EQUAL OPPORTUNITES AND DIVERSITY

STATEMENT OF POLICY

This company aims to be an equal opportunity employer, and has a policy for this purpose.

This policy covers all aspects of employment, from vacancy advertising, section recruitment and training to conditions of service and reasons of termination of employment.

A copy of the EOEP is available from the personnel department.


VACANCY ADVERTISING

Wherever possible, all vacancies will be advertised simultaneously internally and externally.

Steps will be taken to ensure that knowledge of vacancies reaches underrepresented groups internally and externally.

Wherever possible vacancies will be notified to job centres etc with significant minority group rolls, as well as to minority press/media and organisations.

All vacancy advertisements will include an appropriate short statement and equal opportunity.


SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT

Selection criteria (Job description and employee specification) will be kept under constant review to ensure that they are justifiable on non-discriminatory grounds as being essential for the effective performance of the job.

Wherever possible more than one person must be involved in the selection interview and recruitment process, and all should have received training in equal opportunities.

Wherever possible women, minorities and disabled persons will be involved in the short listing and interviewing process. Reasons for selection and rejection of applicants for vacancies must be recorded.


POSITIVE ACTION – TRAINING, PROMOTION AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

Underrepresented groups will be encouraged to apply for training and employment opportunities with the company. Wherever possible, special training will be provided for such groups to prepare them to compete on genuinely equal terms for jobs and promotion. However, actual recruitment to all jobs will be strictly on merit.

Wherever necessary, use will be made of lawful exemption to recruit suitably qualified people to cater for the social needs of particular groups.
Wherever possible efforts will be made to identify and remove unnecessary barriers and provide appropriate facilities and conditions of service to meet the special needs of disadvantaged groups.


PERSONNEL RECORDS

In order to ensure the effective operation of the equal opportunities policy a record will be kept of all employees and job applicants gender, racial origins and disability.
Where necessary employees will be able to check their own records of these details, otherwise, access to this information will be strictly restricted.


OBJECTIVES OF THIS EOEP

Ensure that the company has access to the widest labour market and secures the best employees for its needs.

Ensure that no applicant of employee receives less favourable treatment and that wherever possible they are given the help they need to attain their full potential to the benefit of the company and themselves.

Achieve an ability based workforce which is in line with the working population mix in the relevant labour market areas.


DIVERSITY

As both a service provider and employer we are committed to care and respect people from all walks of life and value the contributions that each individual can make.

By adhering to an equal opportunities policy we are working towards a workforce that mirrors the area that we live in.

Our staff are made aware of our commitment to equality and diversity and this is to be reflected in their behaviour with customers and colleagues.