Equality and Diversity

The University is committed to equality of opportunity, both as an employer and as an educational institution and to ensuring that all its employment practices are intrinsically fair, based on individual ability with fair treatment for all.

It aims to attract a diverse and effective workforce with a wide range of abilities, experience and skills. The University aims to operate fair and consistent procedures in respect of recruitment and selection, pay, benefits and awards, staff appraisal, grievance, discipline, transfer and redundancy. The University believes that following a policy of equality of opportunity will benefit and enhance the effectiveness of the whole organisation and improve quality and performance.

All employment decisions will be made with regard only to the requirements of the post and the capabilities of the individual and shall not be influenced by any unlawful consideration of age, colour, disability, family responsibilities, gender identity, marital status, national origins, race or ethnic origin, religious or political beliefs and affiliations, sex, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, or other inappropriate distinction.

The University will therefore provide facilities, advice and support to enable its employees to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to fulfil their roles effectively and develop their potential to meet the University’s future requirements.

The University will comply with all statutory obligations and will also follow the Codes of Practice issued by appropriate equality bodies, including the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Commission for Racial Equality and the Disability Rights Commission.

Aims

The aim of the University’s Equal Opportunities Policy (full copy available on the intranet or from the Human Resources Department) is to ensure equality of opportunity and to prohibit any forms of unlawful, unfair, obvious or hidden discrimination, including harassment on any ground, including age, colour, disability, ethnic or racial origin, gender identity, marital status, nationality, religious or political beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, HIV status, socio-economic class and lawful trade union activity.

No person will be disadvantaged by conditions or requirements that cannot be shown to be justified. Furthermore, the University will take all reasonable steps to make adjustments to premises, working arrangements, working practices and conditions to facilitate the employment and retention of disabled people.

Where an employee becomes disabled, or where an existing disability worsens, the University will make every effort to ensure that the person can continue in his/her employment by making appropriate adjustments to working conditions or arrangements. This will be done in full consultation with the employee in question.

In support of the above aims, the University will:

  • include a reference in all vacancy advertisements to the University’s Equal Opportunities Policy;
  • ensure application packs are available in an alternative format in the instance where an applicant for a post has specific needs;
  • attach a person specification to all job descriptions for advertised posts;
  • ensure that an interview panel comprises of both male and female representatives where possible;
  • undertake regular monitoring exercises.