Equality and Diversity in Employment

We are an equal opportunities employer which means that we:

• Positively value the different perspectives and skills that a diverse workforce brings to the Council 
• Recognise that equality is of benefit to all groups, not simply those who may experience disadvantage 
• Aspire to have a workforce that reflects, and is therefore better equipped to meet the needs of the population that it serves 

We encourage applications from all applicants and particularly those from any group that is under-represented within the workforce. 

We also need to ensure that we comply with all relevant legislation in our recruitment practises.  This may involve making checks or asking for information from candidates and occasionally having to reject certain applications which do not comply.  All information that we request as part of the recruitment process is treated in strict confidence.  Detailed information about what this covers is provided in the following pages.

Every three years the Council sets out the equalities work that it intends to carry out in a publicly available document.  The current scheme is known as the Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Scheme 2009-2012 - "Fairness and Respect".  Within the scheme there is a section relating to employment which explains the actions that the Council intends to take on employment equality.