Nova Wakefield District Limited is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion as an employer and seeks to ensure that principles of equality, diversity and inclusion underpin all areas of the organisation's work and service provision.

This is an essential part of the organisation’s vision to build a vibrant voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector in Wakefield District.

Aims

Nova Wakefield District Limited recognises that many people and groups suffer discrimination and face serious barriers when trying to fulfil their true potential.

Therefore, this organisation aims to:

1. Create an organisation where members of staff represent, and can engage with, the diverse communities which make up our organisation’s membership.
2. Build an inclusive culture where members of staff and Trustees feel valued and able to contribute to the organisation’s vision.
3. Take positive action to redress discrimination, improve equality of opportunity, and combat any unreasonable or unfair treatment which places people at a disadvantage for any reasons not directly related to their ability to do a job for this organisation or to their eligibility to receive services from this organisation.

Forms of discrimination

It is unlawful to discriminate directly or indirectly against people because of a 'protected characteristic'. The Equality Act 2010 defines the protected characteristics as being: age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), sexual orientation, religion or belief, or because someone is married or in a civil partnership. It is also unlawful to discriminate against people either because they are perceived to have a protected characteristic or because they associate with someone who has a protected characteristic.

In addition to this, Nova Wakefield District Limited recognises that not all forms of unreasonable and unfair discrimination are the subject of legislation. This organisation acknowledges that people may experience discrimination as a result of many additional and intersectional social, educational and economic reasons such as their language, health, caring responsibilities, trade union activity, where they live, how they speak and whether they work flexibly. This Statement will apply equally to all of these circumstances.

Commitments

Nova Wakefield District makes the following commitments to:

• Not tolerate discrimination, harassment, bullying, victimisation or abuse of people who are members of staff or of people connected with the services provided by Nova Wakefield District Limited. This commitment to creating an equal, diverse, and inclusive working environment relates to the actions of all members of staff.
• Take seriously all complaints of discrimination, harassment, bullying, victimisation or abuse of people by members of staff and of people connected with the services provided by Nova Wakefield District Limited. This will be handled in accordance with the Complaints and Compliments Policy.
• Provide training and development for members of staff to help them to reach their full potential and encourage awareness of equality, diversity, and inclusion.  
• Review employment practices to ensure that they present equal opportunity and update them when required.

Agreement

The Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement was approved by the HR Committee of the Board of Trustees on 17 March 2022 and is available to all members of staff and the public.