Equality and Diversity

Gas Contractor is First in the Country to Achieve ‘Committed2Equality’ Accreditation across the Whole Company

Wed, August 31th, 2011
Sure Group is fully committed to equality and diversity in the work place and community. This commitment has been endorsed today, when it was confirmed that Sure Group is the first and only gas contractor in the Country to achieve ‘Committed2Equality’ Standards and Accreditation across the whole company.

Darren Cunningham, CEO, Sure Group said “This Award is great news for us, as achieving C2E Standards and Accreditation demonstrates, and provides clear evidence of Sure Group’s equality and diversity practices. We will continue to ensure that the culture of equality and inclusion is at the heart of our business.”

Vivienne Duke, Chief Executive, Equality Accreditation Services, who supported Sure Group through the c2e programme, said “Sure Group have clearly demonstrated their commitment to equality and our advisor team very much enjoyed working with them. There is a clear culture of inclusion at Sure Group backed up by strong leadership and a very committed team. Their Equality Champion, Rachel Bennett, was a pleasure to work with and developed a robust improvement plan which is already having a positive impact in employee and customer relations. Working predominantly on public sector contracts, Sure Group can clearly see the value and business drivers for equality accreditation – enhancing existing client relationships and gaining a competitive advantage in future tendering opportunities.”

We recognise that discrimination is unacceptable and although equality of opportunity has been a long standing feature of our employment practices and procedure, we have made the decision to adopt a formal equal opportunities policy. Breaches of the policy will lead to disciplinary proceedings and, if appropriate, disciplinary action.

The aim of the policy is to ensure no job applicant, employee or worker is discriminated against either directly or indirectly on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religious belief, political opinion or affiliation, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, age or disability.

We will ensure that the policy is circulated to any agencies responsible for our recruitment and a copy of the policy will be made available for all employees and made known to all applicants for employment.

The policy will be communicated to all private contractors reminding them of their responsibilities towards the equality of opportunity.

The policy will be implemented in accordance with the appropriate statutory requirements and full account will be taken of all available guidance and in particular any relevant Codes of Practice. 6. We will maintain a neutral working environment.

Clare Jolly (pictured left), Employment Advisor, Supported Employment Services, Salford Council, and Pat Grannell, Volunteer Administrator, First Step Trust. Sure Group has joined forces with First Step Trust and Salix Homes in a worthwhile partnership to proactively support the local community and local business - Sure Group has agreed to contract with "First Step Trust" Garage in Weaste, Salford to repair and service the Sure Group fleet, which includes the Sure Group Salix Homes vehicles.