Equality and diversity policy

This section applies to all employees and people seeking work with us. As outlined in our People and Organisational Development, and Employment and Skills strategies, as a local employer we have a key role to play in tackling inequality and discrimination. We positively promote equality of opportunity and inclusion through all of our employment policies and practices, including: recruitment, terms and conditions, learning and development, promotion and when ending employment.

By doing so, we contribute to the creation of a more inclusive and equitable environment where everyone has the chance to succeed and feel valued. These commitments not only benefit our employees, but also strengthen our organisation and the wider community.

We will:

1. provide equality of opportunity to all applicants and prospective applicants through fair and inclusive recruitment and selection procedures
2. recognise that people may experience discrimination due to their protected characteristics, including people with disabilities or from ethnic minority communities. Therefore our selection and retention practices will be designed to overcome this, always taking into consideration our duty to appoint on merit
3. make reasonable adjustments to support employees to succeed in their roles
4. annually publish gender pay gap data and any other pay gap data required by law
5. use the information and feedback we collect to understand more about, and respond to, employees’ experience of working for North Tyneside Council
6. ensure that all employees are considered for promotion on the basis of their merits, abilities and skill, and are given equal opportunities to progress within the Authority
7. create an appropriate balance between work and home commitments to maximise equal opportunities for all, including promoting flexible working where possible
8. aim to give all employees the training and development opportunities needed to attain their full potential to the benefit of North Tyneside Council and themselves
9. ensure that all employees undertake equality, diversity and inclusion training so that they understand its importance in the workplace and in service delivery, and know how to challenge any inappropriate behaviour
10. develop an anti-discriminatory and supportive culture where employees are aware of their rights and enjoy working for North Tyneside Council
11. respond to any allegations of discrimination, victimisation or harassment through appropriate internal processes, including our dignity and respect at work, grievance and disciplinary procedures.