What is Equality and Diversity?

Equal Opportunity
Equal opportunity means ensuring employees and customers are not discriminated against or receive less favourable treatment on the basis of their: race, ethnic origin, nationality, religion, culture, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, class, appearance, responsibility for dependents, unrelated criminal activity, HIV, AIDS, income or spent offender background KHT will work to eliminate any form of discrimination and to promote good relations between people of different groups.

Diversity
Diversity includes all the ways in which people differ. The basic concept of managing diversity accepts that people are different and these differences consist of both visible and non visible differences which include factors such as sex, age, background, race, disability, personality and workstyle. KHT will endeavour to ensure that it encourages and maintains diversity in its workforce and service delivery recognising the diverse needs of both staff and customers.

Discrimination can take a number of forms:

Direct
Consists of treating a person less favourably, than others are or would be treated in the same circumstances.

Indirect
Consists of applying a requirement, which, intentionally or not, has a disproportionately adverse effect on a particular group and cannot be shown to be justifiable.

Harassment
Where service users or staff feel there has been an interference with their comfort or safety. This can be verbal or physical. KHT will not condone harassment of any kind and is committed to taking action against perpetrators.

Victimisation
Where a person is treated less favourably because they have pursued or it is suspected they will pursue their rights under KHT’s Equality and Diversity policy.