During the recruitment process you must make sure you are being an equal opportunity employer.  

How to be an equal opportunity employer:  

Representation matters. Make sure that you are recruiting people from all backgrounds, showing that your workplace is a safe place for marginalised groups by including advertising that reaches all, showing evidence of diverse employment, promoting employment within communities that are underrepresented and encouraging any changes that can be made to suit the needs of all possible employees. This could include advertising flexible hours to suit those with children.  

The Equality Act 2010 ensures that all those within the ‘protected characteristics’ who are applying for a job/receiving and interview are treated equally. Protected characteristics include:

• Age
• Gender
• Gender Reassignment
• Race
• Sexual Orientation
• Pregnancy and Maternity
• Religion and Belief
• Disability

This act also covers both direct and indirect discrimination which can be found in the workplace. 

Direct discrimination can look like, not employing someone because you think they are gay, regardless of if they are or not – showing discrimination of sexual orientation  

Indirect discrimination applies to all the protected characteristics apart from pregnancy and maternity. Indirect discrimination can look like a requirement for a certain height that is not needed for the job to be carried out, showing discrimination against women as generally shorter than men.  

Preventing discrimination 

The first step you can take is to educate all workers on what direct and indirect discrimination is, how to spot it and how to face it. You can do this by offering training to employees which you can buy HERE at Halo Staffing.  

Encourage your employees to confront any discriminatory behaviour in a calm, confident manner and speak to those that can take further action. 

Make sure that all policies within your workplace are up to date and your staff is aware of these policies, including any changes that may be made to them. 

Create an environment where everyone feels that they can come to you if there are any concerns and provide plans that are inclusive and catered to everyone’s needs as a whole and to the needs of everyone.  

To be able to make changes you will have to monitor ways you can review, revise and redesign the goals and beliefs of your workplace. By doing this you will also employee those fit to work within your company as these people should also align with the set goals and beliefs of the company. This creates an environment where there is an increase in support and encouragement from everyone within the company, not just a few.  

You will have to be intentional to be an equal opportunity employer by targeting areas that need change. Be aware of the challenges faced by those you employ, both in the workplace and outside.  

Make sure that you and your workplace is inclusive in all that you do within your work environment. If needed make any adjustments and address any discrimination that is shown, if you or anyone you work with hears/sees something that is wrong speak up, do not look the other way or avoid the situation. If not addressed these problems will persist and carry on existing. 

Understand that the growth made today is sustained in the future and therefore it is important that opportunities for all are available.