Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
Introduction
We are an equal opportunities organisation. We are committed to equality of opportunity and to providing a service, following practices which are free from unfair and unlawful discrimination. The aim of this policy is to ensure that no employee, supplier, consultant or client receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be relevant. It seeks also to ensure that no person is victimised or subjected to any form of bullying or harassment.
We value people as individuals with diverse opinions, cultures, lifestyles and circumstances. Policies and practices are monitored and amended if necessary to ensure that no unfair or unlawful discrimination, intentional, unintentional, direct or indirect, overt or latent exists.
The Directors have responsibility for implementing and monitoring the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy and, as part of this process, all people-related policies and procedures are administered with the objective of promoting equality of opportunity and eliminating unfair or unlawful discrimination.
Equality of opportunity, valuing diversity, an inclusive culture and compliance with the law is to the benefit of all individuals working with our Company as it seeks to develop the skills and abilities of its people and provide a fair service to our clients. While specific responsibility for eliminating discrimination and providing equality of opportunity lies with the Directors, all individuals have a responsibility to treat others with dignity and respect. The personal commitment of every employee, sub-contractor or consultant to this policy and application of its principles are essential to eliminate discrimination and provide equality and inclusivity throughout the Company.
Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion commitment
The Company is committed to:
- creating an environment in which individual differences and the contributions are recognised and valued
- entitling every employee, worker, self-employed contractor or consultant to a working environment that promotes dignity and respect to all. No form of intimidation, bullying or harassment will be tolerated
- providing training, development and progression opportunities to all employees and workers
- understanding equality and inclusion in the workplace is good management practice and makes sound business sense
- reviewing all our employment practices and procedures to ensure fairness.
- reviewing all our practices and procedures for selecting self-employed contractors or consultants to join the Company to ensure fairness.
Our commitment to our clients
The Company is committed to:
- providing services to which all clients are entitled regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, offending past, caring responsibilities or social class
- making sure our services are delivered equally and meet the diverse needs of our clients by assessing and meeting the diverse needs of our clients
- monitoring and reviewing this policy annually
- having clear procedures that enable our clients, candidates for jobs, employees, workers, self-employed contractors or consultants to raise a grievance or make a complaint if they feel they have been unfairly treated
- treating breaches of our equality, diversity and inclusion policy as employee or worker misconduct which could lead to disciplinary proceedings
- encouraging all employees, workers, consultants and self-employed contractors to come forward with any issues they need Company assistance and understanding with, no matter their background, identity or circumstances, such as if they are victims of domestic abuse or have caring commitments.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy Statements
Age
We will:
- ensure that people of all ages are treated with respect and dignity
- ensure that people of working age are given equal access to our employment, training, development and promotion opportunities and
- challenge discriminatory assumptions about younger and older people.
Disability
We will:
- provide any reasonable adjustments to ensure disabled people have access to our services and employment opportunities
- challenge discriminatory assumptions about disabled people and
- seek to continue to improve access to information by ensuring appropriate systems, facilities, alternative formatting and sign language interpretation.
Race
We will:
- challenge racism wherever it occurs
- respond swiftly and sensitively to racists incidents and
- actively promote race equality in the Company.
Sex
We will:
- challenge discriminatory assumptions about women and men
- take positive action to redress the negative effects of discrimination against women and men
- offer equal access for women and men to representation, services, employment, training and pay and encourage other organisations to do the same.
Gender reassignment
We will:
- provide support to prevent discrimination against transsexual people who have or who are about to undergo gender reassignment
- prohibit and respond to all instances of discrimination, both from colleagues and externally.
Sexual orientation
We will:
- ensure that we take account of the needs of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals
- promote positive images of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals.
Religion or belief
We will:
- ensure that employees’ religion or beliefs and related observances are respected and accommodated wherever possible
- respect people’s beliefs where the expression of those beliefs does not impinge on the legitimate rights of others.
Pregnancy or maternity
We will:
- ensure that people are treated with respect and dignity and that a positive image is promoted regardless of pregnancy or maternity
- challenge discriminatory assumptions about the pregnancy or maternity of our employees
- ensure that no individual is disadvantaged and that we take account of the needs of our employees’ pregnancy or maternity.
Marriage or civil partnership
We will:
- ensure that people are treated with respect and dignity and that a positive image is promoted regardless of marriage or civil partnership;
- challenge discriminatory assumptions about the marriage or civil partnership of our employees
- ensure that no individual is disadvantaged and that we take account the needs of our employees’ marriage or civil partnership.
Ex-offenders
We will prevent discrimination against our employees regardless of their offending background (except where there is a known risk to children or vulnerable adults).
Equal pay
We will ensure that all employees and workers, male or female, have the right to the same contractual pay and benefits for carrying out the same work, work rated as equivalent work or work of equal value.
Unconscious bias
The Company recognises the dangers of unconscious bias arising at work, which is where an opinion is formed on an individual by a manager, Director or colleague without them necessarily being aware they have formed it.
There are many different forms of unconscious bias, ranging from an affinity towards those of a similar background to placing too much significance on what has been identified as a negative trait.
The organisation will work against forms of unconscious bias in all decisions taken for employment, including recruitment, promotion and training opportunities, with a focus on promoting diversity and inclusion.
In particular, the Company will implement the following:
- Omitting all personal questions from job interviews
- Maintaining a diverse panel to make decisions
- Referring to specific job criteria when making recruitment decisions
- Discounting any favourable personal relationships with staff.
Grievances and complaints
All allegations of discrimination or victimisation will be dealt with seriously, confidentially and without undue delay. The Company will not ignore or dismiss grievances or complaints about unlawful discrimination from employees, workers, consultants, self-employed contractors or clients. Such complaints should be raised promptly under the terms of the Company’s grievance procedure.
Employees will not be penalised for raising a grievance, even if it is not upheld, unless the complaint was both untrue and made in bad faith.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer
Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer is Dr Anna Molony.
January 2025
The IP Inclusive EDI Charter
We are signatories of the IP Inclusive EDI Charter:
We commit to supporting equality, diversity and inclusion by:
- Having in place a named individual within our organisation as Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer. This person will be sufficiently senior to make change happen and to be accountable for our progress.
- Having in place a written Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy for our organisation and making everybody in the organisation aware of it.
- Promoting openness and transparency so as to demonstrate merit-based equal opportunities in our recruitment and career progression processes.
- Acknowledging the effects of unconscious bias and introducing measures to tackle it.
- Monitoring and reporting internally on our progress using measures and at intervals that are appropriate to our size and nature.
- Sharing our experience within the IP Inclusive community to help build an effective network for equality, diversity and inclusion across the IP sector.
Further information about IP Inclusive can be found here: https://ipinclusive.org.uk/