We are is committed to ensuring the consistent profitable growth of the Company and see an effective equal opportunities and diversity policy as part of that commitment. We must recruit, train and develop the people most suited to our businesses, basing our judgements on the aptitudes and abilities of the individual and on the requirement of the job concerned.
"Equal Opportunities" is about the elimination of unlawful and unfair discrimination against certain groups, which have been treated less favourably in the past on the basis of group based characteristics unrelated to job performance, e.g. sex, ethnicity and disability. Ensuring equality of opportunity for all, regardless of background, is a necessary (though not sufficient) condition to achieve diversity.
"Diversity" is about acknowledging and appreciating all the ways in which people differ, not just the more obvious ones e.g. gender, ethnicity and disability, but also the less visible differences such as background, personality and work style. It is about using these differences to enhance creativity, innovation and productivity. Managing diversity is about managing people who may be neither like you nor who necessarily aspire to be like you, but who can make an effective contribution to the Company.
Taking into account the employment legislation and our commitment to acknowledging and appreciating diversity, it is the Company's policy to treat all employees and job applicants fairly and equally regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, union membership status, and also the less visible differences such as background, personality and work style. Furthermore the Company will ensure that no requirements or condition will be imposed without justification, which could disadvantage individuals purely on any of the above grounds.
The policy applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment including discipline and dismissal.