Introduction

As a local authority we have a responsibility to make sure everyone is treated fairly and has the same access to opportunities, no matter what their differences are.

The legal side

When we’re making decisions, the Equality Act 2010 gives us a duty to take into account the need to:

• eliminate discrimination, harassment, and victimisation
• advance equality of opportunity
• foster good relations between different parts of the community.

The act protects people against discrimination on the grounds of protected characteristics.

We are required to consider all individuals in their day-to-day work, in shaping policy and in providing services. This is in line with the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) policy, introduced by the Equality Act 2010.

Protected characteristics

It is your right to not be treated less favourably, or subjected to an unfair disadvantage, because of a protected characteristic.

The law states that someone must not be discriminated or harassed due to any of the nine protected characteristics. These are:

• age
• disability
• gender reassignment
• marriage and civil partnership
• pregnancy and maternity
• race
• religion or belief
• sex
• sexual orientation.

Beyond our legal commitments

We recognise that inclusion goes beyond the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and we consider specifically the experience of care leavers and the armed forces community.

Ultimately, we want everyone to feel included and this relates to how we deliver services and the environment we create for you to carry out your work.

Corporate and workforce equalities

To make sure we support a fair, inclusive and legally compliant organisation, we focus on equality, diversity and inclusion in two distinct but connected areas. These are corporate EDI and workforce EDI. Both of these are guided by the Equality Act 2010, but they have a different purpose:

• Corporate EDI - how we work as a business and the impact we have on residents, communities and partners. It focuses on making sure our services, decisions and leadership are fair, accessible and inclusive for everyone.
• Workforce EDI - how we support and treat our people. It focuses on equal opportunities at work, preventing discrimination, and creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued and able to do their best.