Recruitment Policy

Equal Opportunities, Diversity and Inclusion Policy

Introduction

We acknowledge the multi-cultural and diverse nature of the UK workforce and society in general. We therefore promote a working environment in which diversity is recognised, valued, and encouraged. We are committed to principles of fairness and mutual respect where everyone accepts the concept of individual responsibility.

We expect you to treat everyone you encounter on our behalf fairly and with respect. We seek to nurture positive relationships throughout and beyond our workforce. Everyone we employ has a role to play in the development of our organisation. Nobody should feel excluded by their identity, background or circumstances. We all have something positive to offer and we welcome the diversity of views and opinions inclusive organisations embrace.

It is therefore your responsibility to make sure you observe and adhere to this policy at all times. We view any breach seriously and will investigate, taking disciplinary action where necessary. This may include dismissal in instances we consider to be 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 including recruitment and selection, training and development, benefits, rewards and promotion, dealing with grievances and disciplinary issues.

We also recognise that equality of opportunity is best achieved by day-to-day commitment throughout the organisation, and we offer support and training, where necessary, to achieve and maintain this.

Our policy complies with current legislation. We review the policy regularly and will update it when necessary. However, we recognise that equality, diversity and inclusion are best achieved by everyone’s daily commitment. We will consider support and training where necessary to achieve, maintain and promote our equality, diversity and inclusion agenda.

Protected Characteristics

No job applicant, employee or anyone our organisation deals with receives less favourable treatment because of their protected characteristics, which 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

Recruitment and Promotion

The selection methods we use for recruitment and promotion 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.

Our Recruitment and Employment Principles

We abhor recruitment based on harbouring or transporting people into situations of exploitation through violence, deception or coercion. We condemn employment practices in which people are subjected to servitude or forced to work against their will.

  • We embrace principles supportive of inclusion, equal treatment without discrimination, and the protection of employment law. These principles are broadly based on those developed by the United Nations, International Labour Organisation, Institute for Human Rights and Business, and the Ethical Trading Initiative.
  • We treat all staff equally, without discrimination and with respect for their human rights. All staff enjoy the protection of relevant UK law in respect of their employment.
  • We bear the full costs of recruitment and do not charge staff fees for hiring, placing or promoting them.
  • We provide written statements of terms and conditions of employment to all staff as required by law. These documents explain everything in a clear and transparent way.
  • We support the right to seek, obtain and hold employment without discrimination and with complete respect for dignity.
  • We do not coerce anyone to work for us. Employment is entirely voluntary.
  • You must prove your entitlement to work in the UK; however, we do not hold or retain original passports, identity documents or residency papers. You should retain such documents personally.
  • Everyone is paid regularly in accordance with their terms and conditions of employment. Pay rates always meet or exceed the UK legal minimum. We provide written summaries of pay and deductions for each pay period.
  • Working hours and rest breaks always meet UK law and details are provided in the written statement of terms and conditions of employment.
  • Everyone has the right to join or not join a trade union at their complete discretion.
  • We provide safe and decent working conditions with suitable training as necessary. Our operations comply with or exceed statutory health and safety standards.
  • We provide formal grievance procedures through which staff may lodge work-related complaints or raise concerns.
  • We do not impede anyone’s freedom of movement or their opportunity to seek employment elsewhere.
  • We do not utilise child labour. UK law governs the work of any young person employed by us.

Our Supply Chain

We also encourage our suppliers to endorse these principles to demonstrate their opposition to human trafficking and modern-day slavery.

Your Responsibilities

Each and every one of us is responsible for the success of this policy and we expect you to observe it at all times. We also expect you to make a positive contribution toward maintaining an environment of equal opportunity throughout the organisation.

You have an individual responsibility to comply with the following:

  • Do not take unlawful discriminatory actions or decisions contrary to the spirit of this policy.
  • Do not discriminate against, harass, abuse or intimidate anyone because 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 during investigations, 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 limited to treating someone less favourably. It can occur because:

  • Someone associates with a person with a protected characteristic.
  • Someone is believed to possess a protected characteristic (even if they do not).
  • Something particularly disadvantages people who share a protected characteristic more than others.

We expect you to treat—and be treated by—other employees and the people our organisation deals with considerately and with respect.

If you feel subject to discrimination, make clear to the individual concerned that you find it unacceptable. A face-to-face discussion at an early stage may be enough to resolve the issue. Alternatively, speak with a trusted colleague and ask them to approach the individual who has caused offence.

If your concerns continue, or if the matter is particularly serious, please follow the grievance procedure. We assure you that grievances will be handled promptly, discreetly and with care.

If you believe an individual grievance is not appropriate, you may use our confidential reporting procedure.