Harrogate Borough Council - Equalities Statement
1. Policy Statement
Harrogate Borough Council is committed to equality in both
employment and service provision. The Council recognises the
diverse nature of the district and endeavours to ensure that
employees, potential employees, contractors, partners, clients and
customers are treated with dignity and respect. The Council opposes
all forms of discrimination and undertakes not to discriminate
unfairly on the grounds of sex, marital status, gender, race,
colour, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, age, sexual
orientation or religion or belief, responsibility for dependents,
social or economic status or criminal record. Every possible step
will be take into account the of the diverse nature of
individuals and ensure that they are treated fairly and decisions
on service provision and employment are based on objective
criteria.
2. Scope
This Policy Statement confirms the Council's commitment to
ensuring equality of access and opportunity and will apply to all
employees, service users and providers. This will include the
Council's customers, contractors, employees and all others who are
involved in the business of the Council.
3. Access to Services
The Council values the diversity of the community and visitors
to the district and wants its services to be accessible to all.
In doing so the Council will strive to ensure fair and equal
treatment by seeking to ensure that the principles of fairness and
equality of opportunity underpin all its policies, procedures and
practices.
4. The policy statement applies to employment, service
provision and policy:-
Employment
The Council is committed to ensuring:-
- That all employees have equal access to
jobs within the Council.
- That all employees have equal
opportunities for training, career development and promotion.
- That all job applicants are treated with
fairness, dignity and respect at every stage of the recruitment and
selection process and in the terms and conditions of
employment.
- That all trainees, secondees and
consultants are treated with fairness and dignity.
- That employees are trained in diversity
and equality awareness.
- That we monitor all recruitment activity
to discover whether we are receiving applications from all sections
of the community and to ensure that the recruitment and selection
process is carried out objectively.
- That employees whose actions contribute to
a breach of any part of this policy are subject to the Council's
disciplinary procedure.
- That all employment policies and
procedures comply with the law and spirit of this policy.
- That we maintain a work environment that
is free of discrimination, harassment and bullying.
Service Provision
The Council is committed to ensuring:-
- That all of the services we are
responsible for, whether provided by our own workforce, in
partnership, or on our behalf, are made available to all service
users with due regard to the principles of equality and
fairness.
- That all service users are treated with
fairness, dignity and respect.
- That our service managers regularly
monitor the service impact on equalities and take appropriate
action.
- That all contractors directly supplying us
with goods or services or executing works for, or on our behalf,
comply with the equal opportunities legislation.
Policy
Our commitment:-
- We will ensure that equal opportunities
and the principles of fairness underpin all aspects of policy,
procedure, service development, consultation and decision
making.
5. Responsibility for the Policy
Overall responsibility for the Policy lies with members and its
implementation rests with the Chief Executive.
Chief Officers and Heads of Service are responsible for the
implementation of the policy in their own service areas.
The Head of Human Resources is responsible for:
- Corporate employment issues within the
scope of the policy.
- Specialist advice.
- Training.
- Monitoring the employment aspects of the
policy.
Employees have the responsibility both morally and legally not
to discriminate against individuals or groups in the course of
their duties and in the course of their employment.
6. Communication of the Policy
A leaflet outlining the key points of the policy and will be
placed in all areas of public access. A copy will be given to all
applicants for jobs.
The policy will be placed on the Internet, intranet and in the
employee handbook.
The Council is committed to the implementation of this policy
statement by:-
- Acting in accordance with all relevant
legislation and codes of practice.
- Making sure that all employees, partners
and Contractors are aware of this policy statement.
- Developing and training our members and
employees to help them recognise equality issues and further
understand their role and responsibilities in achieving
equality.
- Including equality in all management
processes so that it becomes integral to the workings of the
Council.
- Developing effective auditing and
monitoring procedures for services and employment and reporting, at
least once a year, to members, employees and the community on how
we put this policy statement into practice.
- Promoting the principle of equality and
Persity.
7. Monitoring and Review
The Council will monitor its equality policies and procedures to
ensure that they support the Council's commitment.
The Equalities Group will review the Council's progress in
maintaining its commitment towards equality in employment and
service provision.
8. Complaints/Customer Feedback
If you have any complaints or comments about the Council
services you can inform the Council by the referring to the
Council's complaints procedure 'Help Us To Help You'.
9. Alternative Formats
This document is available in alternative formats and can be
obtained by contacting:-
The Human Resources Section
Crescent Gardens,
Harrogate
HG1 2SG
Telephone: 01423 556063