Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Policy

  1. Equal opportunities statement

Underwood & Co is committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment and creating a workplace culture in which diversity and inclusion is valued and everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As part of our zero-tolerance approach to discrimination in any form, you and any job applicants will receive equal treatment regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation (Protected Characteristics). We are also committed to providing equitable treatment to all those we deal with as an organisation, including clients and suppliers.

  1. About this policy

    • This policy sets out our approach to equal opportunities and the avoidance of discrimination at work. Our aim is to encourage and support diversity, equity and inclusion and actively promote a culture that values difference and eliminates discrimination in our workplace. It applies to all aspects of employment with us, including recruitment, pay and conditions, flexible working and leave, training, appraisals, promotion, conduct at work, disciplinary and grievance procedures, and termination of employment.
    • This policy applies to all employees, officers, consultants, contractors, volunteers, interns, casual workers and agency workers.
    • This policy does not form part of any employee’s contract of employment or other contract to provide services, and we may amend it at any time.

  2. Training

    • Staff will be given appropriate training on recognising and avoiding discrimination, harassment and victimisation, and promoting equality of opportunity and diversity.
    • We will provide Staff with regular training to ensure that everyone is aware of and understands the contents of this policy and the Anti-harassment Policy.

  3. Discrimination

    • Staff must not unlawfully discriminate against or harass other people including current and former staff, job applicants, clients, suppliers and visitors. This applies in the workplace, outside the workplace and on work-related trips or events including social events.
    • The following forms of discrimination are prohibited under this policy and are unlawful:
      • Direct discrimination: treating someone less favourably because of a Protected Characteristic. For example, rejecting a job applicant because of their religious views or because they might be gay.
      • Indirect discrimination: a provision, criterion or practice that applies to everyone but adversely affects people with a particular Protected Characteristic more than others, and is not justified. For example, requiring a job to be done full-time rather than part-time would adversely affect women because they generally have greater childcare commitments than men. Such a requirement would be discriminatory unless it can be justified.
      • Harassment: this includes sexual harassment and other unwanted conduct related to a Protected Characteristic, which has the purpose or effect of violating someone’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for them. Harassment is dealt with further in our Anti-harassment and Bullying Policy.
      • Victimisation: retaliation against someone who has complained or has supported someone else’s complaint about discrimination or harassment. This includes where someone mistakenly believes that the person victimised has done so.
      • Disability discrimination: this includes direct and indirect discrimination, any unjustified less favourable treatment because of the effects of a disability, and failure to make reasonable adjustments to alleviate disadvantages caused by a disability.

  1. Disabilities

If staff or clients are disabled or have a disability of any description, we encourage you to tell us about your condition so that we can consider what reasonable adjustments or support may be appropriate.

  1. Recruitment & Reporting

    • Recruitment, promotion, and other selection exercises such as redundancy selection will be conducted on the basis of merit, against objective criteria that avoid discrimination. When recruiting or promoting, shortlisting and interviewing should be done by more than one person where possible and ensure that individuals are objectively assessed on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities.
    • Vacancies should generally be advertised to a diverse section of the labour market. Advertisements should avoid stereotyping or using wording that may discourage particular groups from applying.
    • We are required by law to ensure that all employees are entitled to work in the UK. Assumptions about immigration status should not be made based on appearance or apparent nationality. All prospective employees, regardless of nationality, must be able to produce original documents (such as a passport) before employment starts, to satisfy current immigration legislation.
    • We encourage the reporting of all types of potential discrimination, as this assists us in ensuring that diversity, equity and inclusion principles are adhered to in the workplace. However, making a false allegation deliberately and in bad faith , or that you know to be untrue, will be treated as misconduct and dealt with under our Disciplinary Procedure.

May 2026