Modern Slavery Statement
AxisHouse Modern Slavery
Version 2.0 / Published September 2021, Reviewed January 2026
This statement sets out AxisHouse’s 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 its own business and its supply chains. This statement relates to actions and activities during the financial year.
As part of the construction industry, AxisHouse recognises that it has a responsibility to take a robust approach to slavery and human trafficking.
AxisHouse 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.
Organisational structure and supply chains
This statement covers the activities of AxisHouse:
AxisHouse specialises in the design and refurbishment of workspaces for Clients across the UK – for further information, please visit our website – www.axis-house.com
Countries of operation and supply
AxisHouse currently operates in the following countries: United Kingdom & Europe
Responsibility for AxisHouse’s anti-slavery initiatives is as follows:
- Policies – written and reviewed by Management on an annual basis
- Risk assessments – carried out and reviewed by Management on an annual basis
- Investigations/due diligence – carried out as required across the organisation
- Training – organised by Management as appropriate to an employee’s job role.
Relevant Policies
AxisHouse operates the following policies that describe its approach to identification of modern slavery risks and steps to be taken to prevent slavery human trafficking in its operations:
Whistleblowing policy
The organisation encourages all its workers, 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.
Employee code of conduct
The organisation’s code makes clear to employees the actions and behaviour expected of them when representing the organisation.
The organisation strives to maintain the highest standards of employee conduct and ethical behaviour when operating abroad and managing its supply chain.
Recruitment
We operate a robust recruitment policy, including conducting eligibility to work in the UK checks for all employees to safeguard against human trafficking or individuals being forced to work against their will.
[Supplier/Procurement] code of conduct
The organisation is committed to ensuring that its suppliers adhere to the highest standards of ethics.
Suppliers are required, via a PQQ process, to demonstrate that they provide safe working conditions where necessary, treat workers with dignity and respect, and act ethically and within the law in their use of labour.
The organisation works with suppliers to ensure that they meet the standards of the code and improve their worker’s working conditions. However, serious violations of the organisation’s supplier code of conduct will lead to the termination of the business relationship.
[Recruitment/ Agency workers] policy
The organisation uses only specified, reputable employment agencies to source labour and always verifies the practices of any new agency it is using before accepting workers from that agency.
Health and Safety
This policy sets out our approach to ensure we provide a healthy working environment for our staff and contractors that work out of our premises or on our Construction Sites
Due diligence
AxisHouse undertakes due diligence when considering taking on new suppliers, and regularly reviews its existing suppliers.
AxisHouse’s due diligence and reviews include:
- Mapping the supply chain broadly to assess particular product or geographical risks of modern slavery and human trafficking;
- Evaluating the modern slavery and human trafficking risks of each new supplier [this may be part of a more general human rights or labour rights assessment];
- Reviewing on a regular basis all aspects of the supply chain based on the supply chain mapping;
- Conducting supplier audits or assessments [through the organisation’s own staff /third party auditor], which have a greater degree of focus on slavery and human trafficking where general risks are identified;
- Taking steps to improve substandard suppliers’ practices, including providing advice to suppliers [through [third party auditor] and requiring them to implement action plans
- Invoking sanctions against suppliers that fail to improve their performance in line with an action plan or seriously violate our supplier code of conduct, including the termination of the business relationship.
Training
AxisHouse requires all staff within the organisation to complete training on modern slavery as a module within the organisation’s wider training programme. This is a module run by advisors, Citation, and successful completion results in the issue of a certificate confirming this.
AxisHouse’s modern slavery training covers:
- Our business’s purchasing practices, which influence supply chain conditions and which should therefore be designed to prevent purchases at unrealistically low prices, the use of labour engaged on unrealistically low wages or wages below a country’s national minimum wage, or the provision of products by an unrealistic deadline;
- How to assess the risk of slavery and human trafficking in relation to various aspects of the business, including resources and support available;
- How to identify the signs of slavery and human trafficking;
- What initial steps should be taken if slavery or human trafficking is suspected;
- How to escalate potential slavery or human trafficking issues to the relevant parties within the organisation;
- What external help is available, for example through the Modern Slavery Helpline, Gangmasters Licensing Authority and “Stronger together” initiative;
- What messages, business incentives or guidance can be given to suppliers and other business partners and contractors to implement anti-slavery policies; and
- What steps the organisation should take if suppliers or contractors do not implement anti-slavery policies in high-risk scenarios, including their removal from the organisation’s supply chains.
Board approval
This statement has been approved by the organisation’s Board of Directors, who review and update it annually.
The version reference and issue date are included at the top of this page for your information.
