The PDS is committed to ensuring equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
As part of the MoJ, the PDS is committed to ensuring equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. To fulfil this commitment, several diversity champions have been appointed both in the wider organisation and within the PDS itself.
The PDS is committed to ensuring compliance with the Civil Service diversity strategy
Eliminating unlawful discrimination and promoting equality and diversity within our policies, practices and procedures applies to our professional dealings with clients, staff, other solicitors, barristers, and third parties. We treat everyone equally and with the same attention, courtesy and respect regardless of: –
- Sex (including marital status, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity and paternity).
- Sexual orientation (including civil Directorship status).
- Race or racial group (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins).
- Religion or belief.
- Age.
- Care and responsibility.
- Disability.
The PDS will treat all employees and job applicants equally and fairly and not unlawfully discriminate against them. Further information about recruitment is detailed at Section 4a. Furthermore, promotion within the PDS will be made without reference to any of the forbidden grounds and will be based solely on merit.
The PDS will treat seriously all complaints of unlawful discrimination on any of the forbidden grounds. All complaints will be investigated in accordance with the grievance procedure and the complainant will be informed of the outcome.
Any acts of unlawful discrimination on any of the forbidden grounds made by PDS employees or other third parties will be dealt with by way of the MoJ disciplinary procedure (see Section 4i).
All staff are given unconscious bias, and equality and diversity training annually through civil service learning.
The PDS will provide reasonable adjustments where these may be required by any member of staff. If further assistance about reasonable adjustments is required, then enquiries can be addressed to: diversity-and-inclusion-team@justice.gov.uk.