FedEx UK Limited & FedEx Express UK Limited (“FedEx”): Modern Slavery Act 2015 Compliance Statement for 2018
This is the third annual Modern Slavery Statement to be published by FedEx. This statement covers both FedEx UK Limited and FedEx Express UK Limited, for financial year ending 31st May 2018. See here for FedEx’s 2016 statement and see here for FedEx’s 2017 statement.
Lawful and ethical behaviour is of paramount importance to FedEx and is critical to our continued success. The FedEx Code of Business Conduct and Ethics makes it clear that this is a requirement for all of our employees and places similar obligations upon suppliers to FedEx. As part of this requirement FedEx is committed to protecting and advancing human rights in all of our operations wherever they may be in the world.
This statement outlines the steps FedEx has taken to minimise the risk of modern slavery in its business and its supply chains in the last financial year and sets out FedEx’s future plans.
About Fedex And Its Supply Chains
Within the United Kingdom FedEx provides international and domestic delivery services and mainly operates through two companies, FedEx Express UK Limited and FedEx UK Limited.
FedEx has a large and complex supply chain and has many direct supply arrangements on a global basis and on an individual in country basis.
For more information on the FedEx companies operating in the UK and our supply chains, see our 2016 statement.
Relevant Policies
The FedEx Code of Business Conduct and Ethics sets out the expectations that are relevant for all of our employees and for our suppliers wherever we do business in the world. Doing business in an ethical and responsible manner is already enshrined within our current set of policies and procedures. These policies and procedures help to ensure that Slavery and Human Trafficking do not occur within our business or our supply chains. For more detail on the relevant FedEx policies, see our 2016 statement.
We continue to maintain our strong culture of ethics and integrity that supports and encourages compliance with these internal policies.
Due Diligence
We are committed to ensuring there is transparency in our business and in our approach to tackling modern slavery throughout our supply chains. We fully expect the same high standards from our suppliers. We will check our high risk suppliers comply with our standards by asking them to complete our Modern Slavery Supplier Questionnaire. This Questionnaire asks suppliers to confirm, amongst other things, what steps they are taking to mitigate risks of modern slavery taking place in their own supply chains.
Risk Assessment
We aim to mitigate risk by maintaining the FedEx Alert Line. This line can be accessed by all FedEx employees or any other person who wishes to raise a concern. We encourage employees and other parties to raise concerns about any issue or suspicion of modern slavery through the FedEx Alert Line. All reports received through the FedEx Alert Line are acted upon promptly. FedEx employees are also encouraged to report modern slavery issues or concerns in accordance with FedEx’s Open Door and Whistleblowing policies without fear of reprisal or retribution.
Training
We have provided training on the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and its requirements to our procurement function, being the function most directly involved with suppliers. We will now consider providing training to other areas of the business.
Next Steps
Within the next financial year, we will continue to:
- Seek to source our supplies in a responsible manner;
- Expect and require our suppliers to operate in full compliance with all applicable laws;
- Maintain our high standards and identify ways to further enhance this.
Relevant Links
Governance and Citizenship. Further information can be found at: https://about.van.fedex.com/social-responsibility/csr-policy-statements/.
Board Approval
This statement is signed on behalf of FedEx by Trevor Hoyle, Senior Vice President for FedEx Express & TNT on 27 November 2018.