Croydon Council is urging organisations in the borough to embrace and promote ‘complete inclusiveness’ within the workplace by launching the Equalities Pledge.
All organisations are advised to make their public declaration against inequality and discrimination within the workplace by signing up on the Croydon Council website.
The pledge aims to ensure that every resident in the borough is treated fairly and equally regardless of their disabilities, faith, gender, age, sexual orientation, and race, the council said.
The Croydon equalities pledge consist of 10 workplace activities such as training against bias, a fair recruitment process as well as disability-friendly adjustments to the workplace.
Some of the activities that the council has listed are:
- Mandatory training in equality for all staff members as well as diversity and inclusion training every two years – all staff will be held to account if attendance is poor
- Zero-tolerance approach to discrimination, harassment or bullying by publicising the staff members with code of conduct
- Anonymous recruitment process that does not reveal the candidate’s race, age, gender, disability or financial status
- Ensure there are reasonable adjustments for disabled staff members in interviews as well as employment
In order to get one step closer to an inclusive community, each participating organisation must host at least three activities per year. This will ensure that everyone is treated equally within the workplace community.
Cabinet member for communities, safety and business recovery, Councillor Manju Shahul-Hameed said: “The Croydon Equalities Pledge and the tangible workplace activities it includes are a solid step towards ensuring no Croydon resident is discriminated against on the basis of their faith, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability or other protected characteristic.”
She further added: “I am proud to see local businesses and organisations come together to drive change and ensure those in their communities are treated fairly and equally. I hope many more will join them and the council in adopting the pledge.”
Chief executive officer for Croydon BME Forum, Andrew Brown said: “Everyone in Croydon deserves to be treated fair and equally, but this change cannot come from individuals alone. Employers and other local organisations can make a real difference by committing to the workplace activities set out in the Croydon Equalities Pledge.”
