Equal Opportunities Policy

1. Equal opportunities statement

Crewsaders is committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment. You and any job applicants will receive equal treatment regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation (Protected Characteristics).

2. About this policy

2.1 This policy sets out our approach to equal opportunities and the avoidance of discrimination at work. It applies to all aspects of employment with us, including recruitment, pay and conditions, training, appraisals, promotion, conduct at work, disciplinary and grievance procedures, and termination of employment.

2.2 This policy has been agreed following consultation with the Directors.

2.3 This policy covers all employees, officers, consultants, contractors, casual workers and agency workers.

2.4 This policy does not form part of any employee’s contract of employment and we may amend it at any time.

3. Who is responsible for this policy?

3.1 Our directors have overall responsibility for the effective operation of this policy and for ensuring compliance with discrimination law. Day-to-day operational responsibility for this policy, including regular review of this policy, has been delegated to Human Resources.

3.2 All managers must set an appropriate standard of behaviour, lead by example and ensure that those they manage adhere to the policy and promote our aims and objectives with regard to equal opportunities. Managers will be given appropriate training on equal opportunities awareness and equal opportunities recruitment and selection best practice when necessary.

3.3 If you are involved in management or recruitment, or if you have any questions about the content or application of this policy, you should contact hr@crewsaders.com.

3.4 This policy is reviewed when necessary by Human Resources or the directors. Recommendations for change should be reported to the Human Resources Department

3.5 Comments, suggestions and queries are encouraged and should be addressed to hr@crewsades.com or to the directors.

4. Discrimination

5.1 Recruitment, promotion, and other selection exercises such as redundancy selection will be conducted on the basis of merit, against objective criteria that avoid discrimination. Shortlisting should be done by more than one person and with the involvement of the Human Resources Department, where possible. Our recruitment procedures should be reviewed regularly to ensure that individuals are treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities.

5.2 Vacancies should generally be advertised to a diverse section of the labour market. Advertisements should avoid stereotyping or using wording that may discourage particular groups from applying.

5.3 We take steps to ensure that our vacancies are advertised to a diverse labour market

5.4 Job applicants should not be asked questions which might suggest an intention to discriminate on grounds of a Protected Characteristic. For example, applicants should not be asked whether they are pregnant or planning to have children.

5.5 Job applicants should not be asked about health or disability before a job offer is made. There are limited exceptions which should only be used with the approval of the Human Resources Department. For example:

(a) Questions necessary to establish if an applicant can perform an intrinsic part of the job (subject to any reasonable adjustments).

(b) Questions to establish if an applicant is fit to attend an assessment or any reasonable adjustments that may be needed at interview or assessment.

(c) Positive action to recruit disabled persons.

(d) Equal opportunities monitoring (which will not form part of the selection or decision-making process). Where necessary, job offers can be made conditional on a satisfactory medical check.

5.6 We are required by law to ensure that all employees are entitled to work in the UK. Assumptions about immigration status should not be made based on appearance or apparent nationality. All prospective employees, regardless of nationality, must be able to produce original documents (such as a passport) before employment starts, to satisfy current immigration legislation. The list of acceptable documents is available from the Human Resources Department or UK Visas and Immigration.

5. Training and promotion and conditions of service

6.1 Training needs will be identified through regular appraisals. You will be given appropriate access to training to enable you to progress within the organisation and all promotion decisions will be made on the basis of merit.

6.2 Our conditions of service, benefits and facilities are reviewed regularly to ensure that they are available to all of you who should have access to them and that there are no unlawful obstacles to accessing them.

6. Termination of employment

7.1 We will ensure that redundancy criteria and procedures are fair and objective and are not directly or indirectly discriminatory.

7.2 We will also ensure that disciplinary procedures and penalties are applied without discrimination, whether they result in disciplinary warnings, dismissal or other disciplinary action.

7. Disabilities

8.1 If you are disabled or become disabled, we encourage you to tell us about your condition so that we can support you as appropriate.

8.2 If you experience difficulties at work because of your disability, you may wish to contact your line manager or the Human Resources Department to discuss any reasonable adjustments that would help overcome or minimise the difficulty. Your line manager or The Human Resources Department may wish to consult with you and your medical adviser about possible adjustments. We will consider the matter carefully and try to accommodate your needs within reason. If we consider a particular adjustment would not be reasonable we will explain our reasons and try to find an alternative solution where possible.

8.3 We will monitor the physical features of our premises to consider whether they might place anyone with a disability at a substantial disadvantage. Where necessary, we will take reasonable steps to improve access.

8. Part-time and fixed-term work

Part-time and fixed-term staff should be treated the same as comparable full-time or permanent staff and enjoy no less favourable terms and conditions (on a pro-rata basis where appropriate), unless different treatment is justified.

9. Breaches of this policy

10.1 We take a strict approach to breaches of this policy, which will be dealt with in accordance with our Disciplinary Procedure. Serious cases of deliberate discrimination may amount to gross misconduct resulting in dismissal.

10.2 If you believe that you have suffered discrimination you can raise the matter through our Grievance Procedure or through our Anti-harassment and Bullying Policy as appropriate. Complaints will be treated in confidence and investigated as appropriate.

10.3 There must be no victimisation or retaliation against staff who complain about discrimination. However, making a false allegation deliberately and in bad faith will be treated as misconduct and dealt with under our Disciplinary Procedure.

10. Related policies

This policy is supported by the following other policies and procedures:

(a) Grievance Procedure.

(b) Disciplinary Procedure.

(c) Whistleblowing Policy.

(d) Maternity, Paternity, Adoption and Shared Parental Leave Policies.

(e) Flexible Working Policy.

(f) Special Leave Policy.

(g) Uniform/ Dress Code.