Diversity & inclusion statement

Good creative work needs a variety of opinions and points of view. Diversity of voice, background and culture offers better scrutiny of ideas, and some assurance that your ideas are inclusive and appeals to as broad an audience as possible.  

At Hack Creative, we believe in the highly creative work that a diverse team can produce, and a working environment centred around equality, empathy and respect. We want our people to feel valued and heard, no matter their background, culture, opinions or standing within the organisation.

We are guided by our values in everything we do, and diversity, equity and inclusion is a critical element of that. We want our people to work in an environment where they feel seen and heard, can make the best of their talents and contribute actively to the success of the company.

We work within the spirit and practice of the Equality Act 2010, promoting a culture of respect and dignity, with a zero tolerance approach to discrimination. We employ based on merit, not race, gender or where the candidate went to school. We ensure that no employee experiences any barriers to seeking new opportunities for training and development, promotion and career planning. We continuously support our people, from the leadership down, to demonstrate the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion in our everyday activities, roles and functions.

1. Purpose

This policy sets out our approach to equality and diversity. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity. We promote a culture that actively values difference and recognises that people from different backgrounds and experiences can bring valuable insights to the workplace and enhance the way we work. 

We aim to be an inclusive company, committed to providing equal opportunities throughout employment including in the recruitment, training and development of employees. We proactively tackle and aim to eliminate discrimination.

2. Equality and diversity

Equality, to us, means breaking down barriers and eliminating discrimination. It means ensuring equal opportunities and access for all groups in employment, and to goods and services. 

We consider diversity to mean acknowledging the value that difference of background can bring to our organisation. Each person is an individual with visible and non-visible differences. By respecting this, everyone can feel valued for their contributions. This is beneficial for the individual, the wider company and the work we produce. 

We acknowledge that equality and diversity are not interchangeable but interdependent. There can be no equality of opportunity if difference is not valued and harnessed.

This policy refers to the protected characteristics of sex, gender reassignment, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, neurodiversity, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity.

3. Scope 

The rights and obligations set out in this policy apply equally to all employees: part- or full-time, on a substantive or fixed-term contract, and associated persons, such as secondees, agency staff, contractors and others employed under a contract of service. 

Everyone working with Hack Creative has a personal responsibility for the application of this policy. As part of your employee induction, you are expected to read and familiarise yourself with this policy. 

You must ensure that this policy is properly observed and fully complied with. You are required to complete the declaration below. This policy is also of particular relevance to directors, line managers and other employees concerned with recruitment, training and promotion procedures, and employment decisions that affect others.

4. Our commitment 

Every employee is entitled to a working environment that promotes dignity, equality and respect for all. We will not tolerate any acts of unlawful or unfair discrimination (including harassment) committed against an employee, contractor, job applicant or visitor because of a protected characteristic. These include: 

• Sex

• Gender reassignment

• Marriage and civil partnership

• Pregnancy and maternity

• Race (including ethnic origin, colour, nationality and national origin)

• Disability

• Sexual orientation

• Religion and or belief

• Age

Discrimination on the basis of work pattern (part-time working, fixed term contract, flexible working) which is unjustifiable will also not be tolerated. 

All employees will be encouraged to develop their skills and fulfil their potential. They should take advantage of training, development and progression opportunities. Selection for employment, promotion, training, or any other benefit will be on the basis of aptitude and ability only. 

We do not tolerate any form of intimidation, bullying or harassment. If you believe that you may have suffered discrimination due to any of the protected characteristics listed above, you should consider the appropriateness and feasibility of attempted informal resolution by discussion in the first instance with your manager or another colleague. 

If you feel this is not fully dealt with, you can raise a formal grievance with the directors of Hack Creative. Allegations regarding potential breaches of this policy will be treated in confidence and investigated thoroughly. We will also ensure that individuals who make such allegations in good faith will not be victimised or treated less favourably as a result. 

False allegations of a breach in policy which are found to have been made in bad faith will be dealt with as a disciplinary issue, however. Any person found to have breached this policy may be subject to disciplinary action. Employees may be personally liable for any acts of discrimination prohibited by this policy that they commit. This means that they could be sued by the victim.

5. When does this policy apply? 

This policy applies to all conduct in the workplace and to conduct outside of the workplace related to your work (e.g. meetings, social events and social interactions with colleagues) or which may impact on the reputation of Hack Creative (e.g. expressing views on social media, contrary to the commitments expressed in this policy, that could be linked to Hack Creative). 

We set out below some specific areas of application: 

a) Recruitment Selection will be on the basis of merit, aptitude and ability. Where possible, we will measure applicants’ diversity demographics during recruitment processes to promote the elimination of unlawful discrimination. 

b) We may offer training to encourage the promotion of the principles of this policy from time to time. 

c) All promotion decisions will be made on the basis of merit, It will not be influenced by any of the protected characteristics listed above. Promotion opportunities will be monitored to ensure equality of opportunity at all levels. Where appropriate, steps will be taken to identify and remove unnecessary or unjustifiable barriers to promotion. 

d) During employment, benefits, terms and conditions of employment, and facilities available to employees will be subject to regular reviews, to ensure that access is not restricted by unlawful means. We will provide appropriate conditions to meet the special needs of disadvantaged or under-represented groups.