Equality and Diversity Inclusion Policy

What is the policy about?

Equality and Diversity rights and responsibilities are enshrined in law (the Equality Act 2010) and are clearly important in the creation and maintenance of a harmonious society and working environment. KnowledgeBrief (KB) are committed to treating everyone fairly, we respect and value the diversity of our learners, clients, employees, suppliers, partners, employers and all other people we work with.

Why is it important?

KnowledgeBrief has a positive, outcome-based view of equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I). The legal and moral drivers for ED&I are clear. Yet, there are also very positive business benefit drivers for ED&I. Our research into high performing organisations and across the services we provide, is that ED&I are essential conditions for effective business innovation and change. We see the real benefits that multiple perspectives bring to problem solving and ideation. We have learnt that advanced organisations actively design teams to feature ED&I so that they function effectively through the innovation lifecycle – and far better than teams that do not. We understand the role of ED&I in the development and sustaining of a vibrant and high potential culture of innovation.

Multiple sources and many our clients note that effective 21st Century leadership is defined by openness, collaboration and engagement, with organisational forms emerging to suit this less hierarchical, control-focused way of working. ED&I, drawing on all the talents, is again a feature of today’s open, future- & change-focused leaders. At the same time, many organisations see talent attraction, development and retention as a critical component of great performance and, where sought, competitive advantage. The lack of ED&I is now more widely recognised as a serious detriment to organisational health. KnowledgeBrief’s own experience in this field is positive. From the beginning, the company’s founders have actively recruited people with diverse backgrounds to create an international, inclusive and diverse organisation that lives innovation as a core value. We believe in ED&I not least because it works for us.

KB Application

We will strive to ensure that learning and recruitment opportunities are available to all. No individual will be excluded from a learning or recruitment opportunity on the grounds of their age, disability, sex, gender identity, race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, or marriage and civil partnership.

This policy applies to:

actual and prospective learners (‘learner’ is used as a common term to also denote client and customer where appropriate),
employees (individuals who work for the company either on a permanent, temporary, contractual or voluntary basis),
employers (individual or organisations who are in receipt of KnowledgeBrief services).

We will:

Provide learning and working environments that respect difference and protects the diversity of those working within them.
Raise individual awareness of the importance of equality and diversity and good relations between people of different groups.
Develop the awareness and skills of individuals to promote fairness, inclusivity and good relations.
Support all learners as far as reasonably possible to pursue the learning programme.
Strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join KB.
Ensure that everyone is enabled to achieve positive outcomes, whatever their background.
Ensure fair and equal access to learning and recruitment and take action to promote equality.
Make reasonable and practicable adjustments to enable individuals to participate in recruitment, learning or work. Where this is not feasible, we will identify alternative options/solutions.
Provide KnowledgeBrief services only to employers who support our commitment to equality and diversity and comply with related requirements

Disclosure and additional support provisions

Before starting and during learning/employment, individuals will be given opportunity (in confidence) to disclose any disability or learning difficulty they may have. This is to ensure we put in place additional or alternative support. We will explain why this information is being sought and how it will be used.

Where a learner or employee declares a disability, reasonable steps will be taken to accommodate this by making reasonable adjustments. In circumstances where this is not possible, we will identify alternative options/provision.

Induction and Equality Training

All individuals will receive an induction into their learning/employment and working environment. We will make everyone aware of our commitment to equality and diversity, and how to make us aware of any dissatisfaction or concern.

Learning and Working Environment

We are committed to creating open and conducive learning and working environments where everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. We are opposed to and will not tolerate any form of bullying, harassment or unacceptable behaviour. We will ensure all individuals have clear routes to report incidents and/or concerns and for these to be managed fairly and fully.

What do I need to do?

All KB people are expected to:

Communicate and behave with courtesy, kindness and respect and in accordance with our policies and procedures
Inform their manager if they have any additional needs or are experiencing difficulties in learning or working with us
Value and respect individual differences and the contributions of others
Maintain a safe and secure learning and working environment
Let the management team know immediately if they are unhappy with any aspect of learning or working with KnowledgeBrief or have witnessed anything of concern.

Complaints / Grievances

We will make all individuals aware of the steps to follow should they wish to raise a concern, grievance or make a complaint. We will aim to resolve any concerns or problems as quickly as possible and if we cannot resolve it, we will explain why and say what we can do.

For learners: The quickest and easiest way for a learner to raise a concern or make a complaint is to do so via their tutor, or supervisor.
For employees: The company will take any complaint seriously and will seek to resolve any grievance which it upholds. KB won’t penalise employees for raising a grievance, unless the complaint is both untrue and made in bad faith. Any employee (found to be) breaching this policy will be regarded as behaving in a manner that constitutes an act of misconduct and will be dealt with through the disciplinary procedure.
For employers: If you wish to make a complaint or raise a concern of unlawful discrimination, bullying, harassment and/or unacceptable behaviour by a KnowledgeBrief employee, you should contact the Head of Programmes.

If you wish to make a complaint or raise a concern of unlawful discrimination, bullying, harassment and/or unacceptable behaviour by a KnowledgeBrief employee, you should contact the HR department.

Miscellaneous

Sources and Further Reading

Equality Act 2010
Equality and Human Rights Commission

Relevant KB Policies and Documents

Diversity & Inclusion Strategy 2021-22
Bullying & Harassment Policy
Complaints Policy and Procedure
Grievance Procedure
Health & Safety Policy
Recruitment Policy
Whistleblowing Policy

KB Policy For Equality & Diversity v1.4, 03/02/2021