01- 52 Equal Opportunities (EO) Policy

BEL is committed to Equal Opportunities and in maintaining a rewarding working environment in which all personnel, are treated with fairness and equality so that every individual is encouraged to give his or her best performance. Prejudice on the basis of gender, race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital status, religious beliefs, physical or mental disability is unacceptable.

The key to success in EO is through training, education and example. There is a need to change the attitudes of all personnel such that staff are able to progress to the best of their ability against a background of mutual trust and respect. BEL complies with all legislation and directives relating to discrimination in employment and implements the directives from which this policy is derived.

The Policy concentrates on attitudes, in order to eradicate instances of racial and sexual harassment or bullying. The emphasis will be on:

• Accountability. To ensure that both management and individuals are held properly accountable for any transgression of policy.

• Training and Education. Training and education have already been identified as key to a successful EO policy. An EO package is to be included in the induction training for all permanent staff. In addition

• Discipline. Directors and Managers will be expected to lead by example and to be responsible for the behaviour of personnel under their charge. They are also expected to exercise common sense but to be firm in eradicating all racist, sexist language, or unwelcome nicknames which tend to depict racial origin, colour or sex.

• Procedures. BEL will undertake timely, within 2 working days, an effective investigation of EO incidents/complaints, together with advice and support to individuals.

This Policy Statement will be reviewed dependent on changes in legislation, and take cognisance of practical experience