Corporate Policies

Corporate and Social Responsibility Statement

We believe that corporate and social responsibility is integral to our business. We are dedicated to making a positive contribution to our community, being a responsible employer and minimising our environmental impacts.

We ensure that all supply chain entities and stakeholders adhere to our Environmental, Equality & Diversity, Ethical Trade and Anti-Bribery policies.

Environmental Policy

Thomas Kneale and Co Ltd recognises that it has a moral responsibility to the community, the environment, and the global labour force engaged in its Supply Chain. We willingly embrace our responsibility to play a part in the reduction of pollution by minimising the use of energy and natural resources and where it is practicable use raw materials from renewable, recyclable and sustainable sources. Our textile and fibre recycling programme is testament to our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint.

We continually review our suppliers and products and only select partnership factories which have been independently audited to ensure they comply with all legal requirements, are able to demonstrate that they have programmes in place to reduce the demands their manufacturing process has on the environment. They must be accredited to an internationally recognised standard or be able to prove that they are making sufficient steps to attain such an accreditation. In addition to this partnership, factories are required to be compliant with Oeko-Tex 100 Standard or G.O.T.S. which certifies awareness of human and ecological issues.

Ethical Trade Policy

The purpose of our Ethical Trade Policy is to promote improved working conditions for everyone throughout our supply chain.

It is very important to us that our Ethical Trade Policy is upheld by all entities within our supply chain and that working conditions/activities associated with the supply of goods and services are compliant with all applicable laws, regulations and labour standards, including those relating to Environmental and Health & Safety matters.

Anti-Bribery Policy

It is our policy to conduct all of our business activities in an honest and ethical manner. We take a zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption and are committed to acting professionally, fairly and with integrity in all our dealings. We are also committed to implementing and enforcing effective systems to counter bribery and complying with the Bribery Act 2010.

Equality & Diversity Policy

We are committed to ensuring equality and fairness in all areas of employment and promoting a culture that actively values differences and recognises that people from different backgrounds and experiences can bring valuable insight to the workplace and enhance the way we work. We aim to be an inclusive organisation, where diversity is valued, respected and built upon, with the ability to recruit and retain a diverse workforce that reflects the communities it serves. We aim to proactively tackle discrimination or disadvantage and aim to ensure that no individual or group is directly or indirectly discriminated against.

We are also committed to ensuring we are compliant with relevant equality legislation, the Equality Act 2010, Codes of Practice and relevant best practice guidance.

Anti-Slavery Policy

Thomas Kneale & Co Ltd opposes any use of slavery or human trafficking in principle and in the manufacture and distribution of our products in particular and fully supports the promotion of ethical and lawful business practices within our workplace to this end.

Thomas Kneale & Co Ltd will uphold internal accountability standards and maintain procedures for identifying and dealing with employees or suppliers who fail to meet company standards regarding slavery and human trafficking issues.

Health & Safety Policy

It is our policy to comply with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of our employees, independent contractors, visitors and the general public.

Health and Safety is an integral part of the management of the Company’s activities and all employees must regard it as being of at least equal importance to other responsibilities.

Appropriate training and instruction will be provided to enable employees at all levels to perform their work safely and effectively.

A constant and continuing interest in Health and Safety matters will be promoted and maintained by consultation, involvement and co-operation of all employees.

Our corporate policies are available upon request.