At Gramicci we pride ourselves on being a business with exemplary core values. We are customer focussed, expert in our advice, passionate for the outdoors and aim to be a fun place to work.

Within all these values, respecting people and the planet are paramount to our owners, leadership team and staff therefore our Modern Slavery Statement flows from that.

Introduction

This statement sets out our actions to understand all potential modern slavery risks related to its business and to put in place steps that are aimed at ensuring that there is no slavery or human trafficking in our business and our supply chains. This statement relates to actions and activities during the financial year 1 July 2019 to 31 June 2020.  

As part of the retail sector, we recognise our responsibility to take a robust approach to slavery and human trafficking. The business is absolutely committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in its corporate activities, and to ensuring that its supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking.

Countries of operation and supply

The business currently operates in the following countries:

  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Whistleblowing Policy

The organisation encourages all its colleagues, customers and other business partners to report any concerns related to the direct activities, or the supply chains of the organisation. This includes any circumstances that may give rise to an enhanced risk of slavery or human trafficking. The organisation's whistleblowing procedure is designed to make it easy for colleagues to make disclosures, without fear of retaliation.

We have shared this policy with all staff and will ensure that is reviewed each fiscal year and approved annually by the leadership team.

Security Policy

Health & Safety and the personal security of all our employees is a top priority for us. Whilst recognising the importance of good customer service, we also recognise that there will be occasions when customer behaviour is unacceptable. We recognise that violence and abuse pose a significant threat to the wellbeing of our retail staff. Whilst highly unusual in our business, the numbers of violent attacks involving wider retail colleagues is on the increase. Employees are not encouraged to put themselves at risk.

Recruitment Policy

Every person working for us, our suppliers and factories does so out of their own choice - with no forced, bonded or involuntary labour and no human trafficking or slavery. We believe every employee should be free to leave their employer after a reasonable notice period if they want to.

Whilst primarily using our in-house retail and marketing departments, we use only specified, reputable employment agencies to source labour and always verify the practices of any new agency we are using before accepting colleagues from that agency. We make sure that each labour provider is compliant with current legislation including the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Due diligence processes in relation to slavery and human trafficking in its business and supply chains:

We are committed to ensuring that our suppliers adhere to the highest standards of ethics. We are constantly striving to strengthen our mission of protecting people and planet. Suppliers are required to demonstrate that they provide safe working conditions where necessary, treat colleagues with dignity and respect, and act ethically and within the law in their use of labour. We work with suppliers to ensure that they meet the standards of the code and improve their worker's working conditions.

Serious violations of the organisation's supplier code of conduct will lead to the termination of the business relationship. We enforce our suppliers via our general terms and conditions and we are committed to make further improvements in 2019, by self-audit and engaging 3rd parties to complete independent ethical checks including rolling out a new supply chain compliance programme and committing to independent regular audits.

Gramicci Store will only accept merchandise if fundamental rights have been taken into consideration. By this we mean:

  • Management practice that respect the rights of all employees, including the right to free association and collective bargaining.
  • No child labour.
  • No forced, indentured, involuntary, illegal or bonded colleagues are used in the production of goods.
  • No labour which involves physical or mental abuse while producing our merchandise. Hours of work shall comply with applicable laws and local industry standards.
  • Wages are paid regularly, on time and be fair in respect of work performance
  • A safe and healthy environment for those who are involved in the production of our merchandise

Training about slavery and human trafficking available to its colleagues

We actively encourage personal development and all employees are given orientation and have access to all our policies. We have awareness training regarding slavery and human trafficking which all employees must complete on induction.

Awareness-raising programme

As well as training staff, the business has raised awareness of modern slavery issues by highlighting to colleagues through internal communications so that all colleagues and managers are aware of our commitment in tackling modern slavery. We will also publish externally where appropriate.

The communication explains:  

  • The basic principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2015;
  • How employers can identify and prevent slavery and human trafficking;
  • What employees can do to flag up potential slavery or human trafficking issues to the relevant parties within the organisation; and
  • What external help is available, for example through the Modern Slavery Helpline