WOMEN LIKE ME INTERNATIONAL LTD (WLM)

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy

Women Like Me is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination.

Our workforce aims to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers and for each employee to feel respected and give their best.

In providing goods and/or services and/or facilities, the organisation is also committed against unlawful discrimination of customers or the public.

The policy’s purpose is to:

Provide equality, fairness and respect for all in our employment, whether temporary, part-time or full-time

Not unlawfully discriminate because the Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation

Oppose and avoid all forms of unlawful discrimination. This includes pay and benefits, terms and conditions of employment, dealing with grievances and discipline, dismissal, redundancy, leave for parents, requests for flexible working, and selection for employment, promotion, training or other developmental opportunities

The organisation commits to:

Encourage equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace as they are good practices and make business sense

Create a working environment free of bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination, promoting dignity and respect for all, and where all staff’s differences and contributions are recognised and valued.

This commitment includes training managers and all other employees about their rights and responsibilities under the equality, diversity and inclusion policy. Responsibilities include staff conducting themselves to help the organisation provide equal opportunities in employment, and prevent bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination.

All staff should understand they and their employer can be held liable for acts of bullying, harassment, victimisation, and unlawful discrimination, in the course of their employment, against fellow employees, customers, suppliers, and the public.

Take complaints of bullying, harassment, victimisation, and unlawful discrimination by fellow employees, customers, suppliers, visitors, the public, and others seriously in the organisation’s work activities.

Such acts will be dealt with as misconduct under the organisation’s grievance and/or disciplinary procedures, and appropriate action will be taken. Severe complaints could amount to gross misconduct and lead to dismissal without notice.

Further, sexual harassment may amount to employment rights and a criminal matter, such as sexual assault allegations. In addition, harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 is a criminal offence, not limited to circumstances where harassment relates to a protected characteristic.

Make opportunities for training, development and progress available to all staff, who will be helped and encouraged to develop their full potential, so WLM can fully utilise their talents and resources to maximise the organisation’s efficiency.

Decisions concerning staff are based on merit (apart from any necessary and limited exemptions and exceptions allowed under the Equality Act).

Review employment practices and procedures when necessary to ensure fairness and update them and the policy to take account of changes in the law.

Monitor the make-up of the workforce regarding information such as age, sex, ethnic background, sexual orientation, religion or belief, and disability in encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion, and in meeting the aims and commitments set out in the equality, diversity and inclusion policy.

Monitoring will also include assessing how the equality, diversity and inclusion policy, and any supporting action plan, are working in practice, reviewing them annually, and considering and addressing any issues.

The equality, diversity and inclusion policy is fully supported by senior management and has been agreed upon with trade unions and/or employee representatives.

Details of the organisation’s grievance and disciplinary policies and procedures can be found in the organisation’s HR handbook. This includes with whom an employee should raise a grievance – usually their line manager.

Use of the organisation’s grievance and/or disciplinary procedures does not affect an employee’s right to claim an employment tribunal within three months of the alleged discrimination.

[Policy Adopted: 01/01/2019] [Policy Last Reviewed and Updated: 17/03/2021]

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