Equality, diversity and inclusion policy
Introduction
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) at Magna. We follow and meet all equality, diversity and inclusion legislative, statutory and regulatory requirements. This includes the Equality Act 2010 and the Human Rights Act 1998.
We seek to learn from good practice and implement this where we can.
Who this policy applies to and what it covers:
This policy applies to our colleagues, customers and anyone else we interact with.
The aims of this policy are to:
- Clearly define what EDI means to us.
- Outline our commitment to EDI.
- Define our values, ensuring inclusion is clearly represented.
- Set out our inclusion objectives and everyone’s responsibilities to ensure our inclusion objectives are met.
What EDI means to us
Equality – we recognise that everyone’s needs are different, and we ensure that everyone is treated according to their needs, and no-one is treated unfairly or discriminated against because of their characteristics.
Diversity – we recognise and value the differences in all of us. The differences that you can see and those that you can’t. We are proud to represent diversity in our society.
Inclusion – with a strong foundation in equality and diversity, we can be inclusive. We ensure that our ways of working enable everyone to take part; no-one feels left out. People can be themselves and feel that they belong.
Our Inclusion Vision
We are committed to making everyone feel included, and valued, at Magna. We will be an organisation that is known for being inclusive and welcoming for all.
To achieve our vision, mission, priorities and strategy, we need to be inclusive. It is the foundation of how we work, our culture and our values, and how we make sure our customer and colleague experiences are welcoming and relevant.
Our successes come through an appreciation of our differences in perspectives, experiences, thoughts, actions and skills. These differences all add value, and through collaboration, encourages innovation.
Recognising and embracing our customers’ differences will enable us to offer the right homes in the right place for our customers and the right services to support their needs.
At Magna, everyone is valued. We celebrate your difference and support you.
Our Inclusion Objectives
We have created five objectives to help us achieve our inclusion vision. We will:
- Build equality, diversity and inclusion into everything we do
- Consider everyone in what we do, the decisions we make and the culture we create
- Own our commitment; understanding who we are, what is going well, and what needs to improve
- Safeguard ourselves and each other, removing barriers, shifting bias and tackling prejudice
- Share stories that make us all feel proud, inspired and enlightened.
Our Inclusion Commitments
We know that our work on inclusion needs to be relevant. We’ve therefore created our inclusion commitments to explain what this means to different groups.
To our colleagues:
We will be an employer where talented and ambitious people enjoy rewarding and fulfilling careers in an inspirational environment. We recognise that it’s not enough to just be compliant with equality legislation. Employees today want more from their employer. They want to feel part of something: it’s more than just a job.
To create that feeling of belonging, we will be an inclusive employer – our employees are our colleagues. We value each and every one of them and their experiences, perceptions, opinions and skills. These differences both enable our organisation to operate optimally and allow our colleagues to feel valued, included and encouraged, whatever their role, background, ability or orientation. Everyone is valued, and everyone is part of the Magna we are developing.
To our customers:
We exist to provide great homes for our customers. To do this, we need to understand them and their needs –now and into the future. We aim to provide the services that are needed through our day-to-day repairs and housing work but also consider the future and make decisions now that will be fit for purpose for their future needs. This extends to the design of, and investment in, our future homes. To be successful at understanding our customers and their needs, we will gather our customers views and ensure that everyone feels listened to and heard, regardless of their background or situation.
To our communities and partners:
The work we do extends beyond our employees and the customers living in the homes we manage. We have relationships with suppliers of materials and labour, representative groups, regulatory bodies and many more. We also connect with future colleagues and future customers through the engagement we do with schools and community groups.
Our work on inclusion needs to extend into our communities. We will be a role model and help influence change for good. Through our work on inclusion, we will ensure that those we work with are also embracing similar ways of operating for their connections too.
Our Magna Values
Our Magna values have been designed with inclusion in mind. We expect all our colleagues to understand our values and to demonstrate them every day.
Achieving our inclusion vision, objectives, values and commitments is really important to us. We take seriously any behaviour that is contrary and detrimental to these. We investigate any potential breaches of the legislation or regulations on equality, diversity and inclusion.
For colleagues, we address this through the managing behaviour procedure. Serious behaviour, acts or omissions, are treated as gross misconduct and could lead to termination of employment.
For customers, we address this through the unacceptable customer behaviour policy. Serious behaviour, acts or omissions, may be classed as a breach of tenancy and could lead to the tenancy being terminated.
For our suppliers, this is investigated by the Procurement department, or their nominee. Serious behaviour, acts or omissions, may lead to termination of contract and/or ceasing future relationships.
Responsibilities
Everyone has a part to play to ensure that our inclusion objectives are achieved.
Magna’s Strategic Board – own the inclusion vision and values at Magna. They set the direction and standard and ensure that decision making at the Board and Committees considers EDI opportunities and risks.
Magna’s Executive Board – actively champion our work on inclusion, internally and externally, ensuring that inclusion is a key component of strategy. They demonstrate through their own actions how vital this work is to Magna. They hold the leadership team to account in the delivery of the inclusion action plan.
Magna’s leadership team – create and deliver the inclusion action plan. They show active demonstration of inclusion at Magna through internal and external promotion. They join inclusion networks to drive best practice and share insights. They are role models through visible action, personal development and demonstration of the values. They hold each other, and their teams, to account in living our Magna values. They drive inclusion performance and implement positive action.
Magna managers – all managers at Magna are responsible for demonstrating and upholding our Magna values. They consider inclusion impacts as part of their day-to-day management of colleagues and business areas.
Magna colleagues – all colleagues at Magna are responsible for demonstrating the Magna values in their day-to-day work.
Magna customers – we ask that our customers support us to create an inclusive society through their actions, treating everyone with respect and courtesy.
Magna partners - contractors and suppliers are responsible for adhering to this policy and communicating the policy to their staff. Working with Magna,
they must ensure their own employment practices are non-discriminatory and inform us of any perceived or actual incidence/s of unlawful discrimination.
Policy breaches
All concerns or complaints will be investigated promptly, fairly, and confidentially. Actions found to be inconsistent with the principles of this policy may result in further action in line with established procedures. The organisation is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment, and encourages all colleagues, customers, suppliers and members of our communities to speak up if they witness or experience behaviour that undermines these values.