Equal Opportunities Policy

DATED

01 October 2023

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY

CLAUSE

1. Equal opportunities statement......................................................................................... 1

2. About this policy............................................................................................................. 2

3. Discrimination ................................................................................................................ 3

4. Recruitment and selection............................................................................................... 4

5. Disabilities ...................................................................................................................... 5

6. Part-time and fixed-term work........................................................................................ 6

7. Breaches of this policy.................................................................................................... 71

1. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES STATEMENT

Andhouse is committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment. You and

any job applicants will receive equal treatment regardless of age, disability, gender

reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour,

nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation

(Protected Characteristics).

2. ABOUT THIS POLICY

2.1 This policy sets out our approach to equal opportunities and the avoidance of

discrimination at work. It applies to all aspects of employment with us, including

recruitment, pay and conditions, training, appraisals, promotion, conduct at work,

disciplinary and grievance procedures, and termination of employment.

2.2 Martin Anderson, Director is responsible for this policy and any necessary training on

equal opportunities.

2.3 This policy does not form part of any employee's contract of employment, and we

may amend it at any time.

3. DISCRIMINATION

3.1 You must not unlawfully discriminate against or harass other people including current

and former employees, job applicants, clients, customers, suppliers and visitors. This

applies in the workplace, outside the workplace (when dealing with customers,

suppliers or other work-related contacts), and on work-related trips or events

including social events.

3.2 The following forms of discrimination are prohibited under this policy and are

unlawful:

(a) Direct discrimination: treating someone less favourably because of a

Protected Characteristic. For example, rejecting a job applicant because of

their religious views or because they might be gay.

(b) Indirect discrimination: a provision, criterion or practice that applies to

everyone but adversely affects people with a particular Protected

Characteristic more than others, and is not justified. For example, requiring

a job to be done full-time rather than part-time would adversely affect

women because they generally have greater childcare commitments than

men. Such a requirement would be discriminatory unless it can be justified.2

(c) Harassment: this includes sexual harassment and other unwanted conduct

related to a Protected Characteristic, which has the purpose or effect of

violating someone's dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading,

humiliating or offensive environment for them. Harassment is dealt with

further in our Anti-harassment and Bullying Policy.

(d) Victimisation: retaliation against someone who has complained or has

supported someone else's complaint about discrimination or harassment.

(e) Disability discrimination: this includes direct and indirect discrimination,

any unjustified less favourable treatment because of the effects of a

disability, and failure to make reasonable adjustments to alleviate

disadvantages caused by a disability.

4. RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION

4.1 Recruitment, promotion and other selection exercises such as redundancy selection

will be conducted on the basis of merit, against objective criteria that avoid

discrimination. Shortlisting should be done by more than one person if possible.

4.2 Vacancies should generally be advertised to a diverse section of the labour market.

Advertisements should avoid stereotyping or using wording that may discourage

particular groups from applying.

4.3 Job applicants should not be asked questions which might suggest an intention to

discriminate on grounds of a Protected Characteristic. For example, applicants should

not be asked whether they are pregnant or planning to have children.

4.4 Job applicants should not be asked about health or disability before a job offer is

made, except in the very limited circumstances allowed by law: for example, to check

that the applicant could perform an intrinsic part of the job (taking account of any

reasonable adjustments), or to see if any adjustments might be needed at interview

because of a disability. Where necessary, job offers can be made conditional on a

satisfactory medical check. Health or disability questions may be included in equal

opportunities monitoring forms, which must not be used for selection or decision-

making purposes.

5. DISABILITIES

If you are disabled or become disabled, we encourage you to tell us about your

condition so that we can consider what reasonable adjustments or support may be

appropriate.3

6. PART-TIME AND FIXED-TERM WORK

Part-time and fixed-term employees should be treated the same as comparable full-

time or permanent employees and enjoy no less favourable terms and conditions (on a

pro-rata basis where appropriate), unless different treatment is justified.

7. BREACHES OF THIS POLICY

7.1 We take a strict approach to breaches of this policy, which will be dealt with in

accordance with our Disciplinary Procedure. Serious cases of deliberate

discrimination may amount to gross misconduct resulting in dismissal.

7.2 If you believe that you have suffered discrimination you can raise the matter through

our Grievance Procedure or Anti-harassment and Bullying Policy. Complaints will be

treated in confidence and investigated as appropriate.

7.3 You must not be victimised or retaliated against for complaining about

discrimination. However, making a false allegation deliberately and in bad faith will

be treated as misconduct and dealt with under our Disciplinary Procedure.

7.4 This policy is reviewed annually

ANDHOUSE C&P LIMITED

MANAGING DIRECTOR

SIGNATURE REDACTED FOR GDPR

MARTIN ANDERSON