lichfields recognises that it has a moral and social responsibility to take a zero-tolerance approach to human trafficking and modern slavery in all its forms. We are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships and to implement and enforce effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in our business or supply chains.

 

We are not obliged to have an anti-slavery policy in place by law; however, we look to embed best practice in all our operations in line with our mission: to forge longstanding collaborative relationships, working with precision, honesty and dedication towards our clients’ goals.

 

We are a professional services business and work only in the United Kingdom. We do not consider there to be a high risk of slavery or human trafficking in any of our supply chains or those of our sub consultants.

 

We are an Accredited Living Wage employer. Everyone working at Lichfields, whether they are a permanent employee, intern or contracted cleaner, receives at least the real living wage.

 

Before we add a new sub-consultant to our approved list we ask whether they have and promote an anti-trafficking/ slavery policy which details their obligations and that of their supply chain in regards to the Modern Slavery Act 2015; and, if they use sub-contractors or suppliers of goods and services, whether they have processes in place to check whether these organisations have an anti-trafficking/slavery policy which is actively promoted and adhered to within their organisation.

 

Many of the sub-consultants we work with offer specialised services, some are small and won’t have a human trafficking or anti-slavery policy in place. The nominating senior director must be confident of the appropriate professional standing, experience and previous performance of the nominated consultant before nominating their addition to the approved sub-consultants list.

 

We encourage all our employees to report any concerns relating to unlawful conduct, malpractice, dangers to the public or the environment, and any other matter of a serious nature which includes any breaches of our human trafficking and anti-slavery policy, or in those of our supply chains.

 

Our human trafficking and anti-slavery policy is reviewed on a regular basis.