Equalities and Diversity
The Council policy is to ensure that no job applicant or
employee receives less favourable treatments as a result of a
protected characteristic.
The full Equalities Policy is
available for download.
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 are encouraged from disabled people who have the
necessary abilities for the post. Person specifications
define the qualifications, experience and other skills required in
the post, and only include those factors which are necessary and
justifiable on objective criteria for the satisfactory performance
of the job. Adverts are drafted to avoid any form of
discrimination. Employees will not be discriminated
against in respect of pay and conditions of service. This
applied equally to any benefits, facilities or services which are
provided by the authority.
Training opportunities will be equally available to all
employees. Employees will receive training to help them
to perform their job effectively. 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.
The Council has various family friendly policies and practices
including flexi time, job sharing and career breaks aimed at
improving access to work. Any other form of flexible
working arrangements will be considered. Chief Officers
will not refuse unreasonably applications for flexible working, but
will retain discretion about the final decision.
The Council does not permit sexual or other forms of harassment
of its employees. It will investigate all complaints of
harassment. 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 Equalities Policy will be
subject to the disciplinary procedure.
The Employment of Disabled People
Disabled 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. Disabled employees will be given equal
opportunities with other employees for training and career
development and promotion.
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