PART 3 – Equality Objectives Objective How? By Who? By When? Measure of Success? Protected Characteristic Human Rights Disability Sex Race Sexual Orientation Age Religion/Belief Transgender Pregnancy & Maternity 1. Improve equality in the workplace for disabled employees Develop a Staff Disability Group with Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. Reissue guidance to managers on the Two Tick Scheme and undertake an audit of the scheme to ensure adherence. An of the scheme was undertaken and this has identified further actions that need to be taken to support the effective operation of the scheme: Appointing officers will be issued with guidance on the operation of the two tick scheme prior to short listing Joint E&D Strategic Group HR HR Employee services HR Summer 2012 Complete Summer 2012 Complete Complete Disabled Staff Group established and well attended by disabled employees across both organisations completed Guide produced and widely disseminated
information on the scheme will be added to recruitment training The employee disability network will promote the scheme to disabled employees. The scheme will be better advertised to new job applicants. Staff Disability Group Employee Services HR Ongoing Jan 2014 Ongoing Circulation of minutes of disability staff group promotion of scheme to equality allies. Inclusion in Equality and Diversity Newsletter Two Ticks, Mindful Employer and Stonewall Logos advertised on North East Jobs website. The shortlisting form for interviewers has been revised to meet requirements
Repeat equality survey to monitor employee perceptions of workplace equality. Staff engagement strategy Ongoing Survey completed action plan being developed 3. Check equal pay arrangements are in place Undertake an equal pay audit. Externally Commissioned 2015 Audit completed 4. Ensure older workers pensions are protected following single status Publicise pension protection arrangements. Pensions February 2012. Complete 5. Consider further the Council’s provisions for carers Establish numbers of employees who are carers; review HR policies to ensure that reasonable provision and support is available for carers. HR December 2012 Review of policies is on-going. Policies reviewed and carers have been considered 6. Increase the number of employees who undertake E&D training. Roll out electronic E&D training and monitor take up. L&OD Complete Increase in numbers trained in E&D issues
7. Ensure that protected characteristics do not act as a barrier to access to training. Implementation of an integrated L&OD system. L&OD Complete Applications and take up of training is monitored. 8. Increase perception of the Council as an employer of older people. Implement recommendations of Working Group on the employment of older people. HR/ Working August 2012 Perception of the Council as an employer by older people is improved. 9. Ensure that transsexual and transgender issues are addressed in the workplace. Draft a specific policy on gender reassignment. HR Complete Policy in place and communicated to all employees. 10. Ensure compliance with recent legislative changes such as Shared Parental Leave. Review the Council’s HR policies in respect of adoption, paternity and maternity to identify changes. HR February 2015 Policy in place and communicated to employees
11. Promote E&D related policies, in particular how to raise a complaint. Review policies and work with communications to publicise. HR Services Increase in number of employees who are aware of how to raise a complaint (to more than 47%).