Modern Slavery Policy

MODERN SLAVERY STATEMENT FOR FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 2019

The Senator Group is a manufacturer of office furniture and is a family run business headquartered in the UK. Distributing to more than 100 countries globally, we employ more than 1,400 people, predominantly within the UK, USA and Europe.

Further details about the business can be found on The Senator Group company website.

The Senator Group is comprised of the following entities:

  • Senator International Limited (design, manufacture and sales of office furniture)
  • Senator Engineering (metal fabrications)
  • Sustain (recycling)
  • Teal (furniture provision to the health care sector)
  • Senator International Inc (manufacture and sales of office furniture for North America & Canada)
  • Specialist Products (Timack) (manufacture of chair and furniture frames and bespoke specialist products)

 

We operate through three core furniture brands: Senator, Torasen and Allermuir.

This is the Fourth Modern Slavery statement written by the Senator Group, and in the past year we have continued to increase the depth and breadth of our work on Modern Slavery, deepening our understanding of risk, and ensuring we have in place the most effective responses to that risk. We consider Modern Slavery to be a growing global issue and know our customers share our concern. Our commitment to our customers is very clear- we will always treat people in our business and supply chain fairly, this includes being at the forefront of eradicating modern slavery.

According to IOM (International Organization for Migration) which is an intergovernmental organisation that provides services and advice concerning migration to governments and migrants, including internally displaced persons, refugees, and migrant workers, more people are on the move today than at any other time in recorded history. The first Global consolidated figure now estimates 40.3 million people in modern slavery globally of these 24.9 million people are in forced labour which includes 16 million in the private sector including construction and manufacturing.

Senator International Limited (The Senator Group) has zero tolerance to slavery and human trafficking in any part of our activities or our supply chain. We are committed to ensuring that we have appropriate policies and procedures in place to identify and prevent any such practices.

This statement has been published in accordance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015. It sets out the steps taken by The Senator Group during the financial year ending 31/12/2019 to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in its business and supply chains.

Modern Slavery

Overview and how we define Modern Slavery 

  • Slavery, child labour and human trafficking are serious crimes and a violation of fundamental human rights. There are various forms of this ‘Modern Slavery’ which deprives victims of their liberty and usually involves financial exploitation.
  • We conduct our business fairly, ethically and with respect to fundamental human rights. We are fully committed to the prevention of all forms of slavery, forced labour or servitude, child labour and human-trafficking, both in our business and in our supply chains. We will not tolerate it.
  • You are required to read and comply with this policy if you work for, or on behalf of the Company in any capacity including as: an employee, director, officer, worker, consultant, volunteer, supplier or service provider.
  • The Company’s HR Manager is the management representative responsible on a day to day basis for this policy, but the Managing Director is ultimately responsible for allocating the resource and signing the document.

Preventing slavery and human-trafficking in our business 

  • The Company makes appropriate checks on all employees, recruitment agencies and suppliers, to know who is working for, or on behalf of us.
  • The Company provides every employee with a written contract of employment. We pay every employee in accordance with the law.
  • We comply with our legal obligations to ensure the health and safety of all of our employees and workers, including in relation to working hours, rest breaks and holidays.

Supplier requirements

  • If you supply the Company with goods or services, you must assess your business and supply chains and confirm to our HR Manager that you comply with your legal obligations, in relation to Modern Slavery, and are committed to ensuring there is no slavery, forced labour or servitude, child labour or human trafficking taking place in your business, or any of your supply chains.
  • If you breach this policy, or are found to have slavery or human-trafficking in your business, or knowingly in your supply chain, the Company may terminate the contract with you and pursue its legal remedies against you.
  • Supplier Questionnaire – all our suppliers both new and existing must complete our Supplier Questionnaire. As part of this they must provide evidential proof which covers their governance, policies, training, and supply chain management processes. A key part of this is your understanding of and compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
  • Internal Accountability - Internal accountability standards, procedures and audits are used to help confirm that both employees and suppliers understand and meet the standards put in place by The Senator Group.
  • Supply Chain Risk Assessments – The Senator Group aims to carry out Supply Chain Risk Assessments on those areas that are highlighted as a high risk through the International Organization for Migration. The current high risk areas are listed as: Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, China, Taiwan. The Senator Group will also carry out generic risk assessments when visiting a new country, company or site.
  • Due Diligence Audits – Suppliers must be willing to be audited by our standards team on various elements outlined by The Senator Group, including Quality, Environmental, H&S, Modern Slavery, Human Trafficking, Child Labour, Forced Labour, Chain of Custody (where required) and any other area deemed a requirement of the business.

 

If you are an Employee or Worker providing services for us 

  • You must immediately report any suspicions of Modern Slavery or human-trafficking in our business or supply chains to our HR Manager. Our HR Manager will investigate and report to our Board of Directors, within a reasonable time, on actions which may require to be taken.
  • You will not suffer any detrimental treatment as a result of reporting any genuine concerns, raised in good faith, under this policy. This applies, even if after investigation, they are found to be mistaken. If you believe that you have suffered any such treatment, you should immediately inform our HR Manager and if you are an employee, refer to our Grievance and Whistleblowing Policies.
  • This policy does not form part of any employee’s contract of employment and we may amend it at any time.

The Senator Group confirms that the following applies to all of its sites:-

  1. Employment within its companies is freely chosen
  2. Working conditions are safe and hygienic
  3. Child Labour shall not be used
  4. Living wages are paid
  5. Working hours are not excessive
  6. No discrimination is practiced
  7. Regular employment is provided
  8. No harsh or inhumane treatment is allowed.

 

Key areas of focus in 20/21:

The process of risk based approach, review and improvement is a continual one for The Senator Group, and we will maintain this approach to ensure that these policies not only remain appropriate, but also help us identify and prevent any risk of modern slavery or human trafficking penetrating our supply chain.

The Key areas of focus for The Senator Group are:-

- extending our work on Modern within the whole breadth of our sourcing and operations with special emphasis on working with international suppliers.

- continuing to drive improvements through working together with our suppliers to help eradicate all aspects of Modern Slavery.

- focusing on further understanding our supply chains. This will include labour providers and recruiters through to supply chain and services, including sub-contractors, distribution, equipment and services.