Equal Opportunities Policy

1. Introduction

Adapt Ltd welcomes the opportunity to provide equal opportunities to all persons without discrimination. This policy sets out the organisation's position on equal opportunity, and provides guidance and encouragement to employees at all levels to act fairly and prevent discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, marital status, disability as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, part-time, associate and fixed term contract status, age, sexual orientation or religion.

2. Definition of Discrimination

(a) Discrimination can be direct or indirect. Both forms of discrimination shall be avoided. (b) Direct discrimination occurs when one person is treated less favourably than another on grounds relating to sex, race, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion. (c) Indirect discrimination occurs where a requirement is imposed which can be complied with by a smaller proportion of persons of a particular sex, race, marital status, disability, age, part-time or fixed term contract status, sexual orientation or religion, than persons in another group and which is not objectively justifiable in the given situation.

3. Statement of policy

(a) It is the policy of Adapt Ltd to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of sex, race, marital status, disability, age, part-time, associate and fixed term contract status, sexual orientation or religion, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements that cannot be shown to be justifiable. The organisation is committed not only to its legal obligations but also to the positive promotion of equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment. (b) Adapt Ltd recognises the great benefits in having a diverse workforce with different backgrounds, solely employed on ability. (c) The application of recruitment, training, and promotion policies to all individuals will be on the basis of job requirements and the individual’s ability and merits. (d) All employees of the organisation will be made aware of the provisions of this policy.

4. Recruitment

(a) All descriptions and specifications for positions will include only requirements that are necessary and justifiable for the effective performance of the job. (e) All selection will be thorough, conducted against defined criteria and will deal only with the applicant’s suitability for the job. Where it is necessary to ask questions relating to personal circumstances, these will be related purely to job requirements and asked to all candidates.

5. Employment

(a) Adapt Ltd will not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, marital status, disability, age, part-time, associate or fixed term contract status, sexual orientation or religion in the allocation of duties between employees or associates employed at any level with comparable job descriptions. (b) Adapt Ltd will put in place any reasonable measures and/or adjustments within the workplace for those employees who become disabled during employment or for disabled appointees. (c) All employees will be considered solely on their merits for career development and promotion with equal opportunities for all.

6. Training

(a) Employees will be provided with appropriate training regardless of sex, race, marital status, disability, age, part-time or fixed term contract status, sexual orientation or religion. (b) All clients, delegates, associates and partners will be afforded the same respect and rights, regardless of sex, race, marital status, disability, age, part-time, associate or fixed term contract status, sexual orientation or religion .

7. Monitoring

(a) It is the responsibility of the Director to ensure that all aspects of this policy are kept under review and are operated throughout the organisation. (b) Where it appears that applicants/employees are not being offered equal opportunities, circumstances will be investigated to identify any policies or criteria which exclude or discourage certain employees and, if so, whether these are justifiable.

8. Grievances and victimisation

(a) Adapt Ltd emphasises that discrimination is unacceptable conduct which may lead to disciplinary action under the organisations Disciplinary Procedure. (b) Any complaints of discrimination will be pursued through the organisation’s Grievance Procedure.