info@gkmsolicitors.co.uk
01768 864651
We are committed to ensuring equality of opportunity and fairness in all areas of employment and to valuing the diversity of our colleagues, clients and people living within our local communities.
We are committed to providing outstanding client service by maintaining the highest standards of professional excellence. We are committed to recruiting, training and promoting the best person for the job and encouraging all our colleagues to reach their full potential, regardless of:-
We are also determined to create a working environment which is free from any form of discrimination, harassment or bullying and within which all individuals are treated with respect, fairness and courtesy.
This policy is endorsed by The Directors of GKM. Mark Graham is responsible for implementing the policy.
We will support and encourage our colleagues in their responsibility to implement this policy by providing training, written information and guidance in our policies and expert guidance and advice, where appropriate.
You are required to comply with the policy in all of your dealings with clients, colleagues and anyone else with whom you come into contact during the course of your employment or engagement. The policy and principles underlining our commitment applies not only when you are working on our premises or at those of any client or contact, but also includes work-related social events, hospitality events and travelling or staying away from home whilst on business. It is everyone's responsibility to ensure the policy is implemented. Any breach of this policy may be treated as a disciplinary offence resulting, if appropriate, in disciplinary action.
This policy applies to everyone working at GKM including employees, partners, temporary or agency workers, trainees, work experience students, secondees, contractors and consultants as well as potential new employees and recruitment candidates. It affects how we work with our clients and our suppliers of goods and services.
This policy covers the following matters:
It accepts and reiterates our responsibilities under UK anti-discrimination and equality legislation and the Human Rights Act 1998.
GKM will ensure that information about job opportunities is circulated as widely as possible in the circumstances to ensure that it reaches all sections of the community. All applications are welcomed and are considered for selection on the relative merits of the applicant against the job and/or person specification for the position regardless of:-
Job and person specifications will only include criteria which are objectively required for the duties and responsibilities of the vacancy and will be drawn up before the recruitment process begins. However, if there is a genuine and lawful reason for limiting the vacancy to a particular group, this reason and the grounds for it will be clearly stated on any advertisements.
We retain the discretion to invite applications from individuals whose job may be at risk of redundancy or who require redeployment for health or disability reasons before advertising the vacancy more widely.
We aim to provide everyone with the appropriate learning and development opportunities to enable them to improve their performance and achieve the performance targets set for them. Opportunities for learning and development are available to everyone based on role/needs of the job and encouraging personal development. Promotion within GKM is based on merit and the reasonable requirements of the job only.
Barristers and other sub-contractors are instructed on the basis of their skills, experience, ability and cost and not on the grounds of age, gender, marital status, race or ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or religious or other beliefs, sexual orientation, social or educational background or family or care responsibilities. We will work closely with the client (involving the Client or Matter Partner as appropriate) to agree the instruction of a barrister or other sub-contractor who is the most appropriate for the matter under consideration.
We ensure that terms and conditions of employment/terms of engagement are free from all forms of direct and indirect discrimination and apply equally regardless of:-
Our grievance and disciplinary procedures will operate without discrimination.
We value the individual contribution of all colleagues and prospective employees from all sectors of the community. We are committed to facilitating the employment of people with disabilities and retaining individuals who become disabled whilst with us wherever practicable and in order to achieve this, we apply the following principles. We will:
Further guidance can be obtained on an entirely confidential basis from a Director. If you know or believe you might be disabled, you are encouraged to discuss this with a Director so that we can ensure you achieve your full potential and that we comply with our responsibilities.
We will ensure that the way in which we purchase goods, services and facilities reflects our commitment to equality and diversity.
A person has been discriminated against if they are treated less favourably than another on the grounds of:-
Discrimination also includes harassment, bullying or victimisation on any of these grounds.
Harassment is unjustified, unreasonable or inappropriate treatment of, or behaviour towards another person which causes them distress, discomfort or worry. Harassment may include bullying. Harassment may be discriminatory when it is on the grounds of another’s:-
Harassment will be unlawful discrimination if:
The following types of behaviour may amount to harassment:
This list gives examples only and is not exhaustive.
The following types of behaviour may amount to sexual harassment:
Again, this list gives examples only and is not exhaustive. Sexual harassment by someone of the same sex as the victim is also covered by this policy.
The following types of behaviour may amount to homophobic bullying and harassment:
Again, this list gives examples only and is not exhaustive.
Any behaviour involving discrimination, victimisation or harassment of another on the grounds of:-
will not be tolerated. Such behaviour may amount to gross misconduct in which case disciplinary action (including dismissal for serious offences) will be taken against any person breaching this policy.
GKM believe that we all have the right to work in an environment which promotes equality of opportunity and prohibits discriminatory practices. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination, victimisation or harassment by or against our people.
We should be fully aware of the behaviour that can constitute discrimination, victimisation and harassment. It is the responsibility of each of us to be sensitive towards the individual needs of all, whether they be related to any disability, cultural or religious background, personal circumstances, or any other relevant factor. We must be conscious of the impact that we have on others and not to discriminate against, harass or bully colleagues or condone discrimination, harassment or bullying by others. All of us must behave in a way that supports this policy and treat each other with respect, courtesy and dignity. If you have experienced behaviour which you believe falls short of the standard we require please refer to our grievance procedure.
All of us must comply with this policy and report any incidents or alleged incidents to Mark Graham or, if the complaint is about Mark Graham, to another Director. Anyone who believes they are the victim of discrimination, victimisation or harassment should where possible raise the matter with the person against whom they have the complaint and attempt to resolve the matter without recourse to any formal procedure. You are encouraged to use the complaints procedure which is part of this policy.
Failure to comply with this policy or to co-operate with it operating effectively is a disciplinary offence which may lead to disciplinary action including dismissal.
In the event of a complaint which falls within this procedure, it is our aim to reach a resolution as quickly as possible and as informally as possible. All complaints will be treated seriously and with appropriate confidentiality.
It is the responsibility of all Directors to ensure the implementation of this policy and to ensure compliance. Where a Director becomes aware of an allegation of discrimination, victimisation or harassment against a colleague or a member of the public in connection with GKM’s' activities, he/she must discuss it with the complainant.
If you feel you have experienced or are experiencing any form of discrimination, harassment or bullying, please consider in the first instance whether it is appropriate to raise the matter directly with the person concerned. If it is not appropriate to do so, or you feel unable to do so, please discuss the matter with Mark Graham or, if the complaint is about Mark Graham, to another Director.
Following initial discussions with Mark Graham, or another Director, you will be asked to choose one of the following options:
No further action necessary
Discuss the complaint directly with the individual who is alleged to have caused offence
Ask Mark Graham or another Director to help you resolve the matter through informal approaches
Make a formal written complaint to Mark Graham or another Director. This will initiate a full investigation and if appropriate, recourse to the disciplinary procedure.
If the alleged discrimination, victimisation or harassment involves a client or an employee of a client, or if an employee of a client is alleged to have acted in a discriminatory or harassing manner, appropriate action to deal with the problem will be discussed with the person making the complaint.
Once a formal written complaint has been made, the first step is to investigate the allegations as carefully and discreetly as possible. This will involve hearing detailed accounts from both parties - others may also be asked to provide information. Documents, emails and other evidence may be considered. A full record of the progress and outcome of the investigation and any steps taken will be reported to the complainant at the earliest opportunity. Those conducting the investigation will not be parties directly involved in the allegation.
In extreme cases (for example, where it is felt that others could be at risk if no action is taken), we may need to investigate and take disciplinary action even if a formal written complaint is not made.
If the investigation concludes that there appears to be substance to the complaint, it will normally be appropriate for the Disciplinary Procedure to be initiated. Modifications to the procedure may be necessary to reflect the sensitive nature of the allegations.
We would normally seek the agreement of the complainant prior to commencing disciplinary action. However, there may be occasions where despite the views of the complainant, we may need to pursue the matter formally. The matter will be dealt with promptly, fairly and impartially. Care will be taken to ensure that the reputation of each party is not unjustly affected during the course of any investigation.
We will protect individuals who make a complaint or assist in an investigation from harassment and victimisation. Any acts of retaliation or intimidation against the complainant will be treated as a disciplinary matter.
If the complaint is not upheld we will advise the individual bringing the allegation and provide an explanation for and the reasoning behind the decision made.
Individuals who maliciously make an unfounded complaint will be subject to disciplinary action.
Any person raising a concern under this policy whether informally or formally will be protected against any adverse treatment from colleagues. It is victimisation to penalise or retaliate against a person who brings complaints of discrimination or harassment in good faith, through any form of less favourable treatment. Any person who does victimise will be subject to disciplinary action, if appropriate and following an investigation. Anyone who considers that they have been victimised should raise this with Mark Graham or, if the allegation of victimisation is made against Mark Graham, another Director, without delay in accordance with the complaints procedure.
Partners who observe harassment, discrimination/victimisation have a duty of care and responsibility to act and should:-
talk to the individual to see if concerns arise;
consider action whether informal or formal in more serious cases
seek appropriate advice if necessary
We are committed to monitoring the effectiveness of this Equality and Diversity Policy and the associated complaints procedure. We undertake to regularly review all our policies, procedures and practices in relation to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment, learning and development opportunities, career development, promotion and grievance and discipline to ensure they comply with any legislative changes and good practice. We will endeavour to identify and take all steps necessary to eliminate any unjustified discrimination or victimisation which is revealed by this monitoring process and which is required to achieve our commitment and vision for equality and diversity.
Annual monitoring of job applications for equality and diversity data collection will be maintained.
