Gristwood and Toms acknowledge that it is essential to provide equal opportunities to all people without discrimination. This policy sets out the organisation's position on equal opportunity in all aspects of employment, including recruitment and promotion, and provides guidance and encourages employees at all levels to act fairly and prevent discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, disability, marital status, age, sexual orientation or religion as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

Definition of Discrimination
(i) Discrimination can be direct or indirect.
(ii) Direct discrimination occurs when one person is treated less favourably to another on grounds of sex, race, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
(iii) Indirect discrimination occurs where a requirement is imposed which can only be complied by a smaller proportion of persons of a particular sex, race, marital status, disability, age, sexual orientation or religion, than persons in another group and which is not objectively justifiable.

Statement of policy
(i) It is the policy of Gristwood and Toms Ltd to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of sex, race, marital status, disability, age, sexual orientation or religion, or is disadvantaged by conditions that cannot be shown to be justifiable. The organisation is committed not only to its legal obligations but also to the positive promotion of equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment.
(ii) Gristwood and Toms Ltd recognises that adhering to the policy, combined with relevant employment policies and practices, maximises the effective use of individuals in both the organisation’s and employees´ best interests.
(iii) The application of recruitment, training, and promotion to all individuals will be on the basis of job requirements and the individual’s ability and merits.
(iv) All employees of Gristwood and Toms Ltd will be made aware of this policy.

Recruitment
(i) Advertisements for all posts will give clear and information to enable applicants to assess their own suitability for the position. Information about vacant posts will be advertised in such a manner that does not limit its applicants in terms of sex, race, marital status, disability, age, sexual orientation or religion.
(ii) All vacancies will be advertised internally.
(iii) Recruitment literature will not show a preference for one group of applicants unless there is an actual occupational qualification, which limits the post to this particular group.
(iv) All selection will be thorough, and will deal only with the applicant’s suitability for the job. Where it is necessary to ask questions concerning personal circumstances, these will be purely for the job requirements and asked to all applicants.
(v) All descriptions and specifications for posts will include only requirements that are necessary for the effective performance of the job.

Employment
(i) Gristwood and Toms Ltd will put in place any measures and adjustments within the workplace for those employees who become disabled during employment or for disabled appointees.
(ii) All employees will be considered solely on their abilities for career development with equal opportunities for all.

Training
(i) Employees will be given appropriate training regardless of sex, race, marital status, disability, age, sexual orientation or religion.
(ii) All employees will be encouraged to discuss their career prospects and training needs with their Manager at their annual appraisal.

Monitoring
(i) It is the responsibility of the personnel department to ensure that all aspects of this policy are operated throughout the organisation and kept under review.