Company Policies

Statement of policy and purpose of policy

1. Nordens Accountants (the Employer) is committed to equal opportunities for all staff and applicants.
2. It is our policy that all employment decisions are based on merit and the legitimate business needs of the organisation. The Employer does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour or nationality, ethnic or national origins, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, disability, religion or belief, age or any other ground on which it is or becomes unlawful to discriminate under the laws of England, Wales and Scotland (referred to as Protected Characteristics).
3. Our intention is to enable all our staff to work in an environment which allows them to fulfill their potential without fear of discrimination, harassment or victimisation. The Employer's commitment to equal opportunities extends to all aspects of the working relationship including:
   • recruitment and selection procedures
   • terms of employment, including pay, conditions and benefits
   • training, appraisals, career development and promotion
   • work practices, conduct issues, allocation of tasks, discipline and grievances
   • work-related social events
   • termination of employment and matters after termination, including references
4. This policy is intended to help the Employer achieve its diversity and anti-discrimination aims by clarifying the responsibilities and duties of all staff in respect of equal opportunities and discrimination.
5. The principles of non-discrimination and equal opportunities also apply to the way in which staff treat visitors, clients, customers, suppliers and former staff members.
6. This is a statement of policy only and does not form part of your contract of employment. This policy may be amended at any time by the Employer, in its absolute discretion.

Who is responsible for equal opportunities?

Achieving an equal opportunities workplace is a collective task shared between the Employer and all its staff. This policy and the rules contained in it therefore apply to all staff of the Employer irrespective of seniority, tenure and working hours, including all employees, directors and officers, consultants and contractors, casual or agency staff, trainees, homeworkers and fixed-term staff and any volunteers or interns.

What is discrimination?

Discrimination occurs in different ways, some more obvious than others. Discrimination on the grounds of any of the Protected Characteristics is prohibited by law, even if unintentional, unless a particular exception applies.

• Direct discrimination is less favourable treatment because of one of the Protected Characteristics.
• Indirect discrimination arises when an employer applies an apparently neutral provision which in fact puts individuals with a particular Protected Characteristic at a disadvantage.
• Victimisation means treating a person less favourably because they have made a complaint of discrimination.
• Harassment is unwanted conduct which is related to a Protected Characteristic and which has the purpose or effect of violating a person's dignity.

What to do if you encounter discrimination

If you believe that you have been the victim of discrimination, you should follow the Employer's Grievance Procedure. Every member of Staff has a responsibility to combat discrimination if they encounter it.

Non-compliance with equal opportunities rules

Any breach of equal opportunities rules or failure to comply with this policy will be taken very seriously and is likely to result in disciplinary action against the offender, up to and including immediate dismissal.

Nordens Accountants is committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity in our business activities. The Employer has a zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption and is committed to acting professionally, fairly, and with integrity in all business dealings and relationships.

Staff must not offer, promise, give, request, or accept any bribe. A bribe includes any inducement, reward, or object/financial advantage to or from any person in order to gain any commercial, contractual, regulatory, or personal advantage.

Staff must not threaten or retaliate against another individual who has refused to commit a bribery offence or who has raised concerns about possible bribery or corruption.

Any breach of this policy will be regarded as a serious matter and is likely to result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.

Nordens Accountants encourages all staff to raise concerns about any issue or suspicion of malpractice at the earliest possible stage. The Employer is committed to ensuring that no member of staff suffers a detriment as a result of raising a genuine concern in good faith.

This policy applies to all staff including employees, officers, consultants, contractors, volunteers, interns, casual workers and agency workers.

Concerns may be raised verbally or in writing, including by email. Concerns should normally be raised with your line manager. If you feel unable to do so, you may raise the concern with the HR Manager or a Director.

The Employer will not tolerate the victimisation of anyone raising a genuine concern. Any person found to have victimised or retaliated against someone raising a concern will face disciplinary action.

Nordens Accountants is committed to minimising the environmental impact of its business activities. We recognise the importance of environmental protection and are committed to operating in a sustainable and responsible manner.

We aim to:

• Comply with all relevant environmental legislation and approved codes of practice
• Minimise waste by evaluating operations and ensuring they are as efficient as possible
• Minimise toxic emissions through the selection and use of our fleet and the careful planning of routes
• Actively promote recycling both internally and among customers and suppliers
• Source and promote a product range to minimise the environmental impact of both production and distribution
• Meet or exceed all environmental legislation that relates to the firm

Nordens Accountants is committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of all its employees, so far as is reasonably practicable. The Employer will also ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that non-employees who may be affected by our activities are not exposed to risks to their health and safety.

We accept our responsibility for the health and safety of other people who may be affected by our activities. All employees have a duty to cooperate with the firm to achieve a healthy and safe workplace and to take reasonable care of themselves and others.

Nordens Accountants is committed to being transparent about how it collects and uses personal data and to meeting its data protection obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

The firm collects and processes personal data relating to its employees, clients and suppliers. This data is held and processed in accordance with the firm's data protection policy and all applicable regulations.

For more details on how we handle your personal data, please see our Privacy Policy.