It is the policy of NHS Suffolk to provide equal opportunity in all employment matters regardless of gender reassignment sexuality, marital or family status, disability, age, race, colour, gender, nationality, ethnic origin or religion, faith or belief.

NHS Suffolk is firmly committed to recognising and valuing diversity and aims to provide an environment where employees can work with dignity and respect, free from bullying, harassment and discrimination.  We are committed to ensuring that complaints in all cases will be treated sensitively, confidentially, thoroughly and swiftly.  All employees who have been discriminated against can expect action to be taken on their behalf and support from NHS Suffolk.

Equal Opportunities is about good management practice, in order to maximise employees’ potential and to create a framework ensuring all employees and job applicants receive equal access in relation to employment, terms and conditions, training, promotion or services.

Responsibilities:

While NHS Suffolk holds primary responsibility for fair employment practices, Equal Opportunities depends as much on it’s employees at all levels to ensure its success. Employees should be aware that discrimination on the grounds of race, sex and disability, age, sexual orientation etc is illegal. Employees are expected in particular:

• - Not to induce others to practice discrimination and not allow oneself to be so influenced e.g. where responsible for recruitment and selection, training, promotion or transfer.
• - Not to harass, abuse, intimidate or make remarks about other employees on account of their sex, race, disability etc, or on the grounds that an individual has made a complaint or provided information for an investigation.
• - To inform Managers/Team Leaders if they suspect discrimination is taking place in accordance with their legal obligation

Managers/Team Leaders are expected to:

• - Lead by example.
• - Ensure employees are aware of their responsibilities, within the law and the Trust’s policy on Equal Opportunities, and re-affirm these regularly.
• - Ensure recruitment and selection, grievance, disciplinary, training and promotion issues are dealt with in a fair and consistent manner.

NHS Suffolk Board:

The Trust Board will have lead responsibility for the Policy and its implementation. The HR Department are responsible for ensuring that the Policy is applied consistently across the Trust and reviewing any policies, procedures and practices which may affect the Equal Opportunities Policy on a regular basis.