Modern Slavery Statement

Modern Slavery Statement for Man With a Van Stratford

Man With a Van Stratford is committed to conducting all aspects of its business in an ethical and responsible manner. This Modern Slavery Statement explains our approach to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking within our operations and supply chains. It covers our zero-tolerance policy, supplier standards and audits, reporting channels, and our approach to annual review and continuous improvement.

Our Zero-Tolerance Approach to Modern Slavery

We have a clear zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labour, child labour, and exploitation. This applies to every part of our business, including our own workforce and all external parties who provide goods or services to us. We expect everyone we work with to share this commitment and to act in accordance with applicable labour, employment, and human rights laws.

All directors, managers, employees, and contractors are required to act with integrity and to support our efforts to prevent and detect modern slavery. We will not knowingly engage with any individual or organisation involved in practices that are inconsistent with this stance. Where credible concerns arise, we will take immediate and appropriate action, which may include ending the business relationship.

Responsible Supply Chain Management and Supplier Audits

Our services often rely on third-party suppliers, including vehicle hire providers, equipment suppliers, and subcontracted labour for removals and logistics. We recognise that these relationships can create potential risks of labour exploitation if not managed carefully. To address this, we are committed to building transparent and ethical supply chains.

We aim to work only with suppliers who can demonstrate that they operate in a lawful, ethical, and socially responsible way. As part of our due diligence, we assess new suppliers against our standards on labour practices, worker welfare, and human rights. Where appropriate, we require confirmation that suppliers have their own policies and procedures in place to combat modern slavery and human trafficking.

We reserve the right to conduct audits or request evidence from suppliers to verify their compliance with our expectations. These audits may cover areas such as worker recruitment processes, right-to-work checks, working hours, pay arrangements, accommodation conditions, and grievance mechanisms. If a supplier is unable or unwilling to meet the standards we require, we will review and, if necessary, terminate the relationship.

Training, Awareness, and Reporting Channels

We recognise that raising awareness among our team is essential to preventing modern slavery. Managers and relevant employees are provided with guidance on identifying potential indicators of exploitation, such as unusual working patterns, signs of coercion, or reluctance to speak independently. We encourage all staff to remain alert to risks in our operations and supply chains.

Our culture is one in which concerns can be raised without fear of retaliation. Employees, contractors, and other stakeholders are encouraged to report any suspicions of modern slavery or unethical labour practices through our established internal reporting channels or directly to management. All reports are taken seriously and will be investigated promptly and sensitively. Where wrongdoing is identified, we will respond swiftly, take corrective action, and cooperate with relevant authorities as appropriate.

Ongoing Monitoring and Annual Review

Our approach to modern slavery prevention is a continuous process, not a one-off exercise. We monitor the effectiveness of our actions and seek opportunities to strengthen our controls and awareness. This includes reviewing our policies, supplier vetting procedures, and staff guidance on a regular basis.

This Modern Slavery Statement will be formally reviewed and updated at least once every year by the leadership of Man With a Van Stratford, or more frequently if there are significant changes in our operations or in relevant legislation. As part of this annual review, we will consider any reported incidents, audit findings, and feedback from staff and suppliers, with the aim of improving our practices and reducing the risk of modern slavery in all aspects of our business.

By publishing this statement, Man With a Van Stratford reaffirms its commitment to acting ethically, promoting fair treatment of workers, and contributing to the wider effort to eradicate modern slavery and human trafficking.