Equal Opportunity Policy
Money Advice Direct operates under a strict Equal Opportunities Policy.
Statement of Equal Opportunity Policy
- Money Advice Direct is fully committed to the principle of equal opportunities in recruitment and employment and opposes all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination including those on the grounds of:
- age
- disability
- ethnic or national origin
- HIV status
- marital status
- nationality (including citizenship)
- race
- religion
- sex
- sexual orientation
- Money Advice Direct aims to treat all employees with dignity and respect and provide a working environment free from all discrimination. It will conduct its affairs at all times in a manner that is consistent with this aim.
- Money Advice Direct believes that it is in the organisations best interests, and of those that work in it, to ensure that the human resources, talents and skills available throughout the country are considered when employment opportunities arise.
- To this end, within the framework of the law, Money Advice Direct is committed to achieving and maintaining, whenever practicable, a workforce which broadly reflects the entire country.
- Every possible step will be taken to ensure that employees and job applicants are treated equally and fairly and that decisions on recruitment, selection, training, promotion, pay and career management are based solely on objective and job related criteria.
- Criteria for dismissal, including redundancy, will be solely those consistent with the provisions of Money Advice Direct Disciplinary and Dismissals Procedure and the Employment Stability Policy.
- Money Advice Direct will comply both with the spirit as well as the letter of legislation*. The existence of law cannot of itself ensure that any policy of non-discrimination will work effectively - it is up to the Management, Trade Unions and employees themselves to promote equality of opportunity for everyone.
- Individual employees, therefore, at all levels are responsible for ensuring that their own conduct, in the exercise of Money Advice Direct's affairs, is consistent with this equal opportunities policy. In particular they must not:
- discriminate against colleagues, other employees or job applicants, or harass them;
- induce, or attempt to induce, other employees to practice unlawful discrimination;
- victimise individuals who have made allegations or complaints of discrimination, or provided information about such discrimination.
- Management and supervisors at all levels are expected to set an example in non-discriminatory behaviour and to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, that employees act in accordance with this policy.
- Money Advice Direct supports the principle and use of monitoring to ensure the effective operation of the policy. This will be undertaken by the Equal Opportunities Development Group who will report their findings annually to the Chief Officers' Team and the Resources Management Sub-Committee. All monitoring will respect the confidentiality of the individuals concerned.
- Money Advice Direct will treat seriously any breaches of this policy and all instances of actual, or alleged inappropriate behaviour, will be fully investigated and may be subject to Money Advice Direct's disciplinary procedures.
- Grievances concerning discrimination will be investigated in accordance with The UK Insolvency Helpline's normal Grievance Procedure.
- Money Advice Direct will identify any scope for the provision of training and encouragement to assist in overcoming barriers to progression and appointment.
- In order to achieve effective implementation of the policy, Money Advice Direct will ensure that this Policy Statement is bought to the attention of all employees.
* Legislative references
- The Sex Discrimination Acts 1975 and 1986
- The Race Relations Acts 1976
- The Disabled Persons (Employment) Acts 1944 and 1958
- Equal Pay Act 1970 and Equal Pay(Amendment) Regulations 1983
IVA's
The IVA Guide
Money Advice Direct has put together an IVA Guide based on the enquiries and questions that we receive at our helpline offices.
In the guide we cover such subjects as IVA Approval, early settlment of your IVA, missed IVA payments, IVA failure, additional debt claims and much more.
[click here for IVA Guide]
What is an IVA?
The IVA is an extremely powerful tool enabling you to clear your debt and return to a clean financial bill of health. Visit Money Advice Direct's Guide to Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs).
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DANGER
Due to the tremendous demand for debt consolidation services the United Kingdom is now overloaded with debt management companies that contain misleading information. [more...]