Equality

We recognise that discrimination is unacceptable and although equality of opportunity has been a long-standing feature of our employment practices and procedures our equal opportunities policy now falls under the wider remit of the Equality Act 2010, which covers not just our employees but service users also.

The act covers nine protected characteristics, which cannot be used as a reason to treat people unfairly. Every person has one or more of the protected characteristics, so the act protects everyone against unfair treatment. The protected characteristics are:

• age
• disability
• gender reassignment
• marriage and civil partnership
• pregnancy and maternity
• race
• religion or belief
• sex
• sexual orientation

The Equality Act sets out the different ways in which it is unlawful to treat someone, such as direct and indirect discrimination, harassment, victimisation and failing to make a reasonable adjustment for a disabled person.

The act prohibits unfair treatment in the workplace, when providing goods, facilities and services, when exercising public functions, in the disposal and management of premises, in education and by associations (such as private clubs).

As a matter of good practice and good business Echotech shall treat everyone employed by us or accessing our services fairly, regardless of their age, gender, race, sexual orientation, disability, gender reassignment, religion or belief, and the company shall guard against making assumptions about the characteristics of individuals.