Anti-Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement Pursuant to the Modern Slavery Act 2015
Our Business and Organisational Structure
Founded in 1911, Busseys and Sabberton Bros. Ltd have been Ford main dealers in Norwich and subsequently throughout Norfolk since 1923.
Busseys is an independently owned family business, representing 2 new car manufacturers, Ford and Peugeot. It operates dealerships across the Norfolk, with locations in Norwich, Dereham, Fakenham, and Attleborough. Busseys directly employs almost 250 people.
The functions across Busseys include: –
- selling new and used vehicles
- arranging finance to enable customers to buy vehicles
- providing vehicle aftersales including the servicing and repair of vehicles for both businesses and the general public
- selling parts and accessories
- conducting MOT testing
Busseys is staffed by Sales, Service, Parts, Maintenance, and administrative staff with a comprehensive knowledge of their business area, enabling them to offer a high level of service and administrative support.
Supply Chain Overview
The automotive supply chain is one of the most complicated of any industry. There are often six to ten levels of suppliers between a vehicle manufacturer and the source of raw materials that enter the manufacturing process.
The breadth, depth and interconnectedness of the automotive supply chain make it challenging to effectively manage business and sustainability issues. Respecting human rights and environmental issues in the supply chain is ultimately our suppliers’ responsibility.
Our Policy on Slavery and Human Trafficking
Busseys commits to developing and adopting a proactive approach to tackling hidden labour exploitation and human trafficking. This includes: –
- Slavery – victims are deprived of their freedom and forced to work
- Human / child trafficking – people are moved, often internationally, so that they can be exploited
- Forced labour – people are forced to work against their will for little or no pay, often under the threat of violence to themselves or their families.
- Debt bondage – victims work to pay off debts that they have no realistic chance of being able to clear
Forced labour can include the exploitation of job applicants and workers by third party individuals or gangs other than the employer or labour provider including rogue individuals working within these businesses but without the knowledge of management including payment for work-finding services and work-related exploitation such as forced use of accommodation. It is understood that it is often well hidden by the perpetrators with victims, if they perceive of themselves as such, reluctant to come forward.
Slavery and human trafficking are abhorrent crimes and we all have a responsibility to ensure that they do not continue. At Busseys we take every effort to conduct our business ethically and responsibly. As an employer we are committed to paying at least the applicable minimum / Living Wage and we regularly review our terms of employment to ensure that they comply with all relevant legislation. We procure goods and services from a vast number of suppliers and are committed to doing what we can to combat slavery and human trafficking throughout our supply chain.
Our anti-slavery and human trafficking statement reflects our commitment to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships and to implementing and enforcing systems and controls that seek to ensure slavery and human trafficking is not taking place anywhere in our supply chains. Busseys does not wish to support or deal with any business or organisation knowingly involved in slavery or human trafficking in any part of its operations remotely or indirectly. In the event that we suspect a breach of The Modern Slavery Act 2015, we would report the perpetrator and immediately cease trading/dealing with the perpetrator.
Due to the breadth of its businesses and supply chains Busseys is not in a position to check every business relationship and avenue. As part of our initiative to identify and mitigate risk within our business and our supply chains:
- All Busseys employees are made aware of this statement which is displayed on our company website and staff are encouraged to identify and report any suspicions or concerns to their line manager.
- We promote the ‘Stronger Together’ initiative aiming to reduce modern slavery, particularly hidden forced labour, labour trafficking and other third-party exploitation of workers.
- We expect our suppliers to adhere to all legislation relating to The Modern Slavery Act 2015 and we make clear our expectations of business behaviour.
- Any instances of non-compliance of which Busseys is made aware will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Remedial action will be taken and tailored to suit the circumstances
- Busseys will quickly and thoroughly investigate any claim or indication that any area of its business or supply chains is engaging in human trafficking or slave labour.
Due Diligence Processes for Slavery and Human Trafficking
- To ensure all those in our supply chain and labour providers adhere to current legislation, we aim to evaluate our key suppliers on various aspects of Corporate Social Responsibility.
- We require new suppliers to declare that they are not involved in modern slavery or human trafficking and have not been subject to any investigation in connection with any offence involving slavery or human trafficking.
- Through the implementation of this programme, we ensure a responsible supply chain that shares our company’s ideas, practices and sustainable policies.
- Our HR Department has measures in place to monitor the terms upon which Busseys employees are engaged and remunerated.
- We ensure that all business activity complies with minimum wage legislation.
- We ensure that all Busseys employees have the right to work in the UK.
- Our recruitment processes are transparent with appointments approved by Directors. There are robust procedures in place for the vetting of new employees that enables us to confirm their identities and ensure they are both paid directly and correctly.
- Any breach of our Modern-Day Slavery policy by any employee will result in disciplinary action which could result in dismissal for gross misconduct.
Training and Support
To ensure a high level of understanding of the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking in our supply chains and our business, we provide relevant information and support to our staff to ensure compliance in this area. Senior management are briefed on the subject.
This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes our slavery and human trafficking statement.
Paul Bussey
Managing Director
Busseys
