Diversity and Equality Policy

Our Diversity and Equality Policy is to:

Ensure that we recruit and retain the very best volunteers and staff from a wide variety of sources
Value our volunteers and staff and the differences between them
Harness those differences to improve our service to callers
Promote diversity and equality in a proactive way to underpin our service to the callers
Ensure that all our Policies, Procedures and working practices are free from any form of unlawful or unfair discrimination

In carrying this out we will:

Eliminate any harassment or unjustifiable discrimination against anyone for any reason, including their race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion, sex or sexual orientation, working pattern, marital status, gender reassignment, disability, age, political opinion or family status
Ensure the effectiveness of the policy by making it encompass all areas of our work
Ensure that we make every effort to achieve equality of access to all sites used by Samaritans
Ask Branches to regularly review their activities in the light of the need to achieve the Diversity and Equality Policy
Display the Policy on all premises and sites used by Samaritans

Rules of Behaviour

The rules of behaviour should be viewed in the light of the commitment to eliminate discrimination and harassment against individuals and particular groups set out above. The following types of behaviour are unacceptable

Attacks on individuals or groups on the basis of their race, gender, ethnic origin, disability or sexual orientation
Discriminatory name calling, insulting remarks, jokes or threats
Encouraging other people to harass or discriminate against another individual or group
Displaying insignia/slogans/literature which may cause offence whilst on Samaritan business or on Samaritan premises