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Unison has written an equality statement for employers to jointly agree with their staff and trade unions on how to deal with sexual orientation and gender identity in the workplace.

It includes employers to commit to:

·         recognise and value the diversity of its workforce and create an environment where the sexual orientation and gender identity of all workers and service users is respected

·         not make assumptions about people’s sexual orientation, gender identity, relationships or caring responsibilities

·         not discriminate, either directly or indirectly, against job applicants or workers on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity

·          not tolerate prejudice or harassment and investigate any complaints of discrimination or harassment

·          take positive steps to promote equality and tackle discrimination

·         provide a supportive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and gender (LGBT) workers and service users who wish their sexuality to be known, and respect the confidentiality of those who do not

·         publicise its sexual orientation and gender identity statement widely and include it is in its equality strategy and equality action plan

·         include these equality issues in existing training programmes, and run specific appropriate training

Full version of Unison’s model equality statement