Diversity & Equal Opportunity Policy

Somerset Education Alliance LTD (SEA LTD) 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 customers, and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. The organisation – in providing goods and/or services and/or facilities – is also committed against unlawful discrimination of customers or the public.

Our policy's purpose

This 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 of the Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics of:

age
disability
gender reassignment
marriage or civil partnership
pregnancy and maternity
race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin)
religion or belief
sex
sexual orientation

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 development opportunities

Our commitments

The organisation commits to:

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

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, 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, customers, suppliers and the public.

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

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

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 the organisation.
Make decisions concerning staff based on merit (apart from in any necessary and limited exemptions and exceptions allowed under the Equality Act).
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.
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 taking action to address any issues.

Agreement to follow this policy

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

Our disciplinary and grievance procedures

Details of the organisation’s grievance and disciplinary policies and procedures can be found at in SEA LTD’s staff handbook. This includes with whom an employee should raise a grievance – usually their line manager.
Use of the organisation’s grievance or disciplinary procedures does not affect an employee’s right to make a claim to an employment tribunal within 3 months of the alleged discrimination.