Equal opportunities policy templates

Equal opportunities policies set out an employer's commitment to fairness, and fair working practices, including the measures that a company or organisation will take to help eliminate and prevent unfair treatment at work.

The areas covered include: recruitment; terms and conditions; pay and benefits; promotion and transfer opportunities; training; dismissal; and redundancy. It can also relate to various different types of unfair treatment, including direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation, as well as failure to make reasonable adjustments to remove any disadvantage caused by a disability.

Denying any individual their right to equal opportunity in the workplace is potentially discrimination, which is considered unlawful under the Equality Act 2010.

Here are some UK employment law considerations for implementing equal opportunities policies:

1. The Equality Act 2010: The Equality Act 2010 sets out the legal framework for addressing discrimination and promoting equal opportunities in the workplace. Employers must ensure that their policies and practices are compliant with this legislation.

2. Protected Characteristics: The Equality Act 2010 protects individuals from discrimination based on nine protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. Policies must address all of these characteristics.

3. Recruitment and Selection: Employers must ensure that their recruitment and selection processes are fair and non-discriminatory. Policies should include procedures for shortlisting, interviewing, and making job offers.

4. Training and Development: Employers must provide equal opportunities for training and development to all employees, regardless of their protected characteristics. Policies should include procedures for identifying training needs and providing appropriate training opportunities.

5. Promotion and Career Development: Employers must ensure that promotion and career development opportunities are available to all employees on an equal basis. Policies should include procedures for identifying and selecting candidates for promotion, and for providing support and guidance to employees seeking career development.

6. Harassment and Bullying: Employers must have policies in place to address harassment and bullying in the workplace, and to provide a supportive and inclusive working environment for all employees.

7. Monitoring and Review: Employers should regularly monitor and review their policies and practices to ensure that they are effective in promoting equal opportunities and addressing discrimination. Policies should include procedures for monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of the policies and making improvements where necessary.