Procurement tips on Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policies
FREE PROCUREMENT TIPS
This month’s Tips will help you to create an Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy
What is an equal Opportunities Policy?
An Equal Opportunities Policy is designed to guide employers seeking to ensure they comply with the law and good practice in the way in which they treat customers as well as employees.
Is there a legal obligation on employers to have an Equal Opportunities Policy?
There is no strict legal requirement on an employer to adopt such a policy, but organisations that do not have such policies may have difficulty in meeting the standards the law requires, particularly if they were applying for public sector tenders.
What are the key steps that an employer should take in formulating an Equal Opportunities Policy?
Some of the keys steps an employer would need to take are:
- Formulate a draft policy
- List current legislation on discrimination
- Consult with employees on the policy
- Make sure there is responsibility for the policy at appropriate levels
- Monitor and review the policy
What are some of the things that should be included in the policy?
Equal Opportunities policy as a minimum, should define organisational standards in preventing discrimination in the following key areas:
- Sex discrimination
- Race discrimination
- Disability discrimination
- Sexual orientation discrimination
- Age discrimination
- Discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief
- Equal pay
What other matters may an employer wish to include in the policy?
Some of the other matters that an employer may wish to include in such a policy would be:
- Details of the grievance procedure
- A commitment to fair and non-discriminatory recruitment processes
What are the potential consequences for an employer who does not have such a policy?
It will be difficult to persuade a public sector buyer that you should be considered a suitable organisation to be awarded a contract.
Where can an employer obtain help and guidance on drawing up a policy?
There are a number of potential sources of help and assistance including:
- ACAS
- Business Link
- The Equality and Human Rights Commission
What other policies will I need to have in place to quality for public sector tender opportunities?
As a minimum you will need policies on:
- Health & Safety
- Business Continuity
- Environmental Sustainability
- Quality
If you need any help with essential policies to include in PQQ’s or any other aspect of bidding for public sector work you can get it FREE by contacting Chris Beety on 07803182459 Email cvlchris@o2.co.uk
The Procurement Guru
