Appendix 2
Code of Practice on Equal Opportunities in Employment
Aims
The Council opposes all discrimination in employment on the grounds of race, ethnic or national origin, religion, age, sexual and marital status and disability. The Council will comply with statutory obligations placed on it by anti-discriminatory legislation.
The sole valid criteria for employment will be merit and all job applicants will be considered equally on that basis.
Guiding Principles
Recruitment and Retention
- Applicants from groups currently under represented in the workforce will be positively encouraged.
- No applicants will be placed at a disadvantage by a requirement or condition which has a disproportionately adverse effect on their personal status.
- Positive steps will be taken to provide increased employment opportunities for people with disabilities and to find suitable alternative employment elsewhere within the Council for existing employees who become disabled in the course of their employment with the Council.
- The Council guarantees to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a job vacancy.
- It is the Council's policy that employees retire at age 65. Outwith the scope of that policy, dates of birth will play no part in employment decisions.
- Information provided at the application stage concerning an applicants race, ethnic or national origin, religion, age, sexual or marital status will be used for monitoring purposes only and will play no part in any employment decisions.
Training and Development
- Where appropriate, this Code of Practice will form an integral part of Council training to provide employees with an awareness and an appreciation of the importance of equality of opportunity for everyone.
- Training on how to recognise discrimination and harassment in the workplace will be made available to employees. The Council will endeavour to raise awareness amongst its employees of this type of behaviour.
- Positive measures will be taken to encourage the development of internal support networks for women within the Council.
- All Council training will be assessed to ensure that its content and delivery is in accordance with this Code of Practice.
- All employees will have equal access to information on training and development opportunities offered by the Council.
Conditions of Employment
- The Council will ensure that where practicable, employees with disabilities are provided with the necessary support and equipment to enable them to carry out their duties and responsibilities efficiently in a safe working environment.
- Remuneration will be based on qualifications, skill and relevant experience.
- All employees will have the opportunity to raise issues in relation to their working arrangements, training and development needs and any other condition of their employment regardless of their race, ethnic or national origin, religion, age, sexual and marital status and disability.
- The Council will endeavour to ensure that its terms and conditions of employment are sensitive to, and do not indirectly discriminate against any employee on the grounds of their race, ethnic or national origin, religion, age, sexual and marital status and disability.
- Positive practices will be developed to assist employees in the balance of working and personal responsibilities.
- The Council will ensure that procedures adopted to grade jobs within the Council do not discriminate on the grounds of sex.
Implementation
- Responsibility for the initial implementation and continuous development of this code lies with the Director of Personnel. The responsibility for the day to day operation of the code lies with the Council's Departmental Directors and Heads of Service.
Monitoring
- All aspects of this code will be monitored in accordance with the Council's Code of Practice on Monitoring Equal Opportunities.
Complaints
- Any employee or job applicant who considers that they may have been treated unfairly or discriminated against in relation to this Code of Practice may raise a complaint through the Council's Corporate Complaints Procedure.