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Ethical Trading Policy

This Ethical Trading Policy has been developed to provide YOUR COMPANY NAME customers withassurance they are buying goods produced in a socially responsible manner, without exploitation andin acceptable working conditions.The Policy sets out the minimum standards that we apply andexpect from our direct suppliers.

As a responsible business YOUR COMPANY NAME complies with all applicable UK employment,health and safety and environmental legislation. In addition we have considered the Ethical TradingInitiatives guidelines and ensure:

1. Employment is freely chosen and employees are free to leave their employment

a. After giving reasonable notice in accordance with the employees contract ofemployment.

2. Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are respected

a. Workers have the right to join or form trade unions of their own choosing.b. YOUR COMPANY NAME adopts an open attitude towards the activities of trade unions

and their organisational activities.c. Workers representatives are not discriminated against and have access to carry out

their representative functions in the workplace.

3. Working conditions are safe and hygienic

a. A safe and hygienic working environment is provided.b. Adequate steps are taken to prevent accidents and injury to health.

c. Hazards are identified and controlled through risk assessment.d. Employees (including new and temporary) receive regular and recorded health and

safety training appropriate to their role.e. Access to clean toilet facilities, potable water and sanitary food storage facilities are

provided.f. Responsibility for health and safety is assigned to a senior management representative.g. Representatives of Employees Safety are employed and an active Health & Safety

Committee operates to consult on health and safety matters.

4. Child labour is not used

a. YOUR COMPANY NAME do not employee children under the age of 16 under anycircumstance.b. Children under the age of 16 on work placement or on a learning visit may only visit the

factory and warehouse work areas under the close supervision of a responsible YOURCOMPANY NAME chaperone.

c. Young persons under the age of 18 are not employed at night or in hazardousconditions and are closely supervised during their induction period.

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5. Living wages are paid

a. Wages and benefits paid for a standard working week are no less than nationalminimum wage.

b. All workers are provided with written and understandable information about theiremployment conditions and wages before they enter employment

c. All workers are provided with written and understandable information about theparticulars of their wages for the pay period concerned each time that they are paid.

d. The only deductions made to pay are mandatory income tax and national insurancecontributions and other government deductions and pension contributions as agreedbetween the employer and employee.

6. Working hours are not excessive

a. Working hours comply with national laws and industry standards.b. Workers shall not on a regular basis be required to work in excess of 48 hours per

week.c. Workers are provided with two days off for every 7-day period on average.d. Overtime is voluntary and is always compensated at a premium rate.

7. No discrimination is practiced

a. There is no discrimination in hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion,termination or retirement based on race, caste, national origin, religion, age, disability,gender, marital status, sexual orientation, union membership or political affiliation.

8. Regular employment is provided

a. To every extent possible work performed is on the basis of recognised employmentrelationship established through national law.

b. We do not endeavour to avoid our obligations to employees under employment lawthrough underhanded employment practices such as the use of labour-only contracting,sub-contracting, or home-working arrangements, or through apprenticeship schemesthat do not impart skills or provide regular employment, nor are any such obligationsavoided through the excessive use of fixed-term contracts of employment.

9. No harsh or inhumane treatment is allowed

a. Physical abuse or discipline, the threat of physical abuse, sexual or other harassmentand verbal abuse or other forms of intimidation is prohibited.

10. Immigration law and compliance

a. Only workers with a legal right to work in the UK are employed or used.b. All workers including Employment Agency staff are validated for their legal right to work

by reviewing original documentation (not photocopies) before they are allowed tocommence work.

c. Employment Agencies must only supply workers registered with them.d. YOUR COMPANY NAME choose to work with a small number of approved Employment

Agencies and monitor their compliance with this policy.e. Employment agencies that provide temporary labour must be registered under the

Gangmasters Licensing Act and carry out its duties in accordance with this.