Modern Slavery Statement for Tree Surgeons Swisscottage

Tree Surgeons Swisscottage is committed to operating with integrity, transparency, and respect for human rights across every part of our business. This Modern Slavery Statement sets out the steps we take to prevent modern slavery, forced labour, human trafficking, debt bondage, and child labour within our operations and supply chains. We recognise that the tree surgery sector can involve multiple suppliers, subcontractors, and temporary labour arrangements, which means vigilance is essential. Our zero-tolerance approach applies to all staff, contractors, and business partners.

Our Commitment and Governance

As a responsible Tree Surgeons Swisscottage provider, we expect every person working with or for us to uphold lawful and ethical working practices. Our management team is responsible for overseeing compliance with this statement, ensuring that anti-slavery expectations are embedded into procurement, employment, and site operations. We do not knowingly work with any individual or organisation that benefits from exploitation. Where risks are identified, we act promptly, investigate thoroughly, and take corrective action without delay.

Our policy framework includes written standards for recruitment, pay, working hours, right-to-work checks, and safe working conditions. We ensure workers are never charged fees to obtain work through us or our suppliers, and we require accurate records for employment status and remuneration. In line with our ethical standards, any signs of coercion, withheld identity documents, intimidation, or unsafe accommodation are treated as serious concerns. This is central to our modern slavery prevention programme.

Supplier Audits and Due Diligence

We carry out proportionate supplier audits and due diligence checks to assess the risk of modern slavery within our supply chain. These checks may include reviewing labour practices, subcontracting arrangements, payroll processes, and site conditions. Where suppliers operate in higher-risk sectors or regions, we apply enhanced scrutiny. We expect suppliers to confirm that they comply with all applicable labour laws and that they share our commitment to ethical sourcing and fair treatment.

Our audits are designed to identify risk indicators such as inconsistent wage records, unexplained labour turnover, excessive working hours, or a lack of freedom for workers to leave employment. If a supplier fails to meet our requirements, we reserve the right to suspend work, request remediation, or end the relationship. This approach supports the wider Tree Surgeons Swisscottage commitment to responsible business conduct and helps us maintain a resilient, lawful supply chain.

Training, Awareness, and Reporting Channels

We provide relevant staff with awareness training so they can recognise the warning signs of exploitation and understand how to respond. Training covers practical concerns such as recruitment risk, document retention, unusual control over workers, and poor treatment of vulnerable individuals. Importantly, all workers are encouraged to speak up if something feels wrong. We maintain clear reporting channels so concerns can be raised safely and in confidence, whether they relate to our own operations or a supplier.

Reports can be escalated through internal management routes and are handled sensitively, with confidentiality protected wherever possible. We do not tolerate retaliation against anyone who raises a concern in good faith. Any allegation of modern slavery is reviewed promptly, and where necessary, we cooperate with relevant authorities and support affected individuals. This reflects our belief that ethical practices must be backed by action, not only policy.

Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement

Our controls are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain effective and proportionate to the size and nature of our activities. We monitor incidents, supplier performance, and audit outcomes to identify patterns or emerging risks. Where improvements are needed, we update procedures, strengthen checks, or expand training. We also review recruitment and subcontracting arrangements to reduce the possibility of hidden labour abuse within the tree surgeons Swisscottage supply chain.

This statement is reviewed annually by management to confirm its continuing suitability and to record progress made over the year. The annual review considers legal developments, operational changes, supplier risk, and any reported concerns. We remain committed to ongoing improvement, acting decisively if risks are found, and ensuring that our business continues to reflect the highest standards of fairness, accountability, and respect. Through this commitment, Tree Surgeons Swisscottage reinforces its zero-tolerance stance toward modern slavery in every aspect of its work.