P002 – Equality and Diversity Policy

Equality and Diversity Policy

1. Equality and Diversity Policy

1.1 – Policy Statement 

P.I.E.R Ltd (Our Company) is committed to supporting, developing and promoting diversity and equality in all of its employment practices and activities and aims to establish an inclusive culture free from discrimination and based on the values of fairness, dignity and respect.  Our Company will support and develop staff through providing everyone with access to facilities, personal and career development opportunities and employment on an equal basis regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, disability, age, gender, sexual orientation, transgender identity or religion/belief. 

This policy builds on the foundation of equality and anti-discrimination legislation and strives, not only to comply with legal requirements, but to use these to ensure that Our Company endeavours to exemplify best practice. 

Our Company values diversity and recognises that the organisation is greatly enhanced by the different range of backgrounds, experiences, views, beliefs and cultures represented within its staff. Our Company aims to embrace diversity in all of its activities and acknowledges that variety and difference are intrinsic to the success and future development of its business. 

P.I.E.R Ltd values, People, Pride and Professionalism, underpin the Diversity and Equality policy and are integral to Our Company becoming an employer of choice. 

Our Company expects all employees, contractors and agency staff to act in accordance with this Policy. 

1.2 – Aim

The aim of this Policy is to build a fully inclusive organisation. This will be achieved by: 

• Making the best use of the range of talent and experience available within the workforce and potential workforce 
• Building a culture that encourages dialogue 
• P.I.E.R Ltd and employees fulfilling their legal obligations  

1.3 – Principles

The principles of the diversity and equal opportunities policy are:

• to develop and promote a culture of diversity and equality throughout the organisation; 
• to develop and promote a culture of fairness, integrity and dignity; 
• to support all staff, regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief;  
• to prevent all forms of unlawful discrimination; 
• to deal with all forms of discrimination consistently, promptly and effectively; 
• to ensure that the Diversity and Equality policy influences and informs the culture of Our Company.

1.4 – Scope

The policy applies to all applicants for posts with Our Company, to all staff employed on a full time or part-time basis, on permanent or temporary contracts, to agency staff and contractors.  

1.5 – Legislative Framework

This Policy is underpinned by legislation including Equality Act 2010 and appropriate Acts, which places individual responsibilities on staff/service users/visitors as well as Our Company.

Under the above Equality legislation, it is unlawful to: 

• discriminate directly against anyone and treat him/her less favourably than others because of a protected characteristic they have or are thought to have (perception discrimination), or because they associate with someone who has a protected characteristic (discrimination by association).; 
• discriminate indirectly against anyone by applying a criterion, provision or practice which particularly disadvantages people who share a protected characteristic; 
• subject someone to harassment related to a relevant protected characteristic (pregnancy and maternity and marriage and civil partnership are excluded); 
• victimise someone because s/he has made, or intends to make, a complaint or allegation or has given or intends to give evidence in relation to a complaint of discrimination; 
• discriminate against someone in certain circumstances because of a protected characteristic after the working relationship has ended. 

The protected characteristics are:

• age 
• disability 
• gender 
• marriage and civil partnership 
• pregnancy and maternity 
• race, religion or belief 
• sexual orientation

1.6 – Definitions

Equal Opportunities: Equal opportunities are a principle that emphasizes that opportunities in employment, education and other areas are available to all. Equal Opportunities in particular relates to a Legal Framework, which makes it illegal to discriminate against people because of a protected characteristic they have.

Diversity: Diversity is a broader concept that builds upon the progress made through equal opportunities. Everyone is different and diversity is about recognising, respecting and valuing the differences we each bring to work.  Equal opportunities and diversity work together by identifying and addressing any inequalities and barriers faced by people and by valuing, learning and benefiting from the diverse cultures in society and our staff. 

Direct Discrimination: Direct discrimination occurs when an individual is treated less favourably than another because of a protected characteristic they have.   

Discrimination by association: This is direct discrimination against someone because they associate with another person who possesses a protected characteristic.  

Perception discrimination: This is direct discrimination against an individual because others think they possesses a protected characteristic. It applies even if the person does not actually possess the protected characteristic.

Indirect Discrimination: Indirect discrimination occurs when a provision, criterion or practice is applied universally, but its effect disadvantages people who share a protected characteristic.  

Harassment: Harassment is uninvited and unwanted behaviour related to a protected characteristic  and makes a person feel intimidated or humiliated.  

Victimisation: Victimisation is where someone is treated less favourably because they have made a complaint about discrimination or harassment or have given evidence relating to a complaint.

1.7 – Responsibilities

It is essential that all members of Our Company behave with dignity, courtesy and respect and to act in a non-discriminatory manner at all times. 

1.7.1 – Our Company

Our Company has a legal responsibility for demonstrating that it treats all groups of staff fairly in its employment practices. This includes promoting good relationships between different groups of staff and ensuring equality of opportunity.  

To achieve this Our Company will:  

• Gather information on the profile of our staff and our employment practices, such as recruitment; Consult employees and trade unions about how our services and employment practices could be improved 
• Assess the impact of current and proposed employment policies, practices and services 
• Identify priorities and set equality objectives 
• The Directing Board will monitor progress through the Equality Impact Assessment process and support the implementation of action plans. 

This will enable Our Company to achieve its aim of a healthy work-life balance for all staff, improve retention and prevent under-utilisation of some staff. 

Employees and job applicants will receive no less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, national or ethnic origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, disability or age.  

1.7.2 – Managers 

Will investigate all matters of alleged discrimination, harassment and inappropriate behaviour promptly and thoroughly.

Will ensure that selection and appointment procedures, performance management processes, staff development opportunities and disciplinary and grievance processes are fairly and consistently applied to all staff.

Will treat all applications for flexible working patterns on a fair and equitable basis and will provide reasonable and objective reasons when such requests must be refused.

Will ensure that diversity and equality issues are considered as part of Our Company planning processes. 

1.7.3 – Employees 

Legal responsibilities also extend to employees, and Our Company therefore expects all staff, contractors and agency staff to act in accordance with this Policy when delivering Our Company’s business.  

Staff are expected to treat colleagues and every service user fairly and with respect.   

All staff should deliver their work to the highest standard and that means adapting as much as possible to the specific needs of each individual service user and working in a supportive way with colleagues.   

Every member of staff is an essential member of a team and should feel able to develop their skills and play their part fully in the organisation.  

Staff should actively encourage non-discriminatory practices and challenge any incidences of behaviour that fail to comply with this policy. 

1.8 – Application of the Policy

Recruitment and Selection

• job descriptions, person specifications and recruitment advertisements will be written on the basis of the essential and justifiable requirements of the position; 
• shortlisting, appointment and rejection decisions will be transparent and justifiable and will be supported by written comments.

Grading and Promotion

• All grading and promotions criteria and procedures will be free from prejudice and must be applied equitably and consistently.

Staff Development

• All staff will have equal access to induction, personal and career development opportunities and facilities.

Performance Management

• Probation and performance management procedures will be clear and transparent and will be applied fairly across all staff.

Discipline and Grievance

• Disciplinary and grievance procedures will be applied fairly and transparently for all staff;  
• allegations of discrimination, harassment or inappropriate behaviour will be dealt with under the appropriate disciplinary procedures for staff. 

1.9 – Advice and Complaints

All staff who believe they have been subjected to discrimination or harassment have the right to seek redress.   

Staff may seek advice from their line manager, Human Resources or Trade Union representative. Complaints should be submitted in accordance with Our Company’s Grievance Procedure.  Verbal or physical abuse by anybody will not be tolerated. Our Company may discipline staff who are found to be abusive. 

1.10 – Policy Framework and Support

Our Company has also developed a number of other policies and practices in support of the achievement of an organisational culture free from unfair bias, discrimination and harassment. In particular Our Company’s Race, Disability and Equality Schemes and action plans to address inequality. Also, Our Company’s Dignity at Work Policy. 

Training

Diversity and Equality awareness raising training will be available for all staff.   

Communication

This policy will normally be available on Our Company’s intranet.  It will also be available, if requested, in different formats (e.g. large print, audio cassette, in braille). This policy will be included in staff induction. 

Monitoring

Statistics will be gathered to monitor equality across all aspects of our processes and will be used to inform future practice. 

Confidentiality

Any information disclosed to Our Company in relation to diversity and equality issues will be kept strictly confidential in accordance with legislative requirements. 11. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed at regular intervals to ensure it remains in line with legislation and Our Company’s organisational principles.