Our policy is to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of their gender, colour, race, nationality, disability, pregnancy and maternity, sexual criteria, ethnic or racial origins, marital status, trade union activity, age, political or religious beliefs or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justified.
Selection criteria and procedures are kept under review to ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and treated on the basis of their relevant abilities and merits. Applications will be encouraged from disabled people who have the necessary abilities for the post.
Job descriptions and associated conditions will relate to the particular job. They will define the qualifications, experience and other skills required in the post, and will only include those factors which are necessary and justifiable on objective criteria for the satisfactory performance of the job.
Recruitment literature will be consistent with the job description, and aimed at as wide a group of suitably qualified and experienced people as possible, and encouraging applications from under-represented groups. Recruitment advertisements will be drafted to avoid any form of discrimination.
Employees will not be discriminated against in respect of pay and conditions of service. This applies equally to any benefits, facilities or services which are provided by the authority's staff.
Training opportunities will be equally available to all employees, whether male or female and irrespective of ethnic origin. Training, education and vocational courses leading to qualifications relevant to their career will be open to all, in order to assist them to achieve their full potential.
We will consider various options to enable women to return to work after maternity leave, so that they are not disadvantaged. In particular, we will ensure that careers can be developed through full access to management training courses and other forms of in-house or external training.
We have adopted a policy on Job Sharing, which allows men and women to apply for employment on a part-time basis, sharing the duties, pay and hours of work with another person. Heads of Service will review all applications for job sharing, but will retain discretion about the final decision.
We will not permit sexual or other forms of harassment of its employees. It will investigate complaints of harassment, which should normally be directed through the Dignity at Work policy and procedure. If the complaint is against the employee's supervising or senior officer, it may be raised directly with the Head of Service or a member of the HR Team.
No-one who brings a complaint or grievance in good faith under the policy will be subject to victimisation or any other detriment as a result of their actions.
Employees who fail to observe the Equal Opportunities Policy will be subject to the disciplinary procedure. Please see the related documents to view the Equality Policy.
The employment of people with disabilities
Applicants will be given full and fair consideration for all types of vacancies.
Wherever possible, the Authority will retain the services of an employee who is, or becomes disabled and, where necessary, provide retraining and redeployment. Employees with a disability will be provided equality of opportunity with other employees for training and career development and promotion.
Policy Review
The policy will be reviewed with Legislative changes.