Modern Slavery Statement for Gardeners Maryland

At Gardeners Maryland, we are committed to conducting business with integrity, fairness, and respect for human rights. This modern slavery statement reflects our zero-tolerance position toward forced labor, bonded labor, human trafficking, child exploitation, and any other form of modern slavery within our operations and supply chain. We expect every person and organization working with us to uphold the same standards.

Our approach is guided by responsibility, vigilance, and accountability. As a landscaping and garden services provider, we recognize that risks can exist in labor recruitment, subcontracting, transport, cleaning, seasonal work, and material sourcing. For that reason, Gardeners Maryland maintains controls designed to identify, prevent, and address modern slavery risks before they become embedded in our work.

We apply a strict zero-tolerance policy to any form of modern slavery. No manager, supplier, contractor, or agent is permitted to use coercion, deception, withheld wages, unlawful deductions, or passport retention. Any confirmed breach may result in immediate corrective action, suspension, or termination of the relationship. This position is embedded in our purchasing decisions, onboarding checks, and contract expectations.

Supplier Oversight and Risk Management

Gardeners Maryland expects suppliers and subcontractors to demonstrate lawful employment practices and to share our commitment to ethical conduct. We assess suppliers using a risk-based approach, focusing on labor-intensive services, imported products, and higher-risk geographies. Before engagement, suppliers may be required to confirm compliance with our standards and provide evidence of responsible recruitment and workforce management.

We also conduct supplier audits where appropriate. These audits may include document reviews, site visits, worker interviews, and verification of payroll records, working hours, age verification, and right-to-work documentation. If concerns are identified, we require remedial action within a defined timeframe. Repeated or serious failures may lead to removal from our approved supplier list.

Our procurement teams are instructed to look for warning signs such as unusually low pricing, unclear labor arrangements, reluctance to share records, or excessive use of temporary labor. By combining due diligence with ongoing monitoring, Gardeners Maryland strengthens the resilience of its supply chain and reduces the likelihood that modern slavery could occur unnoticed.

Reporting, Training, and Accountability

We encourage all workers, suppliers, and partners to report any suspicion of exploitation, unsafe recruitment, or unethical labor practices. Reporting channels are designed to be accessible and confidential, and concerns may be raised without fear of retaliation. Protection for whistleblowers is central to our approach, and any allegation is treated seriously and investigated promptly.

Training is provided to relevant staff so they can recognize indicators of modern slavery and understand how to respond. Managers involved in hiring, purchasing, and subcontractor oversight receive additional guidance on risk identification, escalation procedures, and recordkeeping. This helps ensure that our garden services business operates with awareness and consistency.

Where issues are found, we act quickly to protect affected individuals and improve controls. Responses may include pausing work, requesting evidence, engaging external specialists, or terminating relationships where necessary. Our objective is not only compliance, but also meaningful prevention and remediation across the full Gardener Maryland supply network.

Annual Review and Continuous Improvement

This statement is reviewed annually to ensure it remains effective, current, and aligned with changes in law, business structure, and supply chain risk. The annual review considers audit findings, reported concerns, supplier performance, training completion, and any new risk indicators affecting our operations or procurement processes.

Following each review, we may strengthen procedures, revise supplier requirements, improve training, or expand audit coverage. We view continuous improvement as essential to maintaining a responsible and ethical service model. Our commitment is ongoing, and we expect every partner to help uphold it.

In summary, Gardeners Maryland stands firmly against modern slavery in all its forms. Through zero tolerance, supplier audits, confidential reporting channels, and an annual review process, we aim to protect workers, maintain trust, and support a transparent and ethical supply chain.