Modern Slavery Act Policy
Volante Limited and subsidiary companies recognise their responsibilities according to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (the “Act”). This statement sets out the measures taken to prevent acts of modern slavery and human trafficking within its business and supply chains.
Volante Limited has a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and human trafficking, and this is part of our broader commitment to conduct our business ethically and lawfully.
Out Business and Supply Chain
Volante Limited is a significant distributor of notable commercial, contract, and consumer flooring brands. It employs over 60 staff and has a global reputation for quality products, service, and after-sales support.
Volante Limited’s supply chain includes sourcing, critical suppliers of finished products, and other third-party goods and services providers required to operate our business. We work with a core of well-established and reputable suppliers with whom we have developed long-term business relationships.
Our Policy on Slavery and Human Trafficking
We will never knowingly support or deal with a business involved in slavery or human trafficking. To ensure that we are conducting business in an ethical, lawful, and transparent manner, we have several policies in place which we adhere to and apply, including:
The Whistleblowing policy encourages employees and others to report any suspicions they may have relating to slavery or human trafficking issues without fear of victimisation, subsequent discrimination, reprisal, disadvantage, or dismissal. If found, any incidents reported will be thoroughly investigated and acted upon.
The Recruitment Policy includes confirming eligibility to work in the country of employment and ensuring everyone employed is of legal working age.
There is an undertaking to deal only with those suppliers who share and uphold the same principles as Volante Limited and who can demonstrate that they have a long-term commitment to ensuring that slavery and human trafficking do not exist in their supply chains.
Due Diligence
Our most significant risk of exposure to modern slavery is in product supply chains. Volante Limited seeks competitive prices for goods and services; however, it is committed to ensuring that suppliers have not infringed on human rights and have adhered to the highest standards of ethics.
To mitigate the exposure to modern slavery, all suppliers’ factories and sites are subject to random diligence checks in the form of audits conducted by or on behalf of Volante Limited. Where it is impossible to attend physically, meetings are held frequently digitally with suppliers worldwide.
In furthering our commitment to taking a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and human trafficking, we require our existing suppliers on an ongoing basis to make positive written affirmations regularly that:
- they do not; and,
- their direct supply chain does not endorse, enable, or facilitate human trafficking or slavery within their business.
This requirement has been incorporated into the supplier procurement process.
Volante Limited’s standard terms and conditions for suppliers include an express obligation to comply with applicable anti-slavery and anti-human trafficking legislation.
Staff are trained to recognise and respond to indicators of human rights abuses.
Our Performance Indicators
We use the following key performance indicators to measure how effective we have been in ensuring that slavery and human trafficking are not taking place in our business or supply chain:
- The internal and external audit process.
- The monitoring of Human Resources and payroll systems.
- Direct communication and written affirmations with our suppliers ensure understanding and compliance with our expectations.
Consequences
We will continue to inform our suppliers that Volante Limited operates a zero-tolerance to human trafficking and slavery, and we expect these standards to be respected and implemented at their sites. If an existing supplier or a potential new supplier fails to cooperate with our requests, or we find evidence of human trafficking and slavery in our supply chain, we will immediately seek to terminate our relationship with the relevant supplier.
Approval
This statement is made according to section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and has been approved by the Board of Directors, who will review and update it annually as appropriate.
Name: | David Evans |
Position: | Managing Director 09th September 2024 |