Modern Slavery Policy

 

The UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 aims to combat slavery, servitude, forced labour, and human trafficking in business operations and supply chains. At Nicola Jane, we fully support this legislation and are committed to preventing any form of modern slavery within our operations. We believe everyone involved in the production of our goods and services should be treated with respect, fairness, and dignity, and that employment should always be freely chosen.

 

Nicola Jane was established in 1984 to support individuals following breast surgery. Since then, we’ve grown into a leading name in post-surgery wear, serving customers through our UK retail stores, digital platforms, and global distribution hubs.

Our mission—to restore confidence and femininity after breast surgery—remains the driving force behind everything we do. Our design, buying, and HR teams play key roles in upholding our ethical standards and ensuring compliance throughout our operations.

 

We work with suppliers across the world, including in Germany, China, and Lithuania. Many of these partnerships have been in place for over five years, and we value their ongoing collaboration. These long-term relationships help us maintain consistency in quality, innovation, and ethical practice.

All suppliers are required to comply with our Code of Conduct, which aligns with internationally recognised labour standards. This includes regular assessments to confirm adherence to ethical sourcing requirements.

 

Equal Opportunity Employment

We are committed to creating a workplace that is inclusive and free from discrimination. Employment decisions are based on skills and qualifications, not on race, religion, gender, age, disability, or other protected characteristics.

Whistleblowing

Employees are encouraged to report any misconduct or concerns through our confidential whistleblowing policy, as outlined in our Employee Handbook.

Supply Chain Oversight

Our supply chain is divided into:

• Nicola Jane branded goods

• Third-party branded products

• Operational goods and equipment

• Contracted services (e.g. cleaning, catering)

Our main focus is ensuring compliance within Nicola Jane-branded product suppliers, all of whom must undergo ethical audits and comply with our Code of Conduct.

Supplier Audits

Before onboarding any new supplier, we require a valid third-party ethical audit that meets our criteria. We accept audits conducted for other retailers if they align with our standards. Our buying team visits factories regularly to reinforce our ethical expectations and build strong, transparent relationships.

 

Our Supplier Code of Conduct includes ten key principles:

• No child labour

• Prohibition of forced or involuntary labour

• Safe and healthy working conditions

• Fair pay and benefits

• Equal treatment and opportunities

• Respect for employment security

• Reasonable working hours

• Freedom of association

• Respectful disciplinary practices

• Clear and accountable management systems

 

Child Labour

We do not permit the employment of individuals below the legal working age. Suppliers are expected to take responsible, rehabilitative actions if child labour is found.

Freedom of Association

We support workers' rights to join organisations of their choice. In regions where this is restricted, alternative forms of representation should be facilitated.

 

Disciplinary Procedures

We do not tolerate wage deductions or any form of abuse as disciplinary measures. All actions must be recorded and conducted fairly.

 

Our ethical sourcing strategy focuses on continuous improvement rather than unattainable requirements. We aim to foster long-term supplier relationships rooted in trust, transparency, and shared goals.

All new suppliers undergo a self-assessment and audit process. We conduct random compliance checks and maintain open communication to resolve any issues.

 

If a supplier fails to meet our standards or refuses to make necessary improvements, we will terminate the partnership to protect worker welfare and uphold our values.

Suppliers are responsible for cascading our standards through their own supply chains and appointing a manager to oversee implementation.

 

Recruitment Practices

We manage recruitment in-house and carry out all necessary right-to-work and reference checks. Agencies are used selectively and only from approved partners.

Pay and Conditions

As part of the Living Wage Foundation accreditation, all Nicola Jane employees will receive the minimum hourly rat set by the foundation, and payments are made directly into employee bank accounts. We are committed to transparency through gender pay gap reporting.

Gender Equality

With a majority female workforce, we continue to ensure equal pay for equal work and support flexible working arrangements. We value diversity and strive to maintain a fair and supportive working environment.

 

As we look to the future, our goals include:

• Providing additional training on ethical trade to key departments

• Updating our policies to remain aligned with best practices

• Enhancing visibility across all tiers of our supply chain

We will track progress through:

• Supplier compliance with our Code of Conduct

• Review of third-party audit outcomes

• Staff training completion

• Risk identification and resolution plans