An inclusive employer

As an employer, we are committed to ensuring our staff have access to equal opportunities and are valued and heard. We will continue to build a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve to help us ensure that our services meet the needs of our residents.

Disability Confident Employer

We are a Disability Confident Employer and as such are committed to being fully inclusive and accessible, whether through our recruitment processes, working environment or development opportunities.

We pride ourselves on a positive organisational culture which focuses on enabling and supporting all our staff to achieve their potential.

Race at Work Charter

As a council we have reinforced our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion by signing the Race at Work Charter. As part of this, we have committed to:

• Having an increasingly diverse workforce that reflects the borough’s working population.
• Supporting employees and councillors to understand their duty to support equality in the workplace.
• Working with communities to understand barriers they may face to ensure jobs and services the council provides are accessible for everyone.
• Publishing progress towards equality targets.
• Taking a zero tolerance approach to harassment and bullying, treating staff fairly and supporting ethnic minority career progression.

Defence Employer Recognition Scheme

We are part of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme which supports the Armed Forces Covenant and supports veterans in the period of transition from the armed forces to a new career.

As well as supporting veterans to access our services, they can apply for vacancies at the council through the Career Transition Partnership.

Council staff networks and groups

To support our work to ensure we are a diverse and inclusive employer and council, we have a number of staff groups that come together to discuss areas, such as equality and diversity and wellbeing in order to improve the services we provide to residents.

Accessibility Staff Network

The Accessibility Staff Network provides a safe and supportive environment to discuss lived experiences and any challenges relating to neurodiversity and disability. It encourages contact, support and friendship among any member of staff. The network creates opportunities to meet like-minded people, where together, you can work to shape the council into a workplace that is more accommodating for everyone and celebrate diversity.

Domestic Abuse Champions

Domestic Abuse Champions are trained to recognise and support those experiencing domestic abuse.

They form part of a growing and dynamic network of people who share a common language and knowledge around domestic abuse, and support people to safety.

Early Careers Staff Network

The network offers a platform to build connections within the organisation, take part in engaging social activities, and enhance both personal and professional skills to support your career development. The early career staff network is open to anyone who is early in their local government career, or looking to advance, the Early Careers Network is here to support your growth, connect you with others, and offer valuable development opportunities.

Environment Champions

This group supports and challenges the council’s climate change commitment to embed sustainable working practice in its services and operations, as well as having wider informal discussions around sustainability. The group promotes positive environmental behaviours and enables all staff to engage with the environmental commitments of the organisation.

LGBTQIA+ Staff and Allies Staff Network

This is an informal network of staff who are within or allies to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and related communities (LGBTQIA+). The network works to promote and resolve issues affecting these communities as well as educate staff to build safer and more inclusive workspaces at the council.

Race Equality Staff Network

The network provides a safe, supportive and confidential forum for sharing experiences, networking and discussing identified issues that affect members of staff from Black, Asian, Minority Ethnicity groups across the council. It provides an informal space for discussion of shared experiences related to race and explores best practices in advancing race equality in the workspace The network is open to all staff.

Wellbeing Group

The group oversees the development of wellbeing and social events and initiatives across the council throughout out the council. The group meets quarterly and discusses sickness rates and what support we could devise and share with staff members.

Staff social events

As an organisation we have an ongoing programme of events to enable us to positively explore a range of aspects of diversity and what makes us who we are. These include opportunities for staff to share their lived experience to broaden and deepen understanding across the organisation.