Equality & diversity policy
Equality & diversity policy
Policy statement
Auricoe Ltd is committed to encouraging diversity and eliminating discrimination in both its role as an employer and as a provider of services. Auricoe Ltd aims to create a culture that respects and values individual differences that promotes dignity, equality and diversity, and encourages individuals to develop and maximise their true potential. We are committed, wherever practicable, to achieving and maintaining a workforce that broadly reflects the international community in which we operate.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to provide equality and fairness for all in our employment and in the provision of employment services and not to discriminate on the grounds of gender, marital status, race, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, religion or age.
Auricoe Ltd opposes all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.
All employees, trustees, volunteers and individuals / organisations, to which we provide our services, be they clients or candidates, part-time, full-time or temporary, will be treated fairly and with respect. Selection for employment, promotion, training, volunteering or any other benefit will be on the basis of skills and ability.
Principles
Auricoe Ltd’s commitment to equality and diversity is:
• To create and promote an environment in which individual differences and the contributions of all our employees, trustees, volunteers and individuals / organisations, to which we provide our services, whether clients or candidates, are recognised and valued.
• To create and promote a working environment that promotes dignity and respect for all. No form of intimidation, bullying or harassment will be tolerated.
• To ensure that training, development and progression opportunities are available to all.
• To promote equality in the workplace as good management practice.
• To regularly review all employment and volunteering practices and procedures to ensure that no job applicants, staff, trustees or volunteers are treated less favourably than others.
• To regularly review services in order to ensure that they are accessible and appropriate to all groups within society.
• To treat breaches of the equality policy seriously and to take disciplinary action when required.
• To provide information and training to all employees, trustees and volunteers so that they are fully aware of the issues relating to Equality and Diversity and their responsibilities relating to it.
• To ensure the policy is fully supported by the Executive Committee.
• To monitor and review the policy annually.
Procedures
Positive action
Auricoe Ltd will act positively in using the Equality and diversity policy as a means of making public its commitment to provide equal opportunities to all present and future employees, trustees and volunteers.
Auricoe Ltd encourages all employees and individuals to which we provide our services, be they clients or candidates, to apply for suitable opportunities and to seek training for promotion or in particular skills.
The Equality and diversity policy forms part of the Staff Handbook and Contract of Employment.
Training in equality and diversity is provided as part of the Induction Programme.
Any form of discrimination by an employee, trustee, volunteer and individual / organisation, to which we provide our services, be they clients or candidates, is treated very seriously and where appropriate will be dealt with using the Disciplinary Procedure.
Auricoe Ltd aims to ensure that its employees reflect the diversity of the population, within its various locations.
Positive discrimination
Positive discrimination is illegal and the recruitment of 'quotas' of particular groups is also illegal.
Discrimination in selection to achieve or secure a balance of persons of different racial groups is also not allowed under the Race Relations Act 1976.
There is an exception, however, which may be appropriate for certain posts in Auricoe Ltd, i.e. when a genuine occupational qualification (GOQ) is necessary or desirable for a particular group or sex. Both the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 allow these exceptions.
Recruitment
Job Descriptions and Person Specifications
Job descriptions and person specifications are prepared for all posts. The job description indicates the responsibilities and tasks to be undertaken by the job holder. The person specification describes the qualifications, skills and abilities required.
A list of preferred criteria may also be prepared. Care will be taken to ensure that neither the description nor the specification are discriminatory on the grounds quoted in the Policy Statement.
Advertising
Auricoe Ltd will use a range of advertising methods in order to attract the widest pool of appropriate applicants. Vacancies for new and existing jobs will normally be advertised internally and externally. All our advertising will:
• Contain the statement 'Organisation Name is an 'Equal Opportunities Employer'.
• Ensure that we do not exclude, discriminate against, or discourage any particular group from applying nor make it difficult for any one from such a group to apply.
• Refer to the job description and person specification in order give information about the requirements of the job.
• Give clear instructions about obtaining the application pack.
Applications and Shortlisting
All applicants will be asked to fill out an application form which contains only information essential and relevant to the appointment. Different formats will be made available. Applications will be shortlisted by at least two people. Shortlisting will be performed on the basis of objective criteria and the extent to which candidates have shown, in the application form, that they meet the required person specification, and can carry out tasks and responsibilities required of the post-holder. Formal qualifications and standards of literacy and numeracy will only be taken into account when they are recognised as necessary for a particular job.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview. Staff and members of Auricoe Ltd responsible for shortlisting, interviewing and selection of candidates will be:
• Clearly informed of selection criteria and the need for their consistent application;
• Given guidance on the effects which generalised assumptions about people from groups quoted in the Policy Statement can have on selection decisions;
• Made aware of the possible misunderstandings that can occur between persons from different cultural backgrounds.
Interviewing
All interviews will be carried out by a minimum of two people, the names and gender of interviewees will be made available in advance.
The questions asked will seek to gather objective evidence in support of the job description and person specification.
The same questions will be asked of all candidates applying for the job. Disabled candidates will be asked if they need support during the interview process or adjustments should they be offered the position.
Notes will be taken and evidence gathered against the job description and person specification.
All candidates will be asked about their eligibility to work.
Selection
All candidates will be scored against the job description and person specification. The highest scoring applicants will be offered the position.
Offers will be made to successful candidates, subject to satisfactory references and other checks, where required.
All unsuccessful candidates will be informed of the result of their application and offered brief feedback.
CRB Policy
For certain positions, we will request enhanced disclosures for all employees, trustees and volunteers. This requirement will be clearly stated in the application pack.
Ex-Offenders
Auricoe Ltd will not discriminate against ex-offenders with unspent convictions, unless required to do so because of the nature of the post. All applications will be considered on an individual basis.
Induction and training
All employees, trustees and volunteers will be required to follow an appropriate induction process to ensure they are equipped to do the job.
All employees, trustees and volunteers will receive training on the Equality and Diversity policy, procedures and action plan as part of their induction.
Recruitment Monitoring
All applicants will be asked to complete an anonymous monitoring form as part of the application pack (to be returned in a separate envelope).
The 2001 Census categories will be used in order to monitor ethnicity of staff (as recommended by the Commission for Racial Equality).
An additional category for Gypsy and Travellers will be included. The monitoring form will monitor age, race, ethnic origin, religion, gender, marital status, disability. Recruitment statistics will be produced on an annual basis and presented to the Executive Committee.
Flexible working
Auricoe Ltd will consider all requests for flexible working arrangements constructively and creatively, taking account of balancing the needs of the organisation with the needs of the individual employee.
Auricoe Ltd will offer a range of flexible working arrangements and will work collaboratively to identify solutions that suit both the individual and the organisation. For further details see the Flexible Working Policy.
Promotion
All vacancies will be advertised internally and externally, where appropriate.
Training
All employees, trustees and volunteers have access to a wide range of training opportunities which are regularly circulated.
Training opportunities will be discussed during supervision sessions and selection for training will be made on the basis of both the needs of the business set out in the Business Plan and the personal development of the individual.
Special needs and requirements for people with disabilities or caring responsibilities will be taken into account whenever practicable and methods sought to help them overcome disabilities in taking up training opportunities.
Staff with management, recruitment and selection responsibilities will be given guidance in the implementation of the Equal and diversity policy to ensure that they understand their position in law and under the Organisation's policy.
Induction training will include an explanation of the Equality Opportunities Policy and a requirement to undertake formal training within the probationary period of employment
Terms and conditions
Annual Leave and Religious Holidays
Auricoe Ltd will not ask about an employee’s religion and will not discriminate against anyone wishing to celebrate their festivals. Employees are required to use part of their annual holiday entitlement to cover time off for these and must follow the normal holiday booking procedure.
Cultural and Religious Needs
Where employees, trustees or volunteers have particular cultural and religious needs, Auricoe Ltd will consider whether it is reasonably practicable to meet these needs while maintaining the efficiency of the business.
People with Disabilities
Auricoe Ltd will make genuine efforts to recruit people with disabilities and take reasonable steps to make the workplace and individual jobs accessible to people with disabilities.
Auricoe Ltd will regularly review its facilities for disabled employees, trustees and volunteers and will try to overcome any problems faced wherever practicable and within reasonable resources available.
Auricoe Ltd will ensure that people have maximum access to employment opportunities and to meetings and events, regardless of any disability.
Grievance and Disciplinary Procedures
Auricoe Ltd will take seriously any complaints of discrimination and will not victimise people who make such complaints.
Staff will be made aware as part of the induction process of their responsibilities in relation to Equality and Diversity and that discriminatory behaviour will be fully investigated and dealt with using the Disciplinary Procedure.
Bullying and Harassment
Auricoe Ltd upholds the right of all employees and volunteers to be treated with respect and dignity and to work in an atmosphere free of bullying and harassment.
All employees and volunteers are responsible for ensuring that their own behaviour is sensitive to others and for ensuring that they do not condone or support the bullying or harassing behaviour of others.
All complaints of bullying and harassment will be treated seriously and should be raised using the Grievance Procedure. All complaints will be investigated and where appropriate, the Disciplinary Procedures will be followed.
Monitoring
Monitoring the Workforce
Employees, trustees and volunteers will be asked to fill out a monitoring form on appointment.
The monitoring forms will be reviewed on an annual basis and statistics presented to the Executive Committee.
Recruitment monitoring – see above
Service Provision
Auricoe Ltd will endeavour to ensure that its services to and for the voluntary sector are sensitive and appropriate to respond to the needs of all groups, whenever practicable, i.e. taking account of the needs of minority groups.
Auricoe Ltd will take care to avoid unintentionally discriminatory passages appearing in published, printed or spoken material.
Auricoe Ltd will continue to take a leading role in combating any form of discrimination.
Auricoe Ltd will work with others to ensure that the diversity of the population in Its various locations is recognised and celebrated.
Responsibility
It is the Directors’ responsibility with the support of the Executive Committee to ensure the implementation of the Equality and diversity policy. Appropriate funds will be sought to implement approved aspects of the Policy which require special and additional resources.
All employees, trustees and volunteers have the individual responsibility to:
• Follow procedures introduced to ensure equal opportunity and non-discrimination;
• To draw the attention of management to suspected or alleged discriminatory practices;
• To refrain from harassing or intimidating other employees, trustees or volunteers, clients or visitors of Organisation Name on any of the grounds cited in the policy statement.