Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION POLICY

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

The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and our clients, and for each employee, freelancer, and contractor to feel respected and able to give their best.

We are also committed against unlawful discrimination of clients or the public.

Our Policy’s Purpose

This policy’s purpose is to:
1. Provide equality, fairness and respect for all in our employment, whether permanent, temporary, or freelance.
2. Not unlawfully discriminate because of 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
• sexual orientation
3. Oppose and avoid all forms of unlawful discrimination. This includes in:
• pay and benefits
• terms and conditions of employment
• dealing with grievances and discipline
• dismissal
• redundancy
• leave for parents
• requests for flexible working
• selection for employment, promotion, training, or other developmental opportunities

Our Commitments

AngloCanto commits to:
1. Encourage equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace as they are good practice and make business sense.
2.1. Create a working environment free of bullying, harassment, victimisation, and unlawful discrimination, promoting dignity and respect for all, and where individual differences and the contributions of all staff are recognised and valued.
2.2. This commitment includes all people working for AngloCanto about their rights and responsibilities under the equality, diversity, and inclusion policy. Responsibilities include staff conducting themselves to help AngloCanto provide equal opportunities in employment, and prevent bullying, harassment, victimisation, and unlawful discrimination.
2.3. All staff should understand they, as well as their employer, can be held liable for acts of bullying, harassment, victimisation, and unlawful discrimination, in the course of their employment, against fellow employees, freelancers, contractors, clients, and the public.
3.1. Take seriously complaints of bullying, harassment, victimisation, and unlawful discrimination by fellow employees, freelancers, contractors, clients, the public, and any others in the course of AngloCanto’s work activities.
3.2. Such acts will be dealt with as misconduct under AngloCanto’s disciplinary procedures and appropriate action will be taken. Particularly serious complaints could amount to gross misconduct and lead to dismissal without notice.
3.3. Further, sexual harassment may amount to both an employment rights matter and a criminal matter, such as in sexual assault allegations. In addition, harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 – which is not limited to circumstances where harassment relates to a protected characteristic – is a criminal offence.
4. Make opportunities for training, development, and progress available to all staff, who will be helped and encouraged to develop their full potential, so their talents and resources can be fully utilised to maximise the efficiency of AngloCanto.
5. Make decisions concerning staff being based on merit.
6. Review employment practices and procedures when necessary to ensure fairness, and also update them and the policy to take account of changes in the law.
7.1. 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.
7.2. 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 taking action to address any issues.