Creating a positive workplace for our staff

We aim to be recognised as a responsible employer to both current and potential employees, investing in our staff and creating an environment in which they can realise their full potential.

Diversity and equality

We are committed to working towards a diverse organisation and to valuing the visible and non-visible individual differences of our staff. Initiatives include:

• Ensuring that there are no barriers implicit in our policies and procedures.
• A Diversity Council, providing a consultative forum for diversity issues.
• Diversity training for all staff.
• Promotional activities throughout the year.
• Recruiting staff in accordance with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, and operating a system of fair and open competition.

We have also been awarded the ‘two ticks’ symbol, which demonstrates our commitment to disabled people.

Health and safety

We are committed to the provision of a safe and healthy working environment. Our proactive approach includes:

• A range of Health and Safety policies and procedures that help the office, our managers and staff to meet legislative standards and best practice.
• Regular consultation with staff, union representatives and senior management
• A rolling three-year Health and Safety inspection programme across all locations where our staff work.
• Promoting awareness and understanding of Health and Safety via numerous routes including training programmes, notice boards, our intranet and through the promotion of national and international campaigns, e.g. European Week for Health and Safety
• Well-established welfare systems for staff, including occupational health and counselling services and the support of flexible working where possible.

Our health and safety policy (PDF, 380 kB)

Staff development

We are committed to helping our staff learn new skills and competencies relevant to their job and career aspirations. This includes study leave and funding where applicable, alongside in-house courses.

In recognition of our investment in the training and development of our staff, we continue to hold the Investors in People standard. Staff can also undertake a number of other courses such as foreign language training, and we have held Learning@work weeks offering staff the opportunity to learn about various subjects, from work-based to extra-curricular interests.