Inclusion & Diversity Policy

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide where reasonably practical, guidelines consistent with the Equality Act 2010, so that job applicants, employees or people that use or supply services are not discriminated against either directly or indirectly on any unlawful grounds because of their particular characteristics.

Scope

This policy applies to all persons working for the Ecology Co-op, on our behalf in any capacity, including employees at all levels, directors, officers, agency workers, contractors, external consultants, third-party representatives, and business partners. It is a requirement of our staff, clients, and supply chains to adhere to this policy whilst acting for or on behalf of the Ecology Co-op. Invoked whenever there is an event which compromises our employees or supply chain staff, in contravention of the Equality Act 2010.

This policy forms part of our employees' contract of employment, the Ecology Co-op may, however, amend it at any time.

Responsibility

The responsibility for this procedure lies with the Managing Director, its day-to-day implementation is the responsibility of the Operations Manager / Management Team.

The Ecology Co-op Management Team understands its responsibilities and duties to its employees, subcontractors, and supply chain staff, as set out in the Equality Act 2010 legislation. Ensuring through best practice in accordance with the legislation, its accredited (and independently audited) ISO9001 quality management system (QMS) planning, process, objectives, risk assessments and policy to foster systematic yet measurable, continued improvements in our approach to inclusion and diversity in the workplace.

The Ecology Co-op has a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination violations, and we are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships. Implementing and enforcing effective Inclusion and diversity processes within the business and all of our supply chains.

We expect the same zero tolerance approach from all of our contractors, suppliers, and other business partners, and as part of our contracting processes, the Ecology Co-op expects that its clients and supply chain will maintain the same exacting standards.

Procedure

Identification: Any such discrimination incident should be immediately reported to the Operations Manager, who will issue an Incident Report Form and log the incident on the Incident Report Log.

Reporting: Any violation of diversity legislation within our business or supply chains should be immediately reported to the Operations Manager and Managing Director, who will ensure the incident is raised as an NCR, discussed at the next senior management meeting and in addition reported to the proper authorities as required, under the obligations of the legislation.

Response: The response, escalation and reporting of the incident will be discussed and determined by the Operations Manager / Management Team and the relevant authorities.

You must notify your manager or Company Director as soon as possible if you believe or suspect that a breach of this policy or wider legislation has occurred or may occur in the future.

You are encouraged to raise concerns about any issue or suspicion of discrimination in any part of our business or supply chains of any supplier tier at the earliest possible stage. If you believe or suspect a breach of this policy has occurred or that it may occur, you must notify your manager or report it to the Company Director as soon as possible.

If you are unsure about whether a particular act, the treatment of workers more generally, or their working conditions within any tier of our supply chains constitutes any of the various forms of discrimination, raise it with your manager or the Company Director.

We aim to encourage openness and will support anyone who raises genuine concerns in good faith under this policy. We are committed to ensuring no one suffers any detrimental treatment as a result of reporting in good faith their suspicion that discrimination practices are below the threshold required by the legislation and that of the Ecology Co-op's policy, whatever is or may be taking place in any part of our own business or in any of our supply chains. Detrimental treatment includes dismissal, disciplinary action, threats, or other unfavorable treatment connected with raising a concern.

If you believe that you have suffered any such treatment, you should inform your compliance manager immediately. If the matter is not remedied, and you are an employee, you should raise it formally through your line manager.