Statement on Third-Party Anti-Harassment and Respect at Work

This statement reflects our proactive obligations under the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 and standalone third-party harassment duties introduced under the Employment Rights Act 2025.


We believe that having a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture is core to everything we strive to achieve and the organisational environment we wish to protect. Every colleague at the co-op is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect - this means freedom from harassment of any kind (including sexual harassment) and feeling safe.


In line with legal requirements - including our proactive duty to take all reasonable steps to prevent harassment in the workplace - we take a strict zero-tolerance approach. We will not accept harassment, discriminatory or abusive behaviour toward our colleagues under any circumstances.


Scope and Expectations

This policy applies to any third party working with or for us, including suppliers, clients, agency workers, contractors, visitors, and members of the public.


We expect all third parties, their personnel, and their representatives to apply these standards, regardless of job role, whenever they encounter our colleagues in connection with work.

  • Zero Tolerance for All Forms of Harassment: We do not tolerate harassment of our colleagues of any kind, whether based on sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, or any other characteristic. Any behaviour that includes unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, violates someone’s dignity, creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment – is unacceptable.
  • Third-Party Responsibility: We have a duty to take proactive measures to prevent our colleagues from harassment of any kind by third parties, and we expect our partners to actively enforce these same standards with their personnel.
  • Reciprocal Respect: Equally, we do not tolerate harassment or inappropriate conduct by any of our own colleagues toward third-parties interacting with our business. Professional respect and boundaries must work both ways.


Consequences of Non-Compliance

We are committed to taking swift, decisive action where these expectations are not met:

  1. Denial of Access: We reserve the right to immediately remove and permanently bar any third-party representative who engages in harassment or inappropriate conduct from our premises, operations, or digital communication channels.
  2. Termination of Business Relationship: Failure by a supplier or partner to manage their staff and enforce these standards constitutes a material breach of our operational expectations, which may result in us seeking the termination of your contract or commercial relationship.
  3. Escalation & Reporting: Incidents will be escalated directly to senior management within the partner organisation and, where appropriate, reported to relevant legal authorities.