What is Equality and Diversity ?

Equality is about making sure people are treated fairly and given fair chances. Equality is not about treating everyone in the same way, but it recognises that their needs are met in different ways.

Equality focuses on those areas covered by the law, namely the key areas of race, gender, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation and age. In addition to the legislation which seeks to prevent discrimination in all these areas, we have a public duty to promote equality and remove discrimination in race, gender and disability.

People must not be unfairly discriminated against because of any of these factors and we must all contribute to creating a positive workplace environment where discriminatory practices and discrimination no longer happen.

-And diversity?

Diversity is about valuing individual difference. So 'diversity' is much more than just a new word for equality. A diversity approach aims to recognise, value and manage difference to enable all employees to contribute and realise their full potential. Diversity challenges us to recognise and value all sorts of differences in order to make South Essex Homes a better place for everyone to work.

 Why are equality and diversity important?

• Residents build strong, proud communities
• Residents develop shared values and a sense of belonging to their neighbourhood
• Residents are involved, engaged and consulted on all key issues
• Diversity is valued and all residents are treated fairly

• In a fair society that gives everyone an equal chance to learn, work and live free from discrimination, harassment, bullying and prejudice.
• That the diversity of our workforce and communities we serve is a positive asset in fighting discrimination.

As an employer we will:

• Develop review and promote policies and practices that ensure equality of opportunity and eliminate discrimination for our workforce in all areas of employment (including recruitment, retention, learning and development, promotion, grievance, disciplinary and retirement)
• Ensure that our workforce reflects the diverse profile of our residents

We will comply with:

• the Equal Pay Act 1970 (pdf, 275kb)
• the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (pdf, 1.8mb)
• the Race Relations Act 1976 (pdf, 1.2mb)
• the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 (pdf, 124 kb)
• the Disability Discrimination Act 1995
• the Disability Discrimination (Amendment) Act 2005 (pdf, 553kb)
• the Human Rights Act 1998
• the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 (pdf, 138 kb)
• the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003 (pdf, 68 kb)
• the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 (pdf, 46kb)
• the Equality Act 2006 (pdf, 393 kb)
• the Equality Bill 2009 (pdf, 1mb)
• The Carers Act 2004
• Gender Recognition Act 2004
• Civil Partnership Act 2004

We will recognise our community leadership role and use this to work towards a cohesive community in which inequality is tackled and equality promoted.