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Modern Slavery Statement

Introduction

This Statement is made in accordance with Section 54, Part 6 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015(MSA).The main purpose of A&J Designs (Staffs) Limited is to provide workwear and PPE to customers in the UK and worldwide. A&J Designs is committed to respect for human rights, in our own operations and in our supply chain.

To Whom this Policy Applies

This policy applies to all persons working for A&J Designs or on our behalf in any capacity, including employees at all levels, directors, officers, agency workers,interns, agents, contractors, external consultants, third - party representativesand business partners.This policy does not form part of any employee's contract of employment and A&J Designs may amend it at any time.

Structure and Supply Chain

A&J Designs is a UK-based company with its Head Office in Staffordshire. We have premises in Norton Canes, Staffrodshire. Wherefrom all our products are dispatched worldwide.

A&J Designs products are produced in various countries, with dedicated facilities in China, Pakistan, Morocco, Myanmar and Bangladesh.We also have suppliers in Cambodia. A&J Designs product are manufactured to our standards and then shipped directly to our Distribution Centre through various carriers.

Policies on Modern Slavery

We are fully aware of unsavoury practices that occur in some of the countries we operate in.That is why, before we work with any manufacturer or supplier,we make sure they adhere to the International Labour organisation Conventions on Slave labour, Forced Labour and Human Trafficking.To ensure that these practices do not take place in any factory supplying to us, we have put in placea mandatory reporting and monitoring system.We carry out random and spot checks(unannounced). A&J Designs pays and is committed to a Living Wage in the UK and pays the highest possible rates to their overseas suppliers. We adhere to the ideal of Global Human Rights Policy in that we recognise the right of all employees, whether in the UK or overseas, to have a safe and respectful workplace. All A&J Designs employees, manufacturers and suppliers are committed to complying with all applicable laws regarding slavery and human trafficking whether in the UK or overseas countries where we conduct our business.

Due Diligence Processes

A&J Designs is committed to and applies the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct(as of 31st May 2018).That includes Due Diligence for Processes for Slavery and Human Trafficking, and Due Diligence Guidelines for Responsible Supply Chains.In order to combat the risk of slavery and human trafficking, we take steps to identify those areas of our business where there is a risk of slavery and human trafficking taking place.Therefore, A&J Designs consults key external informational resources to identify where there could be a risk of slavery and human trafficking.We will continue to monitor the situation and, where necessary, implement corrective measures. Moreover, all employees(UK and Overseas) can contact the Director of Personnel directly and in strict confidence to voice any concerns they might have about the treatment they or their colleague(s) are receiving which might be less favourable; which might be an indication of slavery or human trafficking.

Risk Assessment

We set out to identify the existence and the extent of any slavery and human trafficking in our supply chains by conducting checks(including spot checks) at all factories that supply us; interviewing workers without their managers or supervisors being present; collaborating with the suppliers in putting in place measures to prevent slavery and human trafficking. For example, we had heard that there were instances which could have been construed as slavery and human trafficking in that some under age children were being “employed” in one of our suppliers’ factory.We spoke to the supplier and made a visit to the factory.It turned out that this was incorrect. Nevertheless, it was explained to them that it was not an acceptable practice and, if at any time such practice was discovered to be taking place then our relationship with them would be terminated.

Measuring Effectiveness

Even though this is our first statement, we are putting in place verifiable KPIs to measure progress which will be reported in the second and subsequentstatements.This is achievable through collaboration with the suppliers, visits, independent social auditors and reports from NGOs.

Training Staff

Our commitment to identifying and eradication any potential human rightsbreaches is shared by all A&J Designs employees. We will continue to identify waysto improve employee and supplier awareness of A&J Designs commitment torespect human rights and efforts to prevent modern slavery and humantrafficking.All senior staff have been trained in identifying and reporting all signs of potential forced labour or human trafficking.

Responsibility for Policy

All Directors have overall responsibility for ensuring this policy with senior management; and managers/ supervisors have day to day responsibility to ensure compliance with our legal and ethical obligation. The Legal and Compliance Director(Director of Personnel / HR) 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.

Compliance with the Policy

All Directors/Managers/Supervisors and employees must ensure that they 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 manager OR the Director of Personnel / HR and Compliance 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 manager or the Director of Personnel / HR and Compliance or you may report it in accordance with our Whistleblowing Policy as soon as possible. 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 yourmanager or the Director of Personnel / HR and Compliance.We 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. A&J Designs is 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 the compliance manager immediately.If the matter is not remedied, and you are an employee, you should raise it formally using the Grievance Procedure which can be found in your Employee Handbook or from the HR department.

This Statement has been approved by the Board of A&J Designs for submission.

REQUEST AN ONLINE WORK PORTAL

To request an online work portal simply give us a call on 01543 360 055 to discuss further or email admin@a4jdesigns.co.uk

For more information on what a work portal could do for you, simply click here.

Workwear Enquiries
  • 01543 360055
  • clive@a4jdesigns.co.uk

Admin
  • 01543 360055
  • amanda@a4jdesigns.co.uk

School Uniform & Accounts
  • 01543 360055
  • admin@a4jdesigns.co.uk

New Sales
  • 01543 360055
  • jack@a4jdesigns.co.uk

Our Mission Statment

To provide our professional services to as many local councils, businesses and schools as possible to achieve national recognition as a reliable, friendly and successful embroidery company based in Staffordshire that is willing to go the extra mile for its customers.

  • Ian Hitchcox

    We have been using A & J Design for a number of years now to supply a wide range off our uniform stock ranging from boots to work wear for the refuse crews working for Lichfield & Tamworth district council. They are quick at supplying the orders and are always friendly and happy to help with any problems that you might have with finding any product that you are looking for. The quality of the stock is good and they are very competitive with the prices which all come with the logo on the stock in with the price.

  • Trevor H

    I am pleased to be able to say to all at A & J Designs that we appreciate all of your hard work and continued support in providing the Waste Management section with its uniform and for providing help and excellent service in getting the Warden uniform up and running and for all the other one off orders which you have undertaken over these past 12 months. We look forward to working together with you in the future”.

  • Chris Hudson

    Just wanted to say thank you for all your help we are really pleased with how the new logo looks on the shirts.

  • John

    We received the jackets and hi vis vests yesterday and I am very pleased with the product.

  • Matt

    Just a quick email to say thanks, new shirts arrived a couple of days ago and we are all really pleased. Thanks again for the usual great service!

  • Vanessa Bramwell

    Just a quick note to say that the jackets are fab. Everyone loves them and are impressed with the quality.

  • Jeremy Simpson

    The fleeces arrived first thing this morning and we all think they are great and very good quality. Many thanks for all your help.

  • Jonathan Kerr

    Just a quick one to say how happy we are with the polos and sweatshirts! They exceeded our expectations of the final finish! Look forward to speaking with you in future for our next orders.