October 2023 Version

North East Barristers Chambers (‘the organisation’) is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination.

The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers, and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best.

The organisation - in providing services is also committed against unlawful discrimination towards customers or the public.

The policy’s purpose is to:

1. provide equality, fairness and respect for all in our employment, whether temporary, part-time or full-time;
2. not unlawfully discriminate because of the Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics of age, disability, gender
3. reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic
4. or national origin), religion or belief, sex (gender) and sexual orientation; and
5. oppose and avoid all forms of unlawful discrimination. 

This includes in pay and benefits, terms and conditions of employment, dealing with grievances and discipline, dismissal, redundancy, leave for parents, requests for flexible working, and selection for employment, promotion, training or other developmental opportunities.

The organisation commits to:

• encourage equality and diversity in the workplace as they are good practice and make business sense; and
• create a working environment free of bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination, promoting dignity and respect for all, and where individual differences and the contributions of all staff are recognised and valued.

This commitment includes training managers and all other employees about their rights and responsibilities under the equality policy.

Responsibilities include staff conducting themselves to help the organisation provide equal opportunities in employment, and prevent bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination.

All staff should understand they, as well as their employer, can be held liable for acts of bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination, in the course of their employment, against fellow employees, customers, suppliers and the public.

The Organisation shall take seriously complaints of bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination by fellow employees, customers, suppliers, visitors, the public and any others in the course of the organisation’s work activities.

Such acts will be dealt with as misconduct under the organisation’s grievance and/or disciplinary procedures, and any appropriate action will be taken. Particularly serious complaints could amount to gross misconduct and lead to dismissal without notice.

Further, sexual harassment may amount to both an employment rights matter and a criminal matter, such as in sexual assault allegations. In addition, harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 – which is not limited to circumstances where harassment relates to a protected characteristic – is a criminal offence.

The Organisation commits to make opportunities for training, development and progress available to all staff, who will be helped and encouraged to develop their full potential, so their talents and resources can be fully utilised to maximise the efficiency of the organisation. 

Decisions concerning staff shall be based on merit (apart from in any necessary and limited exemptions and exceptions allowed under the Equality Act).

The Organisation shall review employment practices and procedures when necessary to ensure fairness, and also update them and the policy to take account of changes in the law.

The Organisation shall monitor the make-up of the workforce regarding information such as age, gender, ethnic background, sexual orientation, religion or belief, and disability in encouraging equality and diversity, and in meeting the aims and commitments set out in the equality policy.

Monitoring will also include assessing how the equality policy, and any sporting action plan, are working in practice, reviewing them annually, and considering and taking action to address any issues.

If you wish to see the organisation’s grievance and disciplinary policies and procedures please ask for a copy. These include with whom an employee should raise a grievance – usually their line manager.

Use of the organisation’s grievance and/or disciplinary procedures does not affect an employee’s right to make a claim to an employment tribunal within three months of the alleged discrimination