Modern Slavery Statement for Tree Surgeons Sevensisters

Tree Surgeons Sevensisters is committed to conducting every part of its operations with integrity, transparency, and respect for human rights. This modern slavery statement sets out the steps we take to prevent slavery, human trafficking, forced labour, and exploitation within our business and supply chains. We recognise that zero tolerance is essential, and we expect the same standard from everyone who works with us. Our approach is built on prevention, vigilance, and accountability, with particular attention to the seasonal, subcontracted, and material supply arrangements common in arboricultural work.

We acknowledge that the tree surgery sector may involve varied labour sources, equipment suppliers, waste handlers, and transportation providers. For that reason, Tree Surgeons Sevensisters uses a risk-based approach to monitor potential vulnerabilities. We are committed to ensuring that all workers are treated fairly, paid appropriately, and able to work freely without coercion, threats, or deception. Our policies are designed to safeguard dignity at work and to support ethical business relationships across all levels of operations.

To help achieve this, we require suppliers and contractors to confirm compliance with applicable labour laws and to uphold our standards on ethical conduct. This applies to every stage of procurement, from sourcing materials to hiring specialist subcontractors. We assess suppliers before engagement and continue to monitor them throughout the relationship. Where concerns arise, we investigate promptly and may suspend or end the arrangement if a supplier fails to address risks responsibly.

Our Zero-Tolerance Policy

We maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward all forms of modern slavery. No employee, agency worker, contractor, or supplier is permitted to engage in practices that exploit vulnerability or restrict freedom. This includes withholding identity documents, imposing unlawful deductions, using deceptive recruitment methods, or creating conditions of debt bondage. Any breach of this principle is treated as a serious matter and may lead to disciplinary action, contract termination, or reporting to the appropriate authorities.

Training and awareness are important parts of this policy. Managers and those involved in recruitment, purchasing, and site operations are expected to remain alert to warning signs such as unusual control over workers, poor living conditions, reluctance to speak freely, or inconsistent employment records. By encouraging awareness across Tree Surgeons Sevensisters, we strengthen our ability to identify and respond to risk early. Our commitment applies equally to permanent staff and temporary labour used on tree surgery projects.

We also recognise that ethical practice must be visible in everyday decisions. That is why we include modern slavery considerations in supplier selection, contract terms, and periodic reviews. Tree surgery Sevensisters will not knowingly work with organisations that ignore labour rights or conceal exploitative practices. Our responsibility extends beyond compliance; it reflects our values as a business that depends on trust, skill, and safe working relationships.

Supplier Audits and Due Diligence

Supplier audits are a key part of our safeguarding framework. We review selected suppliers based on risk factors such as country of origin, labour model, type of service, and previous compliance history. Audits may include document checks, worker verification, employment policy reviews, and assessments of subcontracting arrangements. Where necessary, we seek evidence that workers are recruited voluntarily and that pay, hours, and accommodation meet legal and ethical standards.

Audit findings are recorded and followed up with corrective actions where needed. If a supplier cannot demonstrate improvement, Tree Surgeons Sevensisters will reconsider the relationship. We also encourage suppliers to adopt similar safeguards in their own networks so that ethical expectations continue beyond our direct contracts. This layered approach helps reduce the risk of exploitation in the wider supply chain and reinforces responsible procurement across the tree surgery industry.

In addition to scheduled checks, we may carry out ad hoc reviews where concerns are raised or when new suppliers are introduced. These reviews help ensure our standards remain effective and proportionate to changing risks. We believe that robust monitoring is not a one-time exercise but an ongoing responsibility that supports modern slavery prevention at every stage of operations.

Reporting, Review, and Continuous Improvement

We provide clear reporting channels so that workers and partners can raise concerns without fear of retaliation. Reports may be made through management, human resources, or designated internal safeguarding processes, and all concerns are handled confidentially where possible. Any allegation of exploitation is taken seriously, investigated promptly, and escalated when required. Protecting those who speak up is essential to effective prevention.

Tree Surgeons Sevensisters is committed to an annual review of this statement and of the controls that support it. Each year we examine incidents, audit results, supplier performance, and any emerging risks in order to improve our response. This review allows us to update our procedures, strengthen training, and refine due diligence so that our approach remains practical and effective.

Through these measures, Tree Surgeons Sevensisters continues to uphold a responsible, ethical, and lawful business model. We believe that every worker deserves safety, freedom, and fair treatment, and we will continue to challenge any practice that falls short of these principles. Our commitment to preventing modern slavery remains central to how we operate now and in the future.