Equal opportunities policy

This policy applies to all SQA employees and everyone who applies for posts advertised within SQA.

Purpose

SQA aims to be an equal opportunity employer and will promote the concepts of equality, diversity and inclusion. SQA aims to ensure that members of staff and potential members of staff are selected and treated on the basis of merit, ability and potential, regardless of their gender, age, sexual orientation, marital or parental status or other family circumstance, race, ethnic or national origin, colour, creed, disability, political belief, membership of, or activities as part of a trade union, social or economic class, or any other ground not relevant to good employment practice.

Policy

SQA aims to eradicate unfair and discriminatory practices, direct or indirect, however and whenever they occur.

In order to further its policy on equal opportunities, the Scottish Qualifications Authority accepts the following principles and commitments:

• fair and open procedures will be operated in respect of recruitment, selection, deployment, training and promotion of all grades of staff
• monitoring of these procedures will be carried out regularly along with monitoring of SQA's workforce
• equal opportunities training and guidance will be provided, particularly for staff involved in recruitment, selection, deployment and training of other staff
• recruitment and selection procedures will be periodically reviewed and examined to ensure that they are not discriminatory in their intention or operation
• effective complaints procedures will be used to resolve complaints of discrimination
• breaches of this policy will be dealt with through existing agreed SQA procedures
• victimisation of anyone who has complained of being discriminated against will be regarded as misconduct
• positive action initiatives will be introduced where appropriate
• language used in SQA correspondence and literature will reflect the letter and spirit of this policy

Responsibility

The Directors of Human Resources and Organisational Development, in consultation with the trade unions, has the responsibility for the formulation of the relevant policies and for monitoring their implementation. The Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development is responsible for devising and implementing appropriate procedures. Whenever necessary, the Scottish Qualifications Authority will seek the specialist help and advice of appropriate advisory bodies, eg Equal Opportunities Commission, Commission for Racial Equality and the Disability Rights Commission, in resolving any problem that might arise in the implementation and development of this and related policies. However, personal responsibility for the successful operation of this policy lies with every member of staff of the Scottish Qualifications Authority, particularly those responsible for the recruitment, selection, management and supervision of staff.