Discrimination, Harassment, and Bullying Policy
Seven Steps Support Ltd is committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination, harassment, and bullying. This policy applies to all employees and covers discrimination on the grounds of disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, creed, colour, race, ethnic origin, religion or belief.
Definition of Discrimination, Harassment, and Bullying
Discrimination is treating someone unfairly because of their protected characteristics. Harassment is unwanted conduct related to a person’s protected characteristics, which violates their dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment. Bullying is behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or undermine someone, which may involve the misuse of power or position.
Examples of discrimination, harassment, and bullying may include offensive comments, unwelcome physical contact, exclusion from team activities, malicious rumors, and unjustified criticism.
Our Approach
All employees have a personal responsibility to not discriminate, harass, or bully other members of staff. If an employee witnesses or becomes aware of any incidents of discrimination, harassment, or bullying, they should report it immediately to their manager or through their staff portal app. The report should include as many details as possible about the event, who has involved, the time and date, what happened, and how it has made them feel. We encourage employees to speak up and report any incidents without fear of retaliation.
Where management considers that there may be evidence of discrimination, harassment, or bullying, they may consider it appropriate to undertake a full investigation of the circumstances. The investigation will be conducted with sensitivity and confidentiality, and information will only be shared to a very limited extent in order to investigate and resolve the situation. We have a robust data security and privacy policy that also covers this.
Disciplinary action may be taken against employees found guilty of engaging in discriminatory, harassing, or bullying behavior. This may include verbal or written warnings, demotions, suspensions, or termination of employment. The appeals process for any disciplinary actions taken as a result of an investigation is covered by our disciplinary policy.
Employees who have been affected by discriminatory, harassing, or bullying behavior can access support services such as counseling or employee assistance programs. All reports of discrimination, harassment, or bullying will be taken seriously, investigated thoroughly, and resolved promptly.
The effectiveness of this policy will be reviewed annually.