Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy
We promote a working environment in which diversity is recognised, valued and encouraged. We acknowledge the multi-cultural and diverse nature of the UK workforce and society in general. We are committed to principles of fairness and mutual respect where everyone accepts the concept of individual responsibility. It is therefore your responsibility to make sure you observe and adhere to this policy at all times. We view any breach seriously. We will investigate and potentially take disciplinary action. This may include dismissal in instances we consider gross misconduct.
We recognise that discrimination in the workplace in any form is unacceptable and in most cases unlawful. Our policy seeks to ensure job applicants and employees are treated fairly and without favour or prejudice. We are committed to applying this throughout all areas of employment. This includes recruitment and selection, training and development, benefits, rewards and promotion, dealing with grievances and disciplinary issues.
Our policy complies with current legislation. We review it regularly and will update it if the law changes. However, we recognise that equality of opportunity is best achieved by day to day commitment throughout the organisation. We offer support and training where necessary to achieve and maintain this.
Recruitment
The selection methods we use for recruitment are related to the requirements of the job. We do not seek irrelevant qualifications, experience or skills. Applicants for employment are shortlisted/selected solely on the basis of their assessed capability for the role.
Protected Characteristics
No job applicant, employee or anyone our organisation deals with receives less favorable treatment because of their protected characteristics. The protected characteristics are:-
Age
Disability
Gender Reassignment
Marriage and Civil Partnership
Pregnancy and Maternity
Race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin)
Religion or Belief
Sex
Sexual Orientation
Your Responsibilities
Each and every one of us is a stakeholder in the success of this policy. We expect you to make a positive contribution towards maintaining an environment of equal opportunity throughout the organisation. Please make sure you observe this policy at all times. In particular, you have individual responsibility to adopt the following: These details are communicated to employees in the Wyvern Business Systems Ltd Code of Conduct. This procedure is located in the “Polices & Procedures” Shared network drive, accessible by all staff.
Do not take unlawful discriminatory actions or decisions contrary to the spirit of this policy.
Do not discriminate against, harass, abuse or intimidate anyone on account of their protected characteristics.
Do not place pressure on any other employee to act in a discriminatory manner.
Resist pressure to discriminate placed on you by others and report such approaches to an appropriate Manager.
Co-operate when we investigate, including providing evidence of conduct which may amount to discrimination.
Co-operate with any measures introduced to develop or monitor equal opportunity.
Discrimination is not just treating one person less favourably than another. It can take place
because: -
someone associates with a person with a protected characteristic;
someone is believed to possess a protected characteristic (even though they don’t);
something particularly disadvantages people who share a protected characteristic more than others.