Modern-Slavery Policy

Our commitment to the principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2015
Visual Foods Limited is committed to the principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, including the abolition of modern slavery and human trafficking. The company takes appropriate steps to ensure that everyone who works for Visual Foods – whether as a team member or supplier, benefits from a work environment that respects their fundamental rights and freedom. As an equal-opportunities employer, Visual Foods is dedicated to creating and maintaining a non-discriminatory and respectful working environment for its staff; while continuously improving processes to combat slavery and human trafficking. We want all staff to feel confident that they can report wrongdoing without any risk to themselves. All Visual Foods recruitment and people management processes are designed to ensure that every prospective employee is legally entitled to work in the UK, as well as safeguarding employees from any abuse or coercion once in our employment. Visual foods does not enter into business with any organisation, in the UK or abroad, that knowingly supports or is found to be involved in slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour.

Codes, policies and guidelines
Visual Foods maintains the following policies and guidelines which are accessible to our whole team via our Staff Handbook. These are in place to ensure ethical working and adherence to the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Social and Ethics policy
This policy demonstrates our corporate commitment to maintaining honest business practices, from the way that we treat our employees, to the environmental impact of our business practices both in the short and long-term. Visual Foods has documented quality standards for levels of service given to its customers. We monitor these standards and always seek to improve. Similarly, we have high expectations of all our managers and employees in regards to the way in which they conduct their business transactions.

Whistleblowing policy
The organisation encourages all its employees, 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 workers to make disclosures, without fear of retaliation. We use
the ‘Stronger Together’ initiative for anyone with concerns, or who requires more detailed information.

Bullying and harassment policy
The organisation encourages an environment in which everyone is entitled to work without harassment, victimisation and bullying. Where a particular form of conduct has the effect of making a person feel humiliated, threatened or that their privacy is being invaded, then that conduct will constitute harassment. The organisation’s policy has a clear process for reporting concerns and escalation to Disciplinary or Grievance internally or through other routes, to support issues in our supply chain.

Diversity, inclusion and religious observance
Promoting and supporting diversity in the workplace is an important aspect of good people management, by valuing everyone in the organisation as an individual. To enjoy the full benefits of a diverse workforce it’s vital to have an inclusive environment where everyone feels able to participate and achieve their potential.

Anti-bribery policy
The organisation ensures compliance with anti-bribery laws, rules and regulations, not just within the UK, but also in any other country where the company may conduct its business or in relation to which its business may be connected. The policy enables employees and persons associated with the company to understand risks associated with unlawful conduct. This enables and encourages them to be vigilant and to effectively recognise, prevent, avoid and report any wrongdoing, whether by themselves or others.

Our supply chain 
We have reviewed the risks within our supply chains and consider our exposure to modern slavery to be very limited in our market sector. Nevertheless, we expect our suppliers and contractors to demonstrate a zerotolerance approach to exploitation.

Embedding the principles 
Visual Foods will continue to embed the principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 by:
• Ensuring Human Resources monitor our compliance with best practices and updating policies and processes using the ‘Stronger Together’ initiative and principles
• Providing awareness training to staff on the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and informing them of the appropriate action to take if they suspect a case of slavery or human trafficking
• Ensuring staff involved in procurement activity are aware of and follow Tackling Modern Slavery in Government Supply Chains – GOV.UK
• Including modern slavery clauses in procurement strategies and contracts
• Ensuring Senior Management give ongoing consideration to upholding the principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 to the wider organisation
• Continue to take action to embed a zero tolerance policy towards modern slavery
• Ensuring that staff involved in buying or procurement and the recruitment and deployment of workers
receive training on modern slavery and ethical employment practices
• Maintaining a staff awareness strategy for the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and reporting mechanisms if a case of slavery or human trafficking is suspected. This includes the use of posters, online videos, training and specialist helplines via the ‘stronger2gether.org’ organisation

This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes our group’s slavery and human trafficking statement for the current financial year.