Equal Opportunities Statement

Wernick Group is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different cultural perspectives available in a multi-ethnic and diverse society, and where people feel they are respected and valued, and can achieve their potential regardless of race, colour, nationality, national or ethnic origins, sexual orientation, gender, disability or age.

Wernick Group will follow the recommendations of the Statutory Codes of Practice of both the Commission for Racial Equality and the Equal Opportunities Commission, and the Disability Rights Commission's Code of Practice in Employment and Occupation, in their employment policies, procedures and practices.

Equal Opportunity Policy

The aims of this policy are to ensure that:

	No-one receives less favourable treatment, on grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, disability or age; or is disadvantaged by any conditions, requirements, provisions, criteria, procedures or practices that cannot be justified on any other grounds, or victimised for taking action against any form of discrimination or harassment, or instructed or put under pressure to discriminate against, or harass, someone on the above grounds.
	The aim of the policy is to create an organisation that is free of unwanted conduct that violates the dignity of workers or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, offensive, or humiliating environment.
	Opportunities for employment, training and promotion are equally open to male and female candidates, candidates from all racial groups, candidates with or without disabilities, and candidates of any age, and of any sexual orientation, religion or belief.
	Selection for employment, promotion, transfer, training, and access to benefits, facilities and services, will be fair and equitable, and based solely on merit.

This policy applies to all aspects of employment, from recruitment to dismissal and former workers' rights.

We will take the following steps to put the policy into practice and make sure that it is achieving its aims:

1	Simon Reffell, Director will be responsible for the day to day operation of the policy.
2	The policy will be communicated to all workers and job applicants, and will be placed on the company's website.
3	Workers and their representatives will be consulted regularly about the policy, and about related action plans and strategies.
4	All workers are made aware of their rights and responsibilities under the policy, and on how the policy will affect the way they carry out their duties.
5	Managers and workers in key decision-making areas will be trained on the discriminatory effects that provisions, practices, requirements, conditions, and criteria can have on some groups, and the importance of being able to justify decisions to apply them.
6	Complaints about discrimination or harassment in the course of employment will be regarded seriously, and may result in disciplinary action, and even dismissal. The complaints procedure is issued to all employees on joining the Group.
7	Opportunities for employment, promotion, transfer and training will be advertised widely, internally and externally, and all applicants will be welcomed, irrespective of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age, religion or belief.
8	All workers will be encouraged to develop their skills and qualifications, and to take advantage of promotion and development opportunities in the organisation.
9	Selection criteria will be entirely related to the job or training opportunity.
10	We will make reasonable changes to overcome physical and non-physical barriers that make it difficult for disabled employees to carry out their work.
11	We will take a flexible approach to working arrangements. We will consider requests for changes carefully and objectively, and will accommodate them where possible.
12	Information on the ethnic and racial background, gender, disability, and age of each worker and applicant for employment, promotion and training will be collected and analysed, to monitor each stage of the recruitment process. The information will be held in strictest confidence and will only be used to promote equality of opportunity.
13	If the data shows that people from particular groups are under-represented in particular areas of work, lawful positive action training and encouragement may be considered for workers and others from that group, to improve their chances of applying successfully for vacancies in these areas.
14	Grievances, disciplinary action, performance assessment, and terminations of employment, for whatever reason, may also be monitored by gender, racial group, age, disability, religion/belief and sexual orientation.
15	Requirements, conditions, provisions, criteria, and practices will be reviewed regularly, in the light of the monitoring results, and revised if they are found to, or might, unlawfully discriminate on any of the above grounds.
16	All contracts between Wernick Group and contractors to supply goods, materials or services will include a clause prohibiting unlawful discrimination or harassment by contractors and their staff, and by any sub-contractors and their staff. The clause will also encourage contractors and potential contractors to provide equality of opportunity in their employment practices.
17	The effectiveness of the policy will be monitored annually by the Executive Board
18	Clients will be made aware of the policy, and of their right to fair and equal treatment, irrespective of race, colour, nationality, national or ethnic origins, sexual orientation, gender, religion/belief, disability or age.

This policy has been endorsed by David Wernick and has the full support of the Management Teams and Executive Board

The policy was approved on 16 July 2007, following consultation with our employees.

Overall responsibility for the effectiveness of the policy lies with Simon Reffell.

For more information, please contact this person : 01792 321222

D M Wernick
Group Chief Executive