Equality and Diversity Policy
The purpose of this policy is to make clear the Company’s values on equality and diversity and to show how we put these into practice.
Policy Aims and Objectives
Thomas & Thomas Property Ltd is committed to equality and operates in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 as well as all other associated legislation. We regularly monitor our policies and procedures to ensure this policy is upheld. All our staff have a responsibility not to discriminate or harass other Staff, Customers, Clients, Sellers, Buyers, Landlords, Tenants, Applicants and Third Party Suppliers.
It is the Company’s policy to provide equal opportunities in employment irrespective of race, ethnic or national origin, sex, mental or physical disabilities, age, marital status, actual or perceived sexual orientation, religion or belief. We aim to provide a working environment that is free from discrimination and harassment in any form, in which Staff, Customers, Clients, Sellers, Buyers, Landlords, Tenants, Applicants and Third Party Suppliers are treated with dignity and respect.
Staff will receive continual training to ensure their absolute adoption of this policy.
Protected Characteristics
There are a number of protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 which ensure that everyone is treated fairly, have equal access to services and are not discriminated against, harassed or victimised – these are:
Age
This is when someone is treated differently because of their age. The Equality Act 2010 says that you must not be discriminated against because you are (or are not) a certain age or in a certain age group.
Disability
A person has a disability if she or he has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on that person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
Gender Reassignment
This refers to the process of changing from one gender to the other (change from male to female or female to male) so that your gender identity is different from the gender assigned to you when you were born.
Marriage and Civil Partnerships
Marriage is a union between a man and a woman or between a same-sex couple. Same-sex couples can also have their relationships legally recognised as ‘civil partnerships’. Civil partners must not be treated less favourably than married couples (except where permitted by the Equality Act).
Pregnancy and Maternity
Pregnancy is the condition of being pregnant or expecting a baby. Maternity refers to the period after the birth, and is linked to maternity leave in the employment context. In the non-work context, protection against maternity discrimination is for 26 weeks after giving birth, and this includes treating a woman unfavourably because she is breastfeeding.
Race
It refers to a group of people defined by their race, colour, and nationality (including citizenship) ethnic or national origins.
Religion and belief
Religion refers to any religion, and also a lack of religion. Belief refers to any religious or philosophical belief. Generally, a belief should affect your life choices or the way you live for it to be included in the definition.
Sex
A man or a woman.
Sexual Orientation
Whether a person’s sexual attraction is towards their own sex, the opposite sex or to both sexes.
Defining Discrimination
The Equality Act 2010 expects all our Staff to be aware of the different ways in which discrimination can happen. It can occur deliberately or unconsciously and both on an individual level or an institutional level.
Direct Discrimination
Treating an individual less fairly/worse than another individual because of a protected characteristic.
Indirect Discrimination
This would happen if a rule/policy is set which applies to all but has a worse effect on someone with a protected characteristic than on someone without such a characteristic, when this cannot be objectively justified.
Harassment
This would occur if an individual behaves in such a manner which transgresses another individual’s dignity, or is aggressive, degrading, insulting or humiliating towards an individual with a protected characteristic. It could also be of a sexual nature.
Victimisation
Treating someone unfavourably because they have taken (or possibly intend to take) steps under the Equality Act 2010, or is supporting someone who is taking steps.
Practical Applications of the Legislation
Access to confidential information about a Client’s protected characteristics
As part of providing a service to either Sellers, Buyers, Landlords or Tenants, we will often visit a Client’s home and talk to them at length regarding their personal circumstances so that we fully understand their property needs. This can also take place during telephone conversations. When doing so, we may become aware of a Client’s protected characteristics which we would not have been aware of without such a visit or discussion. We will ensure that any knowledge gained in this way will never put any Client at a disadvantage, such as breaching Client confidentiality, if this would count as providing them with a worse service or the same service on worse terms.
Reasonable adjustments to remove barriers for disabled people
When interacting with all Clients, we will endeavour to consider various communication methods and accessibility needs that disabled individuals may have. We will make the necessary adjustments to ensure that the service provided is not diminished in any way.
Instructions to discriminate
Should any Client instruct Thomas & Thomas Property Ltd to discriminate against any other individual, we will not accept any such instruction and will not act for that Client.
Marketing a Property for sale or let
Whilst undertaking our marketing, we will not, whether under instruction to do so or not, discriminate, harass or victimise any occupier of a property that we are marketing.
Viewings/Offers
We do not impose a ban on any particular Buyers or Tenants. Any potential Buyer or Tenant will be qualified on their individual merits and the Sellers and Landlords will assess their criteria individually and decisions made on a case by case basis, considering all the facts.
Thomas & Thomas Property Ltd are aware that equality and diversity are important principals and as such this Act is part of everything that we do both with our Staff and it extends to our Customers, Clients, Sellers, Buyers, Landlords, Tenants and all Third Party Suppliers.