Ethical Trading Policy and Anti-Slavery Policy Statement

MARK LANE DESIGNS LTD: ETHICAL TRADING POLICY

The principles adopted by Mark Lane Designs Ltd in this policy document are based on the International accepted standards set out in the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Base Code of Labour Standards.

Mark Lane Designs Ltd will, as far as is reasonably practicable, ensure that they, and their suppliers and their sub-contractors, comply with theAnti-Slavery stated policy requirements.

1. Employment is freely chosen
There is no forced, bonded or involuntary prison labour. Workers are not required to leave deposits or their identity papers with their employer and are free to leave their employer after reasonable notice.

2.  Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are respected
An open attitude is adopted towards activities of trade unions and workers have the right to join or form trade unions of their own choosing. Collective bargaining is respected and worker’s representatives are allowed to carry out their representative function in the workplace.

3. Modern slavery and human trafficking is not tolerated
Modern slavery is not tolerated in any form within the organisation’s supply chain. Steps will be taken to assess and manage the risk of modern slavery and human trafficking where that risk exists.

4. Working conditions are safe and hygienic
A safe and hygienic working environment shall be provided. Adequate steps shall be taken to prevent accidents and injury to health arising out of, associated with, or occurring in the course of work. Access to clean toilet facilities, potable water and sanitary facilities for food storage shall be provided.

5. Child labour shall not be used
There shall be no recruitment of child labour. Companies shall develop or participate in programmes which provide for the transition of any child found to be performing child labour, to enable that child to attend and remain in quality education until no longer a child. Children and young persons under 18 years of age shall not be employed at night or in hazardous conditions or as a minimum meet Local National Legal Standards.

6. Living wages are paid 
Wages and benefits paid for a standard working week must meet; at a minimum, National legal Standards or Industry benchmark Standards, whichever is higher. Workers shall be made aware of their employment conditions.

7. Working hours are not excessive
Working hours shall comply with National Laws and Benchmark Industry Standards, whichever affords the greater protection. In any event, workers shall be provided with at least one day off for every 7-day period. Overtime shall always be compensated at a premium rate or with time off in lieu of the extra hours worked. Working hours should meet Local, National, Legal or Industry benchmark standards as a minimum.

8. No discrimination is practised
There shall be no discrimination in hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, termination or retirement based on race (including colour, nationality or ethnic origin), religion, belief, age, disability, gender, gender re-assignment, marital status, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.

9. Employment
To every extent possible work performed must be on the basis of a recognised employment relationship established through national law and practice.

10. No harsh or inhumane treatment is allowed
Physical abuse or discipline, the threat of physical abuse, sexual or other harassment, verbal abuse or other forms of intimidation shall be prohibited. The provisions of this policy constitute minimum and not maximum standards.

11. Relevant taxes are paid
All relevant taxes will be paid whether under UK law or under the law of any foreign country. The business will be conducted in a manner such that the opportunity for, and incidence of, tax evasion is prevented.

Mark Lane Designs Ltd ensure that this policy is communicated and available to all relevant stakeholders as appropriate.

This policy shall be reviewed for effectiveness and suitability at least annually as part of the management review process.

This statement represents my commitment on behalf of the company.

Printed and Signed Off By:

Mark Lane

Dr Mark Lane
Managing Director, 2023

MARK LANE DESIGNS LTD: ANTI-SLAVERY POLICY STATEMENT

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.

Mark Lane Designs Ltd 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.

We are also 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.

We expect the same high standards from all of our contractors, suppliers and other business partners, and as part of our contracting processes, in the coming year we will include specific prohibitions against the use of forced, compulsory or trafficked labour, or anyone held in slavery or servitude, whether adults or children, and we expect that our suppliers will hold their own suppliers to the same high standards.

This policy 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
Mark Lane Designs Ltd has overall responsibility for ensuring this policy complies with our legal and ethical obligations, and that all those under our control comply with it.

Mark Lane Designs Ltd 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.

Management at all levels are responsible for ensuring those reporting to them understand and comply with this policy and are given adequate and regular training on it and the issue of modern slavery in supply chains.

You are invited to comment on this policy and suggest ways in which it might be improved. Comments, suggestions and queries are encouraged and should be addressed to the Managing Director.

Compliance with the policy
You must ensure that you read, understand and comply with this policy.

The prevention, detection and reporting of modern slavery in any part of our business or supply chains is the responsibility of all those working for us or under our control. You are required to avoid any activity that might lead to, or suggest, a breach of this policy. You must notify your 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.

You are encouraged to raise concerns about any issue or suspicion of modern slavery in any parts of our business or supply chains of any supplier tier at the earliest possible stage. If you believe or suspect a breach of this policy has occurred or that it may occur, you must notify your line manager or company Director OR report it in accordance with our Whistleblowing Policy as soon as possible.

You should note that where appropriate, and with the welfare and safety of local workers as a priority, we will give support and guidance to our suppliers to help them address coercive, abusive and exploitative work practices in their own business and supply chains.

If you are unsure about whether a particular act, the treatment of workers more generally, or their working conditions within any tier of our supply chains constitutes any of the various forms of modern slavery, raise it with your line manager or company Director.

Mark Lane Designs Ltd aim to encourage openness and will support anyone who raises genuine concerns in good faith under this policy, even if they turn out to be mistaken. We are committed to ensuring no one suffers any detrimental treatment as a result of reporting in good faith their suspicion that modern slavery of whatever form is or may be taking place in any part of our own business or in any of our supply chains.

Detrimental treatment includes dismissal, disciplinary action, threats or other unfavourable treatment connected with raising a concern.

If you believe that you have suffered any such treatment, you should inform your line manager immediately. If the matter is not remedied, and you are an employee, you should raise it formally using our Grievance Procedure, which can be found in the current employee handbook.

This Modern (Anti) Slavery Policy and Statement is intended for businesses in all countries, especially the United Kingdom.

Communication & 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, and updates will be provided using established methods of communication between the business and you. 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.

Printed and Signed Off By:

Mark Lane

Dr Mark Lane
Managing Director, 2023