Modern slavery policy: zero tolerance at MCH

01Policy statement

Modern slavery is a crime and a serious violation of fundamental human rights. It includes slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour and human trafficking, all of which involve exploiting a person for personal or commercial gain.

Chauffeur Service Network Ltd, trading as Manchester Chauffeur Hire (MCH), takes a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery. We are committed to acting ethically and with integrity, and to putting in place systems and controls designed to reduce the risk of modern slavery in our own business and our supply chains.

Openness about our operations, and about how we address modern slavery risks, is part of that commitment, in line with our legal and ethical obligations.

Every contractor, supplier and business partner is expected to meet the same standards. As a result, we seek to prohibit forced, compulsory or trafficked labour, and any person held in slavery or servitude, adult or child, within our commercial relationships and supply chain.

02Scope

This policy applies to everyone working for or on behalf of MCH in any capacity, including employees, directors, officers, agency workers, seconded workers, volunteers, interns, agents, contractors, consultants, third-party representatives and business partners.

This policy is not part of any employee’s contract of employment, and we may change it from time to time.

03Who is responsible

MCH is ultimately responsible for making sure this policy reflects our legal and ethical commitments and that people acting for the business understand the standards required.

MCH is responsible for putting this policy into practice day to day, checking how well it works, reviewing internal controls and answering questions about how it applies.

Managers at every level are responsible for promoting awareness of this policy, making sure those who report to them comply, and supporting an ongoing understanding of modern slavery risks where they are relevant.

We welcome feedback and suggestions for improving this policy, and they should go to the contact details below.

04Compliance

First, everyone working for MCH or under its authority is expected to read, understand and follow this policy.

Also, preventing, spotting and reporting modern slavery anywhere in our business or supply chains is a shared responsibility.

No one acting for or on behalf of MCH should do anything that could result in, contribute to, or suggest a breach of this policy.

Where appropriate, and always putting the welfare and safety of affected workers first, MCH may also support suppliers in dealing with coercive, abusive or exploitative labour practices found in their operations or supply chains.

05Raising concerns

Anyone who believes that a breach of this policy has happened, is happening or may happen should raise it as soon as possible with their line manager or a company director.

Concerns should be raised promptly about any suspected modern slavery issue in any part of MCH’s business or any tier of its supply chain.

If you are not sure whether an act, working practice or employment condition may amount to modern slavery, please still raise it, so that it can be looked at properly.

We want to encourage openness, and we will support anyone who raises a genuine concern in good faith, even if it turns out not to be substantiated.

MCH is committed to making sure no one suffers detrimental treatment for raising a genuine concern in good faith about modern slavery risks or suspected breaches of this policy.

Detrimental treatment may include dismissal, disciplinary action, threats, intimidation or other unfavourable treatment linked to raising a concern in good faith.

06Communication and awareness

Awareness of this policy and of the risk of modern slavery in supply chains should form part of induction for new employees where it is relevant to their role.

Furthermore, refresher information and policy updates may be shared through our normal company channels as appropriate.

Our zero-tolerance approach should be explained to suppliers, contractors and business partners at the start of a commercial relationship and reinforced where necessary.

07If the policy is breached

However, an employee who breaches this policy may face disciplinary action, which may include dismissal where the seriousness of the conduct justifies it.

MCH may suspend, review or end its relationship with any individual, supplier, contractor, representative or organisation acting for it where this policy is breached or where serious concerns arise.

08Contact

Comments, suggestions or questions about this policy should be sent to Manchester Chauffeur Hire using the details below.