This statement sets out that Astus Group Ltd (Astus) is committed to ensuring there is
transparency in our own business and in our approach to tackling modern slavery
throughout our supply chains, consistent with our disclosure obligations under the
Modern Slavery Act 2015.
Modern slavery is a crime and a 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.
Astus has a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery, and we are 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 own business or in any of our supply chains.
This statements 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 any employee’s contract of employment and we may
amend it at any time.
Responsibility for the policy
Astus has overall responsibility for ensuring this policy complies with our legal and ethical
obligations, and that all those under our control comply with it.
Astus 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.
Our Policies
We operate a number of internal policies to ensure that we are conducting business in
an ethical and transparent manner. All staff working for Astus are required to avoid any
activity that might lead to, or suggest, a breach of these policies and must notify their
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.
These include:
1. Anti-slavery policy. This policy sets out the organisation’s stance of modern slavery
and explains how employees can identify any instances of this and where they can
go for help.
2. Recruitment policy. We operate a robust recruitment policy, including conducting
eligibility to work in the UK (or any other territory) checks for all employees to
safeguard against human trafficking or individuals being forced to work against
their will.
3. Whistleblowing policy. We operate a whistleblowing policy so that all employees
know that they can raise concerns about how colleagues are being treated, or
practices within our business or supply chain, without fear or reprisals.
4. Code of business conduct. This code explains the manner in which we behave as
an organisation and how we expect our employees and suppliers to act.
Our Suppliers
Astus operates a supplier policy and maintains a preferred supplier list. We conduct due
diligence on all suppliers before allowing them to become a preferred supplier. This due
diligence includes an online search to ensure that particular organisation has never
been convicted of offenses related to modern slavery, along with checking the
modern slavery statement registry.
Our anti-slavery policy forms part of our contract with all suppliers and they are required
to confirm that no part of their business operations contradicts this policy.
In addition to the above, as part of our contract with suppliers, we require that they
confirm to us that:
1. They have taken steps to eradicate modern slavery within their business.
2. They hold their own suppliers to account over modern slavery.
3. We may terminate the contract at any time should any instances of modern
slavery come to light.
Training & awareness of this policy
Training on this policy, and on 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. We
regularly conduct training for our procurement/buying teams so that they understand
the signs of modern slavery and what to do if they suspect that it is taking place in our
supply chain.
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 our relationship with other individuals and organisations working on
our behalf if they breach this policy.
Approval of this statement
This statement was updated and approved by the Board of Directors on 6th July 2022.
