House Clearance Merton Modern Slavery Commitment

House Clearance Merton is firmly committed to conducting all aspects of our business in an ethical, responsible and transparent manner. This Modern Slavery Statement sets out the steps we take to identify, prevent and address modern slavery and human trafficking risks within our operations and supply chains. We recognise our responsibility to respect and uphold human rights and we expect the same high standards from everyone we work with.

Our Zero-Tolerance Approach

We operate a zero-tolerance policy towards modern slavery, forced labour, servitude and human trafficking in any form. This stance applies to all aspects of our activities, including the collection, transport, sorting, resale and disposal of household items. No commercial objective, cost saving or operational pressure justifies practices that compromise the dignity, safety or freedom of any individual.

All directors, managers, employees, contractors and temporary staff are required to uphold this commitment. Any action or omission that facilitates, tolerates or ignores suspected modern slavery is treated as a serious breach of our standards and may result in disciplinary or contractual action.

Our Operations and Supply Chain

House Clearance Merton provides house clearance and related services, working with a range of suppliers and partners including waste management facilities, recycling centres, transport providers, subcontracted labour, equipment suppliers and resale outlets. We recognise that risks of labour exploitation can arise at any stage in this chain, particularly where lower-skilled or temporary work is involved.

We seek to build long-term relationships with reputable suppliers who share our ethical values. We expect all suppliers to comply with applicable labour, employment and human rights laws and to maintain safe and fair working conditions for all workers engaged in their operations.

Supplier Standards and Audits

We communicate our zero-tolerance stance on modern slavery to suppliers at the outset of our relationship and reinforce it through ongoing engagement. Our supplier expectations include the prohibition of forced, bonded or involuntary labour, the prohibition of child labour, fair wages and working hours in line with legal requirements, and safe and hygienic working environments.

Where appropriate, we conduct due diligence checks and request evidence of compliance, such as policies, risk assessments and staffing arrangements. We reserve the right to carry out audits or site visits to review working conditions and confirm adherence to our standards. Any supplier found to be involved in modern slavery, or unwilling to remedy serious concerns, may have their contract suspended or terminated.

Reporting Concerns and Whistleblowing

We encourage a culture in which concerns about modern slavery or labour exploitation can be raised without fear of retaliation. Employees, contractors, suppliers and other stakeholders are urged to report any suspicion or evidence of coercion, trafficking, unsafe conditions, withholding of documents, restriction of movement, or any other indicator of modern slavery.

Concerns can be reported directly to management, through existing internal reporting lines, or to a designated senior contact responsible for ethics and compliance. All reports are treated seriously, handled sensitively and, where possible, confidentially. We will investigate concerns promptly and take appropriate action, which may include notifying relevant authorities and supporting affected individuals.

Training and Awareness

We are committed to increasing awareness of modern slavery risks among our staff. As our business grows and evolves, we will provide training and guidance so that employees understand the signs of exploitation, know how to respond to concerns, and appreciate their role in maintaining high ethical standards. Managers and staff involved in procurement and supplier management receive particular focus, as they are well placed to identify and challenge potential risks.

Monitoring, Governance and Annual Review

Responsibility for overseeing our approach to modern slavery rests with senior management, who ensure that this statement is implemented across the business. We keep our processes under regular review to reflect changes in our operations, regulatory requirements and best practice. This Modern Slavery Statement is reviewed at least once a year and updated where necessary to strengthen our controls and clarify responsibilities.

As part of this annual review, we assess the effectiveness of our measures, consider any incidents or concerns raised, and evaluate feedback from employees and suppliers. We remain committed to continuous improvement and to working collaboratively with partners, regulators and industry bodies to combat modern slavery and protect the rights and welfare of all workers connected to House Clearance Merton.