Ethical Trading Policy Statement

Rushton’s: The Chefs’ Greengrocer Limited is committed to conducting all our business operations with suppliers in a manner that upholds the highest standards of ethical trading. From supplier selection to payment, we adhere to the principles of responsible and fair trade, ensuring that our practices align with, and where possible exceed, the core elements of the Ethical Trading Initiative’s Base Code.

The Key Elements of the Base Code:

• Freedom of Employment Choice
• Respect for Freedom of Association & Collective Bargaining
• Safe & Hygienic Working Conditions
• No Child Labour
• Living Wages for Workers
• Reasonable Working Hours
• No Discrimination
• Provision of Regular Employment
• No Harsh or Inhumane Treatment

We promote ethical practices through the careful selection of suppliers who demonstrate commitment to these principles and by encouraging best practices across our supply chain. We expect our suppliers to adopt similar policies and uphold these standards within their own operations.

1. Employees

At Rushton’s: The Chefs’ Greengrocer Limited, we are dedicated to protecting the rights and welfare of all employees. Our personnel policies are well-established, widely accessible, and often exceed legal requirements to ensure a safe, fair, and rewarding work environment.

2. Consumers

We are committed to being transparent about our ethical practices so that our customers can make informed choices. Information about our ethical commitments is available through our website and company brochure.

3. Suppliers

We take responsibility for monitoring the social standards of our supply chain, encouraging our suppliers to meet the same ethical standards that we adhere to. To ensure compliance, we assess suppliers through a self-assessment process followed by more detailed ethical trading audits as part of our Supplier Assurance Procedure.

4. Rushton’s: The Chefs’ Greengrocer Limited Ethical Trading Code of Practice

a) Employment Practices
This Code applies to all staff, whether on permanent or temporary contracts. We are committed to:

• No forced or involuntary labour: All employment is freely chosen.
• No withholding of identification papers: Employees are not required to lodge their identity documents with us.
• Right to Leave: Employees may leave with reasonable notice.
• No Child Labour: We do not employ workers under the age of 16 and adhere to legal working hours for young workers.
• No Hazardous Work for Minors: Workers under 18 are not employed in hazardous work or at night.
  

b) Freedom of Association

All employees have the right to join a recognised trade union and engage in collective bargaining without fear of retaliation.

c) Health & Safety

We provide a safe and hygienic working environment by:

• Regular health and safety training for staff.
• Adequate facilities, including access to toilets and drinking water.
• A published Health & Safety Policy outlining procedures and responsibilities.

d) Fair Working Hours & Remuneration

We ensure that working hours are reasonable, and pay meets or exceeds national minimum standards. Employees are provided with written terms and conditions, and overtime is voluntary:

• No regular working hours exceed 48 per week.
• Employees are given at least one day off per week.
• Pay slips are provided with clear details of deductions.
• No sub-contracting or fixed-term contracts are used to avoid legal obligations.

e) Non-Discrimination & Equal Opportunity

We maintain an environment free from discrimination and harassment. This applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, pay, training, promotion, and termination. We also ensure that personal and career development opportunities are equally available to all employees.

f) Respect & Dignity

We maintain a workplace where physical, verbal, and sexual harassment is strictly prohibited.

5. Organisation & Responsibilities

Management Responsibility
The leadership of Rushton’s: The Chefs’ Greengrocer Limited is ultimately responsible for the implementation and oversight of ethical trading standards. The Managing Director takes the lead in developing, reviewing, and communicating this policy. The Quality Services Manager monitors compliance and advises on best practices.

Managerial Responsibilities
Managers are responsible for:

• Ensuring that ethical trading assessments and controls are implemented across all areas.
• Investigating and addressing any issues or non-conformances.
• Communicating the policy to all employees, contractors, and visitors.
• Ensuring corrective actions are taken following audits.

Line Managers
Line managers are responsible for promoting ethical practices and addressing any policy violations within their teams.

Site Ethical Trading Coordinator
The Site Ethical Trading Coordinator will oversee non-conformances, provide advice, and ensure that the policy is followed at all levels.

Employee Responsibility
Every employee has a duty to:

• Cooperate with management to fulfil the obligations of this policy.
• Report actual or potential problems.
• Suggest improvements for ethical trading practices.

6. Business Conduct with Suppliers

We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in all our business relationships:

• We avoid conflicts of interest and ensure all dealings are transparent and impartial.
• Where feasible, we support the sourcing of environmentally friendly products.
• We respect confidentiality and expect the same from our suppliers.
• We ensure that goods and services are paid for in accordance with agreed terms.

At Rushton’s: The Chefs’ Greengrocer Limited, we are dedicated to fostering an ethical, transparent, and responsible trading environment across our operations and supply chain. By adhering to these standards, we aim to create lasting value for our employees, customers, and the wider community.