Equality & Diversity
This Equality and Diversity Policy applies to all our employees, job applicants and to individuals such as agency staff, consultants and volunteers who are not our employees, but who work for us (our workers).
Recruitment, selection and progression
We are committed to avoiding discrimination and promoting equality and diversity in all our dealings with our clients, our workers and third parties, in employment and partnership, recruitment and selection, training and conditions of service and progression, the delivery of services to clients and in the instruction of barristers and experts. We value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability or age, pregnancy (“the grounds”).
Our procedure for complaints and disciplinary issues in breach of this Policy
If you think you have been disadvantaged or harassed on any of the grounds you should raise the matter at once by emailing the firm on info@dwllegalcircle.co.uk. Allegations regarding potential breaches of this policy will be treated in confidence and investigated. If, after investigation, a worker has harassed any other worker, client or supplier on any of the grounds or otherwise acted in breach of this policy, that worker will be subject to disciplinary action. In serious cases, such behaviour may constitute gross misconduct and may result in summary dismissal. We will always take a strict approach to breaches of this policy. If a third party supplier or client indicates they have been disadvantaged on any of the grounds, then the individual or company will be invited to raise the matter by using the Complaints Procedure. If, after investigation, there is evidence of any breach of this Policy, appropriate action will be taken which may include disciplinary measures.
What is discrimination?
Discrimination may be direct or indirect and it may occur intentionally or unintentionally. Direct discrimination occurs where someone is put at a disadvantage for a reason related to one or more of the grounds set out above, for example, rejecting an applicant on the basis of race. Indirect discrimination occurs where an individual is subject to an unjustified factor which puts them at a particular disadvantage because of, for example, their gender or race. Discrimination also includes victimization, which is less favourable treatment because of action taken to assert legal rights against discrimination or to assist a colleague in that regard, and harassment. More details can be found at https://www.gov.uk/discrimination-your-rights/discrimination-at-work
Our procedures for monitoring diversity and collating equality data
We monitor our workforce diversity by asking all workers to complete a questionnaire annually which we will then review, acting upon any issues or concerns.
We monitor diversity in our recruitment procedures to ensure that applicants are treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities and that sufficiently diverse sectors of the community are reached. Job selection criteria are regularly reviewed to ensure that they are justifiable on non-discriminatory grounds as being essential for the effective performance of the job.
We monitor redundancy criteria and procedures to ensure that they are fair and objective and do not directly or indirectly discriminate. We also ensure that disciplinary procedures are carried out fairly and uniformly for all workers, whether or not they result in the giving of disciplinary warnings, dismissal or other disciplinary action.
We monitor our premises (to consider whether they place disabled workers, job applicants or service users at a substantial disadvantage compared to other workers) and where possible and proportionate, we will take steps to address any shortcomings.
Client services are delivered from our offices. However, where a client is unable to come to our offices, home visits can be arranged. Our professional rules permit us to decline to act for any particular client, but any refusal to act will not be based upon any of the grounds.
Training
New joiners receive training on Induction and we run update training for all staff on compliance with Equality and Diversity requirements. All workers have a duty to act in accordance with this policy, and therefore to treat colleagues with dignity at all times, and not to discriminate against or harass other workers, whether junior or senior to them. The same applies to the treatment of our visitors, clients and suppliers (including barristers and any experts) by our workers. Those working at management level have a specific responsibility to set an appropriate standard of behaviour, to lead by example and to ensure that those they manage adhere to our policy. Since the practice may be held responsible for the acts of individual workers we will not tolerate any discriminatory practices or behaviour.
Our Policy on, and procedures for, reasonable adjustments if you are disabled
If you are disabled, or become disabled in the course of your employment with us, or are dealing with a disabled client, please tell us, so that we can support you/the client as much as possible and discuss with you and your medical professional making such reasonable adjustments to your working conditions or your job which you consider to be necessary or which would assist you in the performance of your duties. Careful consideration will be given to any such proposals and they will be accommodated where possible and proportionate to the needs of your job. There may be circumstances where it will not be reasonable for us to accommodate the suggested adjustments, in which case we will explain why we made that decision. For more details about how we can make reasonable adjustments for workers clients and others, see our Reasonable Adjustments Policy.
