Orkney and Shetland Valuation Joint Board is committed to removing inequalities that often arise because of race. In this context "race" includes colour, race, nationality, ethnic and national origins.

Legal Requirements

We shall comply with all relevant legal provisions and good practice guidelines concerning issues of race, for example, the Race Relations Act 1976, (as amended by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000).

Policy and Procedures

Our policies and procedures will take account of the voluntary codes of practice on race that cover employment and our core services.

Partnerships

We shall seek to develop partnerships with representatives of black & ethnic minority groups in Orkney and Shetland, involving them in decisions which affect their lives.

Racism, Discrimination, Racial Aggravation and Racially Aggravated Harassment

We are committed to tackling racism, any form of aggravation, harassment and discrimination, either direct or indirect, on grounds of race.

Employment

We shall develop positive employment procedures to ensure the selection and recruitment process is accessible to people irrespective of race.

Service Accessibility

We shall review services provided on a regular basis to ensure that they meet the needs of ethnic minorities and take appropriate steps to remedy deficiencies identified.

Contractors

We shall encourage contractors to support the codes of practice on race issues.

Monitoring

We shall implement monitoring systems to cover areas such as follows: numbers of employees by ethnic origin; grades of such employees; training and types of training provided.

Communication and Publicity

We shall communicate all relevant policies to employees. We shall promote positive actions to counteract racism in the workplace and in the broader community. Summary information on Joint Board policies will be available to the general public on request.

Employee Development

We shall ensure that staff briefings and training programmes enhance awareness of race issues, both in respect of employees and service users.

Standards

We shall strive to ensure that information is readily accessible to members of the community and that such documentation is unbiased from a race perspective.

Complaints

Complaints regarding discrimination on grounds of race will be viewed seriously and dealt with timeously. For example, racial discrimination found in the workplace against employees will result in appropriate disciplinary action being taken.

Policy Review

We shall review policies on a regular basis and consult with employees, ethnic minorities, and the community in general on issues concerning racial matters that affect their lives.