Equal Opportunities Policy - Discrimination at work

The Company is committed to the promotion of equal opportunities for all staff, and its policy on equal opportunities reflects this.
The Company aims to ensure that no employee or job applicant receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of:

Sex
Sexual orientation
Marital Status
Race
Colour
Nationality
Religous beliefs
Disability
Age

Guiding Principles
As a good employer the Company seeks to be just and equitable to all staff and the wider community which it serves.
The Company's competitive advantage depends upon the quality of its products and services. This can best be maintained and developed by fully utilising the skills and potential of all staff. It is therefore, crucial that the Company's employment climate is free of the damaging barriers of discrimination and stereotyping.

Policy for those with disabilities
The Company is committed to giving full and fair consideration to members of staff with disabilities and to those with disabilities who apply for employment. In order to do this, full account will be taken of any reasonable adjustment which it is appropriate to make to provide employment opportunities and then to provide training, career development and promotion opportunities on the same basis for those with disabilities as for those without.

Harassment policy
The Company believes that it is the right of every member of staff to be able to work in an environment free from harassment and intimidation and every effort is made to provide a working environment where employees are treated with dignity and respect.
Allegations of harassment will be treated seriously and confidentially and may result in disciplinary action being taken against the perpetrator.

Equal Opportunities is:
. Working in an environment which is free from discrimination.
. Recognising, accepting and valuing people's differences.
. Treating all individuals fairly - without bias or prejudice and free from stereotyping. This applies to all recruitment, promotion and career development decisions.
.Supporting and using all available talent.
.Pulling together to ensure that equal opportunities really works.
Equal Opportunities is not:
.Lowering of standards in any way.
.Pretending everyone is the same.
Giving certain groups an unfair advantage in the workplace because they belong to a minority Company, which would itself be discrimination.

Responsibilities
Managers:
should ensure that the law is effectively implemented, thus minimising the Company's legal vulnerability.
should ensure that policy guidelines become part of our normal working practices.
should promote a positive equal opportunities environment.
should treat allegations of discrimination, including harassment, seriously and take appropriate action which could involve use of the Company's disciplinary procedure, where required.
Staff:
Are expected to respond in ways which support the policy, ensuring there is no discrimination or harassment against other staff, job applicants, customers or suppliers.