Step believes that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect in the workforce. We have adopted an equal opportunities policy which commits us to fair, unbiased and objective employment practices and a work environment which is free of harassment and victimisation.
The aim of the policy is to encourage harmony and respect amongst individuals so as to promote good working practices. We understand that diversity and inclusion at work is about recognising and appreciating that every individual is different. If equal opportunities are not applied, then valuable talent and potential are wasted. Moreover, when unfair discrimination, harassment, bullying or victimisation take place, they bring about a climate of fear, insecurity and poor work performance.
The Company recognises and accepts its legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010. Under this Act, age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are protected characteristics. Employees, other workers and applicants for employment who have one or more of these characteristics are protected from all forms of unlawful discrimination in the workplace and during the recruitment process, including: direct and indirect discrimination; discrimination by association; discrimination by perception; discrimination arising from disability; harassment; and victimisation.
Step seeks to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse community at large because the Company values the individual contribution of people irrespective of any Protected Characteristics. We work closely with our clients to ensure we source and recruit from a truly diverse talent pool. This enables us to support our clients’ diversity strategies and provide them with the best possible candidates for the roles they are seeking to fill.
Step will make reasonable adjustments to its recruitment and selection arrangements and procedures to ensure that no applicant for employment is disadvantaged because of a disability. Whenever reasonable and practicable, the Company will make adjustments to retain disabled workers in its workforce. This may include making reasonable adjustments to working arrangements and practices, making changes to the physical environment and/or providing auxiliary aids and services.
Step will provide training in equal opportunities and undertakes to distribute and publicise this policy statement to all employees and elsewhere as from time to time appropriate.
Step’s commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Step is committed to:
- promoting equality of opportunity and fair participation in employment for all persons;
- eliminating occurrences of unlawful direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, disability discrimination, victimisation and harassment;
- promoting a good and harmonious working environment in which all persons are treated with dignity and respect;
- taking lawful affirmative or positive action, where appropriate;
- fulfilling all its legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the associated codes of practice;
- complying with this Diversity policy and associated policies; and
- regarding all breaches of this Diversity policy as misconduct, which could lead to disciplinary proceedings.