Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy – Updated August 2024
SENDirect is firmly committed to promoting a culture of equality and diversity across all aspects of our business. We ensure that all employees and job seekers are treated fairly and equally in every business activity, without any discrimination based on age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, nationality, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion, or belief.
All staff at SENDirect are required to uphold this policy. Any breach of this policy, including acts of unlawful discrimination, will result in disciplinary action. Serious breaches will be treated as gross misconduct and will be thoroughly investigated. False allegations will also be subject to disciplinary action. We have a zero-tolerance approach to both direct and indirect discrimination.
SENDirect places a strong emphasis on ensuring equal opportunities in recruitment, selection, promotions, transfers, training, employment terms, benefits, facilities, services, grievances, disciplinary procedures, dismissals, and redundancies.
Harassment
Every employee at SENDirect has the right to work in an environment free from harassment. We are committed to providing a workplace that is free from any form of unlawful harassment. Harassment, as defined by law, includes any unwanted conduct that violates an individual’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment. This includes behavior of a sexual nature. Harassment typically becomes an issue when the behavior continues after it has been clearly indicated that it is unwelcome. Anyone found violating this policy will face disciplinary action, which could lead to dismissal or termination of contract.
Examples of prohibited harassment include, but are not limited to:
– Physical conduct such as assault, unwanted touching, or interference based on sex, race, or any other protected characteristic.
– Jokes, offensive language, gossip, slander, or offensive songs.
– Offensive posters, photographs, cartoons, drawings, or gestures.
– Offensive emails, screensavers.
– Coercion for sexual favors.
– Isolation, exclusion, or pressure to participate in political or religious groups.
– Pestering, spying, or stalking.
All employees are expected to adhere to SENDirect’s harassment policy, and any breach will result in appropriate disciplinary actions.
Victimisation
Victimisation occurs when an employee is treated unfairly, such as being denied a training opportunity or promotion, because they have raised or supported a complaint of unlawful discrimination, initiated employment tribunal proceedings, or provided evidence in discrimination cases involving another employee. However, protection does not extend to those who give false evidence or make false allegations in bad faith.
SENDirect will take all necessary steps to eliminate victimisation in every aspect of employment.
Disabled Persons
SENDirect is committed to ensuring that disabled individuals, whether employees or job seekers, can participate in all activities on an equal basis with able-bodied individuals. We will make reasonable adjustments as needed and will not discriminate against disabled individuals in recruitment and selection. SENDirect is dedicated to providing career opportunities for people with disabilities and will make every practical effort to accommodate the needs of our staff, candidates, and clients.
