Anti-Slavery Policy

Modern slavery is a crime and violation of fundamental human rights. It takes various forms, such as 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.

Amherst Homes has a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery, and we committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in our business or in any of our supply chains.

We are also com mitted to ensuring that there is transparency in our own business and in our approach to tackling modern slavery throughout or supply chains, consistent with our disclosure obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

We expect the same high standards from all our contractors, suppliers and other business partners, and as part of our contracting processes, in the coming year we will 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 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 an employee’s contract of employment, and we may amend it any time.

Responsibility for the policy

Amherst Homes Ltd has overall responsibility for ensuring this policy complies with our legal and ethical obligations, and that all those under our control comply with it.

Amherst Homes Ltd has primary and day-to-day responsibility for implementing this policy, monitoring its use and effectiveness, dealing with any queries about it, and auditing internal control systems and procedures to ensure they are effective in countering modern slavery.

Management 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 the issue of modern slavery in the supply chains.

You are invited to comment on this policy and suggest ways in which it might be improved. Comments, suggestions, and queries are encouraged and should be addressed to the CEO.

Compliance with the policy

You must ensure that 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 line manager OR a company Director 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 issues or suspicion of modern slavery in any parts of our business or supply chains of any supplier tier at the earliest stage possible. If you believe or suspect a breach of this policy has occurred or that it may occur, you must notify your line manager OR company Director OR report it in accordance with our Whistleblowing Policy as soon as possible.

You should note that where appropriate, and with the welfare and safety of local workers as a priority, we will give help and support and guidance to our suppliers to help them address coercive, abusive and exploitative work practises in their own business and supply chains.

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 chains constitutes any of the forms of modern slavery, raise it with your line manager OR company Director.

We aim to encourage openness and will support anyone who raises genuine concerns in good faith under this policy, even if it transpires that they are mistaken. We are committed to ensuring that no one suffers any detrimental treatments 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 business or in any part of our supply chains.

Detrimental treatment includes dismissal, disciplinary action, threats, or other unfavourable treatment connected with raising a concern.

If you believe that you have suffered any such treatment, you should inform your line manager immediately. If the matter is not remedied, and you are an employee, you should raise it formally using our Grievance Procedure, which can be found in the current employee handbook.

The modern (anti) slavery policy and statement is intended for business in all countries, especially the United Kingdom.

Communication & awareness of this policy

Training on this policy, and the risk our business faces from modern slavery in its supply chains, forms part of the induction process for all individuals who work for us, and updates will be provided using established methods of communication between the business and you. Our zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery must be communicated to all suppliers, contractors, and business partners at the outset of our business relationship with them and reinforced as appropriate thereafter.

Breaches of this policy

Any employee who breaches this policy will face disciplinary action, which could result in dismissal for misconduct or gross misconduct. We may terminate or relationship with other individuals and organisations working on our behalf if they breach this policy.

How to contact us

If you want to contact us to know more about to know more about the above information please contact us by post. Postal Address: 1^st Floor, Victoria House, 2 Church Street, Saffron Walden, Essex. CB10 1JW

If you wish to email us, please use reception@amhersthomes.co.uk

We will send you a response within 30 days of your request.

Amherst Homes Ltd

Registered in England, company number 8312709

Registered office address: Second Floor, Kestrel House, Falconry Court, Epping, Essex, CM16 5BD