Modern Slavery Act

Comfy Group – Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking Statement 2023

About Comfy Quilts Ltd

Comfy Quilts Ltd was founded in 1973 and has grown to be one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of filled bedding products in the UK.  Comfy Quilts Ltd manufacture and distribute duvets, pillows, protectors and mattress toppers as well as supply bed linen, nursery products and towels to the nation’s biggest retailers, working alongside some of the biggest names in bedding such as Silentnight, Rest Assured, Sealy and Jeff Banks as well as its own Brands.  We pride ourselves in the quality of our products and the service we offer.  Employing over 450 people across four sites in Manchester, our team are passionate about what we do and value every person who plays their part in making our business so successful.

We are committed to long lasting improvements to employee conditions and work environments in both our own facilities and that of our suppliers.  Comfy Quilts Ltd is committed to the principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the abolition of modern slavery and human trafficking.  We aim to provide an ethical and respectful work environment for all our employees.

Our Commitment to the Principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2015

Comfy Quilts Ltd supports Stronger Together, a multi-stakeholder initiative aimed at reducing modern slavery, particularly in the labour supply chain.  This statement demonstrates our actions and activities to underpin our commitment to tackling Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking during the financial year 1st February 2022 to 31st January 2023.

Comfy Quilts Ltd maintains the following policies.

  • Equal Opportunities Policy
  • Human Rights Policy
  • Forced Labour & Bonded Labour Policy
  • Child Labour Policy
  • Grievance Policy & Confidential Grievance Procedure
  • Whistleblowing Policy
  • Bribery & Corruption Policy
  • Diversity & Inclusion Policy
  • Harassment, Victimisation & Bullying Policy

Our Supply Chain

We are committed to responsibly sourcing raw materials and finished products through our UK and International supply chain.

Suppliers – all suppliers are subject to SMETA audits annually to demonstrate ethical compliance.

Labour Providers The organisation uses only specified, reputable employment agencies to source labour and always verifies the ethical practices of any new agency it is using before accepting workers from that agency.

Embedding the Principles

Over the past 12 months, Comfy Quilts Ltd have undertaken the following activities:

  • made employees aware of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and informed them of appropriate action to take if they suspect a case of slavery or human trafficking.
  • audited our on-site labour providers at least every 12 months using the Stronger Together methodology.
  • included Modern Slavery awareness in employee inductions for all employees as well as temporary workers employed via on-site labour providers.
  • displayed ETI code of conduct and helpline numbers on notice boards, live information screens in canteen areas and in our employee newsletter.
  • put in place a free employee assistance for employees to access support and counselling on a confidential basis.
  • put in place a training programme to train Mental Health First Aiders across all sites and all levels as well as a confidential dedicated MHFA direct communication line.
  • Comfy Quilts Ltd recruitment process is designed to ensure that all prospective employees are legally entitled to work in the UK before they commence employment.
  • put a Whistleblowing Policy in place to safeguard our employees from any abuse or coercion, once in our employment.
  • put in place a Child Labour Policy to prevent the recruitment and employment of child labour and a remediation procedure in the event child labour is detected in the organisation including its supply chain.
  • implemented a grievance flowchart to simply the communication process as well as the ability to raise grievances confidentially.
  • put in place a Forced Labour and Bonded Labour Policy to provide clear and practical interpretation of international labour standards to ensure Comfy Group and its suppliers tackle forced labour and bonded labour.

 

Raising Awareness

Comfy Quilts Ltd has raised awareness of modern slavery issues by putting up posters across the organisation’s premises and articles in our monthly newsletter, explaining to employees:

  • the ETI code of conduct.
  • the basic principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2015;
  • what employees can do to flag up potential slavery or human trafficking issues to the relevant parties within the organisation; and
  • what external help is available, for example through the Modern Slavery Helpline.
  • Helpline numbers to report any concerns confidentially to Comfy Group and external bodies.

During 2023 to 2024, Comfy Quilts Ltd will undertake the following activities:

  • Ensure that employees whose job roles carry a higher level of risk in the area of ethical Business Practice e.g. sales, purchasing, logistics have been trained on what action to take in the event of an issue arising in their area.
  • Communicated the Business Ethics Policy, covering bribery, corruption, or any type of fraudulent Business Practice to all appropriate, including its suppliers.
  • Display the modern slavery helpline on internal communications including our monthly newsletter.
  • Raise awareness of modern slavery by publishing all relevant policies on the Comfy Group intranet.
  • Continue to operate a confidential employee assistance helpline for confidential support.
  • Encourage employees to report concerns and where applicable, contact the relevant authorities.
  • Employees who report concerns will be taken seriously and receive full protection under the Whistleblowing Policy.
  • Maintain a log of ethical audits for suppliers before they enter the supply chain.
  • Continue to include modern slavery awareness during induction, including information on what external help is available, for example through the Modern Slavery Helpline, Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and “Stronger together” initiative.

Comfy Quilts Ltd have released this statement so our business partners, employees and customers can be confident in our approach to upholding our human rights and tackling modern day slavery and adhering to the Modern Slavery Act 2015.  This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes our slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year end 31st January 2023.  It is approved by the Directors of Comfy Quilts Ltd, who review and update it annually.

Jamie Moryoussef - Operations Director

Jamie Moryoussef
Managing Director

31st January 2023